The GI Go Fund Directors
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The Changing Path To Employment ������������ 16 Jack Fanous
Executive Director fanous@gigofund.org
Alex Manis
Deputy Director manis@gigofund.org
James Fanous
Communications Director/ Transition Times Managing Editor jafanous@gigofund.org Website: www.gigofund.org Contact Telephone Number: (866) 389-GIGo (4446) Locations: Newark City Hall 105 Evesboro-Medford Rd. Office of Veterans Affairs Suite K 920 Broad Street, Room B28 Marlton, NJ 08053 Newark, NJ 07102
Honoring Those Who Do Great Things For Our Veterans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Carl Sandburg Middle School raises over $19,000 during “Steps For Vets” Program in honor of Memorial Day. . . . . . . . . . . 6 In Remembrance of Lt. Seth Dvorin: 10th Mountain Division Ceremony in Fort Drum, NY Honors Fallen Comrades. . . . . . . . . 8 Veteran Given Housing Opportunity through Partnership between Habitat for “Steps For Vets” Humanity and GI Go Fund. . . . . . . . . . 10 page 6 Veterans Fill Room at GI Go Fund’s South Jersey Veterans Job Fair. . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Celebrating the Passing of the Sweeping VA Reform Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Hundreds of Homeless Veterans find Help at the “Stand Down of North Jersey” in Newark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Jeans For Troops Day in Honor of VA Reform Bill Passed Memorial Day Celebrated Throughout the Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 page 14 GI Go Fund Hosts Military Career Workshop For Dozens of Veterans in San Diego, CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Annual Foodtown Donation Drive Raises Over $51,000 for Military Veterans . . 29 Youth Group Assembles Hundreds of Care Packages For Homeless Veterans. . . . . . 30 Homeless Veteran Provided New Suit for Veterans Find Help Interview On Wall Street . . . . . . . . . . 30 page 27 3
Honoring Those Who Do Great Things For Our Veterans The 2014 Veterans Day Gala Honorees have each contributed their time and lead others to accomplish great things for our military veterans By Staff Writer The GI Go Fund 2014 Veterans Day Gala will be recognizing and awarding the individuals who have displayed an unparalleled commitment to ensuring that our veterans are transitioning successfully. There are government leaders who make a difference for veterans like Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a Marine veteran of the Iraq war who serves as a shining example of what veterans can accomplish. Also paving the way for veterans in the public sector is South Jersey Assemblyman Troy Singleton, who has led the charge in the State House for numerous veterans’ issues. In addition to these public sector heroes, there are several members of the private sector who have made an impact. Mark Salah Morgan Esq., a partner
at Day Pitney, has helped many veterans with legal aid by creating a pro bono legal service program for veterans inside his firm. NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer has been a huge supporter of the GI Go Fund, as his organization’s sponsorship of our Jeans for Troops drive has been critical to the growth of program. In addition, author John Shiffman’s book Operation Shakespeare is a great description of the work that was accomplished by the platoon of Lt. Seth Dvorin, whose death ten years ago sparked the founding of the GI Go Fund. We thank all of our honorees for all that they do for veterans, and we hope others will follow in their footsteps in the coming year..
