One military-conscious corporation is trailblazing the way for companies that want to meet the needs of their customers and also value sacrifice and service.
Caliber Home Loans, an awarded Military Friendly Brand and nationwide mortgage lending company, understands the unique needs of the military community and is in the business of legacy-making, offering authentic, compassionate relationships along with the services it provides.
Caliber’s mission is to make the dream of home ownership a reality for active-duty service members, veterans and their families. While it always provides top-notch education and resources for potential homeowners, Caliber’s appreciation of the military lifestyle goes above and beyond by supporting a multitude of military-focused initiatives, businesses and philanthropic nonprofits.
Read: Caliber Military Spouse Council aims to address key issues for homebuyers
In 2018, Caliber added National Director of Military Engagement Brittany Boccher to its team to gain first-hand access to what military community members were thinking, feeling and experiencing on the ground. Boccher was tasked with community building, creating advocacy opportunities and leveraging her relationships within the military spouse community for the greater good.
“We have found the only way we will have a fundamental understanding of the pain points directly affecting the people we are trying to serve is through listening to the military spouse community,” said Bryan Bergjans, Caliber’s National Military Director of Lending.
Military Families Magazine spoke with several spouses that Caliber supports. We present testimonials and thoughts on how the corporation has helped elevate their diverse and important causes.
Brittany Boccher, National Director of Military Engagement, Caliber Home Loans
2017 AFI Military Spouse of the Year
“If Caliber wants to be there to celebrate with our community when they achieve the dream of home ownership, they should also seek to be present throughout all of the challenges we face.”
When Boccher began to see the whole military community as a family she used her voice to speak up for a plethora of needs, issues and pain points. Through her efforts at Caliber Home Loans, a multitude of military influencers have been empowered and financially supported to make an immense impact in the military community. These impacts have made it possible for military and veteran families to find a place to call home.
Lindsey Litton, Co-Founder, MilHousing Network
2019 AFI Air Force Academy Spouse of the Year
“Caliber Home Loans and MilHousing Network have a flourishing and long-standing partnership. Caliber deeply cares about the military community and supports initiatives that serve the military community well. Caliber’s support enables us to serve this community with quality resources and contextualized services.”
Litton experienced firsthand what it felt like to buy homes without working with military experts in real estate. This led her to co-found MilHousing Network, a company providing PCS resources, training materials and education about home ownership and first-time home buying. MilHousing Network consists of a group of pre-screened real estate professionals, allowing military community members to successfully work toward achieving home ownership.
Megan Harless, PCS Reform Advocate
2020 AFI Red River Army Depot Spouse of the Year
“With the support of Caliber Home Loans, I can continue to educate and equip all of the service providers and professionals associated with military moves. The hope is to help military community members PCS smoothly and without major issue. Relieving the stress surrounding this process is the ultimate goal.”
Harless, host of the “PCS Like a Pro” show, is actively working to change the landscape of the military family PCS process. By advocating for reform, Megan is leading the charge through education and encouragement. She offers an online community and tangible print resources, like the PCS Like a Pro Guide and encourages military community members to get organized.
Brian Alvarado, Director, Military Spouse Programs, Hiring Our Heroes
2019 AFI Military Spouse of the Year
“When I think about the American dream and home ownership, I can think of no one more deserving than the military community. In order for our community to achieve this dream, they need solid, consistent and portable employment. Caliber continues to support this goal.”
Alvarado leads a team of 12 dedicated professionals who spend every day working to build programs in support of economic security for the military community through employment opportunities for military spouses.
Marla Bautista, Co-Founder, The Bautista Project Inc.
2019 AFI Fort Drum Army Spouse of the Year
“Caliber Home Loans has modeled the way for corporations to live out their core values by providing tangible support towards the fight to prevent and end veteran homelessness across the nation.”
Bautista is a fierce advocate, author and speaker. She co-founded The Bautista Project after her personal experience with homelessness, realizing the deep and consistent needs within the homeless community and deciding it was time to act. Bautista spends her time working in homelessness prevention and offering dignified support to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
Pam Bolado, Founder and CEO, Women Who Do Wonders International Inc.
2022 AFI NAS Pensacola Spouse of the Year
“When I think about Caliber’s support of Women Who Do Wonders, I am reminded of a quote by Mother Teresa. She talks about not being able to change the world alone, but having the ability to cast a stone across water to bring about change. Caliber has been my support to throw my stone.”
Women Who Do Wonders was developed to create a global community and platform that supports women around the globe. Bolado wanted to create something that could amplify the stories of women who inspired her. She sought to construct an organization that would shine a light on the amazing and awe-inspiring contributions of women in all spaces.
Krista Simpson Anderson, Gold Star Spouse and Founder, The Unquiet Professional
2018 AFI Military Spouse of the Year
“Caliber has created a program for my community that is the first of its kind. The Stars and Stripes Legacy Program was designed to help families of the fallen on their journey towards homeownership.”
