Join Yoga 4 Change for a virtual panel discussion exploring veteran homelessness, resilience, and pathways to stability.
Hear from professionals working across veteran employment, mental health, housing, and community support as we discuss the barriers veterans experiencing homelessness face—and the resources, relationships, and approaches that can support lasting stability and connection.
Meet our panelists:
Jonathan Montalvo | The Boley Centers
Irvin Flores | Veterans Mental Health Provider
Brian Lynch | VETSOME
Nathan Cantie | The Hope Shot
Moderated by Mary Keel, Yoga 4 Change South Florida Program Manager
Read full panelist bios below.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
11:30 AM–12:30 PM ET
Virtual via Zoom
Whether you work with veterans, support your community, or want to better understand veteran homelessness, we invite you to listen, learn, and join the conversation.
Nathan Cantie
Irvin Flores
Ms. Irvin Flores graduated from St. Thomas University with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2005. She is a published author with Volumes I and II of “Women Moving Forward: A Narrative of Resiliency through Migration and Trauma” and conducts research exploring Intergenerational Trauma for Cuban Political Prisoners. She has a background of work with domestic violence victims, offenders and the chronically mentally ill both in a community mental health and justice involved setting. She was involved in early Miami Dade County efforts to establish a Veteran Treatment Court as part of the Miami Dade Returning Task Force from 2008-2010 and has presented nationally on the importance of accurate treatment disposition for justice involved veterans with a focus on family issues and high conflict veteran families. Ms. Flores has served as Clinical Director for various Community agencies and has been with 10RCS Vet Centers-Department of Veterans Affairs since 2011. She is an Approved Supervisor by AAMFT and the State of Florida. She is also completing her Ph.D. in counselor Education with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy at Barry University. She has been recognized on numerous occasions for her drive and dedication to serving Veterans and their families earning special contribution awards during her tenure not only from the Secretary of the VA but recognition from military bodies including 841st Engineer Battalion, MARFORSOUTH-G3 and 3rd Group Special Forces Ranger Airborne.
Johnathan Montalvo
Johnathan Montalvo is a dedicated Veteran Employment Consultant at The Boley Centers, where he has served for over three years. In his role, he provides individualized vocational guidance, resume development, and strategic job-search support tailored to each Veteran’s unique background, skills, and career goals.
Johnathan works closely with employers to promote the hiring of Veterans and support compliance with federal contractor requirements. He also organizes job fairs and hiring events, connecting Veterans with more than 20 potential employers per event. Through partnerships with Veterans’ organizations, civic groups, and community partners, he continues to expand outreach efforts and create meaningful employment opportunities for Veterans.
Known for his commitment to service, relationship-building, and career development, Johnathan is passionate about helping Veterans overcome employment barriers and achieve long-term career success.
Brian Lynch
Brian is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, writer, philanthropist, father, and former military officer. After 15-years in the Marine Corps, he worked in the staffing business at the Fortune 200 firm Manpower, and was a senior executive in digital media video-on-demand (VOD) for in-flight entertainment, and creating affinity networks for rewards programs, casual/skill-based game platforms for Spirit Airlines, Aeromexico, and others. Other entrepreneurial ventures were as the COO for a start-up group social platform. He was also the CEO for a Veteran services organization, Connected Warriors, bringing trauma-conscious yoga to active-duty troops and Veterans globally.
He has worked with several philanthropies supporting our troops & their families, particularly iPads for Soldiers on Key Biscayne. He is a former member of the Red Cross’s Community Blueprint, supports David Lynch’s Operation Warrior Wellness, South Florida Adventures, and Shake A Leg Miami. His charity work extends throughout South Florida with former board seats at Children’s Harbor and then Keiser College, and has worked with The Ronald McDonald House. He was also the seminal Director for the United Way’s Mission United Veteran program in Miami, working with their board, and ad hoc Advisory Council, and six standing committees.
Brian is a mustang, having served in the enlisted and field grade officer ranks of The Marine Corps for fifteen years, with vast experience in small- and large-scale reconnaissance, light armor, and infantry operations in Special Operations Capable units. He participated in numerous disaster relief operations globally and ran a unique specialty school for light armored vehicles, the only school of its kind in the DoD. He was also one of the few company-grade officers selected to work with General officers in a think tank project titled Vision 21.
Brian has written two novels, including,Thorn in My Pride – a novel of the L.A. riots of 1992, where he was a lieutenant on the ground, leading Marines during the riots. The second is a story about a young woman Afghanistan turned revenge queen in, For Every Broken Bangle. A third work is in progress about the evacuation of Kabul in 2021 – told entirely from several cities in the US. He has a BS in Communications from Norwich University, and studied International Relations at the Marine Corps Command & Staff College. He is also a graduate of multiple other military schools and certifications, including Basic Reconnaissance Course, and Armor Officer Advanced Course. Brian lives in Miami with his bride, son and two dogs.