Steven Fulop
Troy Singleton-
Wendell Steinhauer
2014 Veteran Leadership Award
2014 Legislator of the Year Award
2014 Man of the Year Award
Mark Morgan
John Shiffman
2014 Veteran Justice Award
2014 Excellence in Veteran Journalism Award
Carl Sandburg Middle School in Old Bridge raises over $19,000 during “Steps For Vets” Program in honor of Memorial Day Students Collected Donations from the local area to benefit the GI Go Fund; Event was the most successful fundraiser in the history of the school district By James Fanous (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) Students at the Carl Sandburg Middle School honored our military men and women this Memorial Day by raising over $19,000 for veterans returning home from combat and their families. Hundreds of the middle school’s students participated in the “Steps for Vets” program, a walk-a-thon event where they collected donations from family members and neighbors to help support veterans returning from combat. The students participated in an assembly in the
morning, where they learned about military experiences from veterans of each branch of our armed forces. Afterwards, they participated in a walk-a-thon outside on the school’s track, where the students were joined in the walk by veterans and their families. The funds from the event went to benefit the GI Go Fund, an organization that helps veterans with finding employment and securing their benefits, as well as providing aid and assistance to low income and homeless veterans. Since their founding, the organization
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has helped tens of thousands of veterans improve their lives and give them the capacity to provide and care for their loved ones. This year, the GI Go Fund is looking to expand access to health care for veterans that go beyond the limited options currently available to them. The group is working on giving veterans the ability to avoid the lengthy and outrageous VA backlog and instead choose their own doctor. The event was coordinated by Gary Sapir, a teacher at the school for over 30 years. Mr. Sapir has a special connection to the GI Go Fund, as he is the uncle of Lt. Seth Dvorin, the soldier who the organization was founded in honor of. “I am floored by what this drive was able to accomplish,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous.“These students here at Carl Sandburg showed us all how to pay tribute to our men and women in uniform during Memorial Day, and they truly have
gone above and beyond to show our returning veterans how much they care for them. And having the organizer of the whole program be the uncle of Seth Dvorin, who was the entire inspiration to our organization’s founding, makes this even more special.” This is the second time the school has hosted this event. The previous program in 2012 collected over $8,000, which at the time had set the record for the most funds ever raised in the school’s history.This year’s mark of $19,000 is the most funds ever raised by any school in the Old Bridge School District for a charitable event, something that brought a smile to Mr. Sapir’s face. “I am just so proud of our students,” said Mr. Sapir. “I wanted them to break the record set from last year, and boy did they ever.They were incredibly motivated and excited to give back to our military veterans, and I just could not be more thrilled with what they were able to do.” The GI Go Fund would like to thank all the students, faculty, and administrators that made this event a huge success. Their hard work will make a tremendous difference in the lives of countless New Jersey veterans this Memorial Day, and they should be proud of what they have done to help the men and women who fought to defend our country. J
Hundreds of students take part in the “Steps for Vets” event at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Old Bridge, NJ, which raised over $19,000 for the GI Go Fund to help returning veterans in honor of Memorial Day.
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In Remembrance of Lt. Seth Dvorin: 10th Mountain Division Ceremony in Fort Drum, NY Honors Fallen Comrades As Army Base in New York Honors its Fallen Soldiers from the past year, friends and family of GI Go inspiration Lt. Seth Dvorin remember his courage and honor his legacy By James Fanous
Lt. Seth Dvorin
(FORT DRUM--NY) At the Annual 10th Mountain Division Remembrance Ceremony at Fort Drum, NY, hundreds of family and friends came to honor their loved ones who passed away in 2013 and in years past. They came to remember their husbands, their wives, their mothers and their fathers; reflecting on the people they were and the sacrifices they made. And for members of the GI Go Fund, the day was no different. Ten years ago, on February 3, 2004, Lt. Seth Dvorin was serving in the 10th Mountain Division’s Outkast group in Iraq. On that day, just 17 days after returning to combat, a roadside bomb detonated as his platoon was making a routine stop near the town of Iskandariyah, killing Seth instantly. His death had a tremendous effect on the friends and family he
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left behind, from his mother and father Sue Niederer and Rich Dvorin to his sister Rebecca and young wife Kelly. “It was incredibly hard then, and it never gets easier,” said Sue, who was at the ceremony to remember her son on the tenth anniversary of his passing. “I remember everything like it was yesterday, and in many ways it feels that way. But I can be thankful for the men and women he served with, including the ones who also died, and I can be here for the Gold Star families as they remember and mourn as I do.” His death shocked his family back home immeasurably. But while the news of his passing devastated those who were closest to him when he died, his friends back home, who he lost touch with after joining the Army, experienced a shock as well.
