Yesterday, Easter Seals New York, in partnership with the Staff Sergeant Donnie D. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Community Services (Dixon Center), celebrated the launch of its Vets2Jobs program at BNY Mellon in Syracuse, NY. Keynote speaker, COL David W. Sutherland, United States Army, Retired, as well as other military, education, government, community and business leaders gathered to discuss critical employment and reintegration services for local veterans.
Today's service members and veterans are making significant contributions to their communities, but some face challenges during transition and reintegration. Many veterans struggling with unemployment live in communities – like Syracuse – that are working to better meet their immediate and long-term needs. Vets2Jobs is a local veterans initiative which builds on similar Easter Seals efforts throughout the country. Locally, Syracuse's economy has faced challenges over the past decades as industrial jobs have left the area. Currently, Syracuse has about 6,500 veterans, of whom 9.4% were in service during Gulf War and after. Vets2Jobs hopes to serve 150 veterans and their families within the next year by focusing on developing and fostering community supports and engaging employment and workforce programs.
"It is an honor to work with Easter Seals New York Vets2Jobs program," says COL David W. Sutherland, U.S. Army, Retired and Executive Director, Dixon Center. "Many of our soldiers are returning home and facing various barriers to employment. They are great young people who will contribute to the community in the future. They just need a little help with transition to get them started and I know they'll thrive, making a big difference wherever they are."
Funded by BNY Mellon, Easter Seals New York Vets2Jobs will welcome any unemployed veteran, as well as those who are underemployed and experiencing barriers to moving beyond minimum wage. Vets2Jobs will assess veterans' skills and interests; assist them with resumes and interviewing skills; and help place veterans in viable jobs. Additionally, Vets2Jobs will encourage collaboration within the community by hosting career workshops with veterans, employers, and business people to discuss and learn about specific companies, industries, and careers; small groups of veterans will meet with several businesses to discuss ideas, goals, experiences, and assess whether there is a mutual fit between business and veteran.
"BNY Mellon is thrilled to support Easter Seals New York Vets2Jobs," says Frank Behlmer, Executive Vice President and CNY Regional Executive. "It is crucial that we invest in our veterans and provide them with real opportunities through an innovative and local approach to employment services."
Related:
- Purple Heart Homes and Citi provide housing for disabled veterans and family
- Edible Arrangements® launches initiative to help veterans become franchisees
- Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship is coming to Chicago
- King Oaks breaks ground on mortgage-free home for wounded veteran
- PCs4Vets ewaste event benefits veterans
------------------------------------------------
For the most recent Military and Veterans news delivered right to your inbox please Subscribe. Also follow James Robertson on Twitter @jrexaminer and on Facebook.
Please comment below to share your thoughts on this story.
Comments