SparkService — Records and document help for veterans
Get your records in order, in a place you control.
Who it's for
Veterans at any stage — recently separated, or decades out.
What happens
Working out which documents the VA actually needs, finding them, and getting them somewhere safe that belongs to you and not to a filing cabinet or a phone that might get lost.
Then making sure you know how to use it, so it still works for you in five years. If you can't get back into it on your own, we haven't finished.
We also help with whatever else has piled up — accounts you can't get into, a computer that's slowed to a crawl, a phone you'd like to understand better.
No cost to take part.
Nothing to pay, and nothing to sign up for.
One-to-one, in person or remotely, and in partnership with veteran-serving organizations across Colorado and Maryland.
Why this matters
Benefits, healthcare, education, and employment all now assume you can produce a document on demand and log into a portal.
Veterans who separated before that was true are at a disadvantage that has nothing to do with their capability, and everything to do with where their paperwork ended up.
How we work with Veterans
We partner with Veterans and veteran-serving organizations who know the system from the inside. They help us understand what actually matters, what the VA will ask for, and where the common sticking points are.
That partnership means our help is practical, respectful, and grounded in real experience — not assumptions about what Veterans should already know.
Three ways in
I want to take part
Tell us a little about what you need and we'll say where and when SparkService is running next — for you, or for someone you're asking on behalf of.
Ask about taking partWe want to host this
Care communities, shelters, libraries, schools, and community organizations — here's what hosting involves.
Host SparkServiceI want to help
Workshop volunteers, mentors, and interns. Patience matters more than technical skill.
Get involvedOr reach us directly: (303) 228-5535 · support@smallspark.org
Questions
Do you help with the claim itself, or just the documents?
The documents and the technology around them. We are not accredited to prepare or represent a claim — that's the job of a Veterans Service Officer or an accredited representative, and we'll help you get your paperwork ready for that conversation.
What if I've lost my DD-214?
We'll walk through the request process with you, help you fill in the forms, and make sure the copy you get back is stored somewhere you can reach it again.
Is my information private, and who can see it?
Your documents belong to you and go into storage you control. We don't keep copies of your records after a session, and we don't share anything with anyone without you asking us to.
Do I need to be enrolled in VA healthcare?
No. There's no enrollment requirement and no status we check.
Can you help me if I separated decades ago?
Yes — that's a large part of who we sit down with. Older records take longer to track down, and that's expected.
What if I don't have a computer?
We bring equipment to sessions and can set you up with storage you can reach from a phone or a library computer.
Do you work with my county veterans service officer?
Gladly. If you're already working with a CVSO or a veteran-serving organization, we can prepare your documents for what they've asked you to produce.
Is there any cost?
There is no cost to take part.