These friends, Jack Fanous, his brother James, along with Alexander Manis and his brothers Nick and Pete, were all in a state of shock and disbelief to learn that Seth had died. Moreover, they couldn’t believe the fact that they could lose touch with their friend, the same friend they went to grade school and college with, as soon as he joined the military. But rather than be disappointed in what they didn’t do when Seth was alive, they decided to make him proud in his honor.They co-founded the GI Go Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans coming back find jobs, access their healthcare, go to college, and get off the streets. And as members of the GI Go Fund joined Sue and others in remembering Seth at Fort Drum, she reflected on her son’s legacy. “I cannot say enough good things about the GI Go Fund and
what it does for returning soldiers,” she said.“So many of these men and women come back and struggle with so many things, and this organization works with you no matter what.They do it in honor of my son, and that makes me so proud to be a part of it as well.” Seth’s life story is now being told on bookstands as well. A new book entitled Operation Shakespeare, written by Pulitzer-Prize finalist John Shiffman, focuses on an elite undercover Homeland Security unit created to stop the Iranians, Russians, Chinese, Pakistanis, and North Koreans from acquiring sophisticated American-made electronics capable of guiding missiles, jamming radar, and triggering countless weapons—from wireless IEDs to nuclear bombs. The book was released July 8, 2014 by Simon & Schuster. J
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The set of bricks commemorating soldiers who died from the 10th Mountain Division during the start of the Iraqi Conflict, including Lt. Seth Dvorin, at the Army Base in Ft. Drum, NY.
Veteran Given Housing Opportunity through Partnership between Habitat for Humanity and GI Go Fund Isaac Ephraim of Newark is housed thanks to veterans’ initiative designed to link Homeless Veterans with a place of their own; Home built in Newark, NJ with help of veteran volunteers By Staff Writer (Newark, NJ) One year ago, the GI Go Fund and Habitat for Humanity teamed up and pledged to house a military veteran in the city of Newark, relying on fellow veterans and veteran supporters to build the home from the ground up as a way of showing their mutual respect and love for their fellow veteran. Now, a Newark veteran is getting ready to move in to his new home, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, the GI Go Fund, and his fellow veterans. Isaac Ezirim, an Army veteran and Newark resident, became the benefactor of a new 4-bedroom home in the city’s West Ward. Mr. Ezirim, who lost many of his personal possessions during Superstorm Sandy, was put in touch by GI Go with Habitat for Humanity earlier in the year as a potential inhabitant of this home. Mr. Ezirim was also assisted by the GI Go Fund in finding a new job, where he is working through the Rutgers Newark Veterans Environmental Training and Solutions (VETS) Program, which gives veterans the op-
portunity to earn pay during a yearlong training program while learning to become environmental specialists. “Oh I cannot believe everything that the GI Go Fund has done for me,” said Isaac. “They have been so good to me, and they were so willing to help me with my situation. And now with this home from
“I cannot believe everything that the GI Go Fund has done for me” –Isaaac Ezirim Habitat and starting a new career, I just could not be happier.” Jack Fanous, Executive Director of the GI Go Fund, is extremely proud of working with Habitat on this project, and he is working to develop future homes for veterans, in-
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cluding those who are still displaced after Superstorm Sandy. “I am so happy for Isaac, he really deserves to have this opportunity,” said Fanous. “Habitat and their team have done fantastic work for people in need for decades, and we are so proud to be working with them to help a veteran and their family access the housing they deserve. And we are looking forward to working more together to help veterans along the shore who still are without a home after Sandy to give them the same opportunity to get their lives back on track.”With Habitat for Humanity, the home in Newark is a great opportunity to give a veteran with disabilities the opportunity to live with comfort and peace of mind. “We see this house as an opportunity to assist a deserving disabled military veteran who has served our country honorably,” said Jeffrey Farrell, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Newark. “This will soon be the proud home of a returning veteran; we will address all aspects of comfort and accessibility.” Among the groups who assisted in fundrais-
(Left to Right) Habitat for Humanity Foreman Kercel Pemberton, Army Veteran Isaac Ezirim, and GI Go Fund Deputy Director Alexander Manis in front of new Veteran’s home from Habitat in Newark’s West Ward ing for this home is TD Ameritrade, a top brokerage firm in the United States that has been a critical component to getting this home off the ground. In addition, Lowenstein Sandler LLP, the top law firm in New Jersey that has become well known for its philanthropic work for indigent people throughout the state, hosted a fundraiser for this project at their law offices in Roseland last fall to assist in building this home and developing the funding for future efforts for veterans. J Army Veteran Isaac Ezirim working on his new home from Habitat for Humanity.