The Unquiet Professional exists to serve Gold Star and surviving families by providing healthy and empowering opportunities to heal from the wounds of war. This nonprofit allows families of the fallen to pursue professional development and respite care and even provides emergency assistance. TUP also offers much-needed education about survivor benefits and entitlements through resources and raising awareness.
Julie Moser, Founder, Pink Warrior Angels of Texas, Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor
Army Spouse
“Caliber is growing with us. Supporting our major events, like our 5K, allows us to expand reach. Caliber helps our organization to stand in the gap for survivors, to guard against financial difficulties that can pile up and to help eliminate the compounding frustration survivors feel as they fight for their lives.”
As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Moser’s experience during treatment and recovery sparked her passion for creating Pink Warrior Angels. Her organization helps cancer survivors bridge some of the financial gaps and hardships created after the delivery of a difficult diagnosis. With so much financial need for treatment and life responsibilities, Pink Warrior Angels provides funding for tangible support.
Jennifer Pasquale, Founder and Director of Programing, Pride & Grit
Army Spouse, Veteran
“In 2021, we launched the first-ever Evolve retreat. Caliber supported us as one of the initial sponsors. Our ability to really hone in on our mission and serve our audience was completely tied to their sponsorship. Without Caliber, I don’t think we could have made the same impact or had the opportunity to repeat the event the following year.”
Pride and Grit is an organization dedicated to the personal development journey of seasoned spouses and spouses of transitioning service members. Its mission is to aid these men and women in the task of finding themselves again — to reclaim their identity in something separate from military service connections. Pasquale is passionate about helping military community members identify their talents, operate using their strengths and design the life they want beyond the military experience.
Jessica Manfre, Co-Founder, Inspire Up Foundation
2019 AFI Coast Guard Spouse of the Year
“Caliber has always believed in us and our mission. When we shared our vision of supplying Impact Grants to our community — funds to help support acts of kindness — Caliber immediately jumped at the opportunity. Because of their support, the world is a kinder place.”
The mission at Inspire Up is to increase generosity and kindness worldwide through acts of service. While the primary focus is within military and first responder communities, the organization also stands strong in the gap for all communities in need. #GivingTuesdayMilitary creates a unique opportunity for military community members to come together annually and also equips ambassadors across the world to serve their own communities.
Maria Reed, Creator, Moving with the Military
2019 AFI Army Spouse of the Year
“Unlike so many organizations who talk about their commitment to the military community, Caliber actually shows up. Before I could even finish the pitch about who we are and what we do, Caliber was on board. They get it and believe in the mission. We are on a mission to create the space for our community members to build the life they want.”
“Moving with the Military” is a home improvement and lifestyle series honoring those who serve with surprise home makeovers. Reed, after a 25-year career in the television industry, has created a show focused on sharing the military community stories and celebrating the families who serve. A visual storyteller, she pulls together everything she has learned about military life, interior design and television to produce the popular series.
Verenice Castillo, Founder, Military Spouse Advocacy Network
2013 AFI Air Force Spouse of the Year
“Caliber and I share a passion. We both want to make sure that we provide opportunities for spouses to receive mentorship and guidance. Impactful collaborations between corporations and nonprofit organizations can happen and, through them, we can educate, encourage and provide new opportunities for the military community.”
Castillo immigrated to the United States when she was only 16 years old. She left behind her family and country of origin, without any knowledge of the English language. Feeling out of place and lacking a sense of community, she longed for connection. Years later, after marrying a service member, the familiar feelings of disconnection returned. Upon realizing she couldn’t be the only one who wanted mentorship and community, she decided to do something about it and began mentoring and investing in younger spouses.
A commitment to continuing the work
By empowering spouses, Caliber Home Loans has pioneered what it means for companies to authentically show up for the military community, and it is doing the noble work of changing the landscape for the better.
At every stage, at every point, at any timeline during the military journey, Caliber is reaching out a hand to offer support.
“We’re here at every step,” said Boccher.
Because of Caliber’s intentional pursuit of military cultural competency, consistent support through giving and advocacy and an unending supply of compassion, this mortgage company is becoming the gold standard in military community engagement.
“Our work is nowhere near done,” said Bergjans. “There will always be a gap that needs to be filled or a segment of the military community who needs to be served. Here’s the truth — Caliber will be here to help.”
- Caliber Home Loans, Inc. and any above-mentioned companies are not affiliated.
- Testimonials are based on the individual’s experiences and may not represent the experience of all customers.
- © 2022 Caliber Home Loans, Inc., 1525 S. Belt Line Rd., Coppell, TX 75019. 1-800-401-6587. NMLS #15622 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not a commitment to lend. All loan programs are subject to credit, underwriting and property approval. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions apply.
