Page 43 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021 - Online Magazine

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as a single mother. She also cares for her mother
who has medical needs as well. Her greatest life
satisfaction has been overcoming challenges. She says
she is a warrior, not a worrier. She loves the outdoors,
horses, and spending quality time with her family
and friends. She thinks people should tell those they
love how grateful they are to have each other in their
lives, how much they are loved and blessed.

Tousha wants our young people to know that you
cannot take freedom for granted. Love of our country
and the ultimate sacrifices from our military heroes
and their families should never be forgotten. There
is more to just thanking a Veteran for their service.
PTSD, depression, and anxiety and did not know Never ask Veterans about how many people they
where to go for help. Since 2011, she has worked, have killed or shot. Take time to just listen to the
assisting other Veterans to access care. She wants to stories if they are willing to share experiences.
make sure all Service Members, Veterans, and their She highly encourages young people to volunteer
Families (SMVF) do not struggle alone but realize with MVPN, 7 Star Equine therapy, Ussery Roan
there is hope. She says she is truly blessed to have Texas State Veterans Home, and many other Veteran
the opportunity to continue serving in a different organizations. “We are so blessed to have amazing
capacity. In fact, she is on a mission to make a community support for our Veterans, but we still
difference. need to do more by volunteering our time. Our rural

Her role as a TVC (Texas Veteran Commission) communities desperately need more Volunteers/
certified Peer Service Coordinator for the Military Mentors to help service members, Veterans, and their
Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) covers the northern 21 families.”
counties of the Panhandle Region of Texas. MVPN is
a Veterans Mental Health Department under the TVC
and is locally operated by Texas Panhandle Centers If you are interested in becoming a volunteer/mentor
Behavioral and Developmental Health agency in and want information. you can reach Tousha by
Amarillo, Texas. She provides referrals, information, email, phone, or website for details: www.milvetpeer.
training, and peer support. She also mentors justice- net, Tousha.barnes@txpan.org or 806-341-0581.
involved Veterans and recruits volunteers. In many
of the rural communities,
there are shortages of
mental health services,
and she continues to
work hard to narrow that
gap.

Tousha has two young
boys who share her
love of the military and
America. One of her
children has special
needs. She is so proud
of her children and is
honored to raise them

Amarillo Senior Link 43