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Hundreds of Military Veterans Fill Room at GI Go Fund’s South Jersey Veterans Job Fair Event included 65 employers, colleges, and health care services that met with the hundreds of veterans in attendance; NJ Adj. Gen. Michael Cunniff, NJ Assemblyman Troy Singleton, and Burlington County Freeholder Aimee Belgard also on hand to meet and speak with veterans. By Staff Writer (MOUNT LAUREL, NJ) The GI Go Fund served as host to nearly 450 veterans and their families, along with 65 employers, colleges, and health care providers at their latest South Jersey Veterans Job Fair on Monday, June 9th, 2014, at the Aloft Mount Laurel Hotel. Dozens of businesses and organizations participated in the event, including PSEG, UPS, NJ Transit, Pennsylvania State Police, and New York Life. The organization’s previous South Jersey Job Fair in October of 2013 saw more than 400 veterans in attendance, and organizers expected the stronger turnout for this year’s event. Also on hand to meet and speak with the veterans in attendance were NJ Adj. Gen. Michael Cunniff, NJ Assemblyman Troy Singleton, and Burlington County Freeholder Aimee Belgard, each of whom spoke oneon-one with veterans to learn more about the difficulties they endure upon returning home. Recent unemployment reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Post 9/11 era veterans are currently suffering from an unemployment rate of 6.8%, which exceeds the national average and is causing significant struggles for returning military veterans and their families. The event was hosted by the GI Go Fund, a leader in the region in providing cutting-edge services to veterans and their families. They have linked thousands of veterans to various employment opportunities and have helped give them the tools they need to succeed in the job market. They have also assisted countless veterans with going to school and obtaining the health
benefits they have earned. This year, the organization is working to expand health care services to veterans who lack access to VA health care facilities. The organization has already made great strides in working with legislators and VA officials to give veterans in South Jersey the opportunity to alleviate the unfair burdens of obtaining health care they face by giving them the chance to see a private doctor. This includes providing leadership on the recent VA Reform Bill introduced in the Senate, which will give veterans greater access to health care in their area and require more accountability at the department for underperformance and mismanagement. “The men and women who have served in the armed forces make great employees,” said Jack Fanous, Executive Director of the GI Go Fund. “Nowhere else will you find such dedicated and hard-working or disciplined workers. They have been well trained and possess valuable skills that not only make them great soldiers on the battlefield, but outstanding members of the workforce.” The Mount Laurel event also included dozens of colleges and universities looking to enroll veterans who wish to utilize their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to earn their degree.Among the universities in attendance were Rutgers University, Thomas Edison State College, Drexel University, and Central Michigan University. Sponsors and partners for the event included PSEG, Soldier On, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.J
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Active Duty veteran from nearby Joint Base McGuire-DixLakehurst comes to see what openings were available at the latest GI Go Fund South Jersey Job Fair
Hundreds of Veterans fill the room at the South Jersey Veterans Job Fair at the Aloft Mount Laurel Hotel
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GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous Joins U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker in Celebrating the Passing of the Sweeping VA Reform Bill Head of Largest Veterans’ Organization in New Jersey Joins the State’s U.S. Senators at the Nutley VFW to show support for new VA Bill that would greatly expand agency services to veterans; Congress quickly passed the legislation to fix the issues at the VA since the revelations of mismanagement emerged earlier this year; GI Go Fund also highlighted the need to address the growing problems in veteran unemployment By Staff Writer (NUTLEY, NJ) The VA health care system has been in dire need of immediate overhaul for years. Long waiting lines, longer travel times, and an overall lack of basic medical services have been crippling the department and placing an unreasonable burden on the men and women who depend on it. Organizations and Veteran Advocates have long waited for the time that Congress would take charge on this issue before the lack of adequate care went too far. But when the problem did in fact go too far, it led Congress to act more swiftly for veterans than ever before. In the wake of the VA scandal which emerged in late May of this year, Congress has passed the most
major change to the VA health care system in decades. The new bill, which passed in both the Senate and
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House with nearly unanimous votes, would add $17 billion bill in spending to help veterans avoid long waits
for health care, hire more doctors and nurses to treat them, and make it easier to fire senior executives at the Veterans Affairs Department. Most notably, the bill allows veterans living 40 miles away from a VA facility to obtain private health care through the VA. At the VFW Post 493 in Nutley, NJ, the state’s two highest legislators, Senators’ Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, were joined by the state’s largest Veterans’ advocate, GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous, to show their support of the bill’s passing and celebrate how the increased funds will help our returning veterans. Fanous’ organization has been one of the most pivotal advocates for these reforms, especially those which give veterans living far distances from VA facilities access to private care. “Veterans need and deserve access to every form of medical care possible,” said Fanous, who spoke at another Press Conference with the Senators in June when these reforms were first introduced. “Whether it is at the VA or at their local hospital, Veterans should receive nothing but the best treatment for all of their medical needs. We have been pushing for years for sweeping reforms to the system for years because, sadly, our veterans have been getting very inadequate care for many years now. We were very glad to see that these reforms were introduced in June, and we are thrilled that more great things are happening for our veterans.” During the press event, Fanous fielded questions from reporters regarding what is needed next for veterans, particularly veteran unemployment. Mr. Fanous stated that
GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous (left) fields questions from reporters alongside U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (center) and Cory Booker (right) from New Jersey during the VA Reform Bill press conference. while strong efforts to improve veterans’ lives have been made for veterans of late, working to ensure that veterans find quality career opportunities must become a top priority for our country. “We are standing here today because we are proud of what Congress has come together to accomplish for our veterans, but the fact remains that many of them are struggling to provide for their families,” Fanous said, with Senators Menendez and Booker looking on. “Without a strong, steady job, veterans will always face enormous difficulties in trying to keep a roof over their heads. We need to come together as a nation and work on not only giving veterans access to job opportunities, but also to train veterans with the skills they need to
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get the career of their dreams.” The sweeping changes to the VA system were first introduced in early June, with strong support on both sides. With the rare mood of bipartisanship in the air in Washington, legislators in both houses were able to make the modifications they needed in reasonable time in order to pass the legislation cleanly. The new $17 billion bill includes $10 billion in emergency spending to help veterans who cannot get prompt appointments with VA doctors to obtain outside care; $5 billion to hire doctors, nurses and other medical staff; and about $1.5 billion to lease 27 new clinics across the country. In addition, $2 billion would be used for the development of medical facilities in several states, including New Jersey. J
The Changing Path to Employment Why the conversation of ending veteran unemployment is shifting, and how a new firm is bringing employers and veterans together in a brand new and uniquely effective way By James Fanous It has been an ongoing narrative for our military personnel as they return home: there should be no reason for our veterans to be unemployed because they are the hardest working and most dedicated group of men and women in America. The comment sounds self-evident enough, as these veterans have endured the most grueling forms of training and possess more real-world experience than any civilian could ever dream of. Nevertheless, as this narrative persists in the realm of public perception, so does the inescapable reality of veterans consistently being unemployed at a higher rate than their civilian counterparts. So what is the problem? It is a fact that veterans have traits that are a part of their personal story that no civilian can compete with, and that should give them an edge when it comes time for applying for jobs. But the fact remains that while life experiences always are an important factor that companies look to when recruiting, there is no substitute for educational experiences. This has been a dilemma that has plagued the veteran community since the conflicts of the 21st century began over a decade ago. What makes this issue all the more complicated is that this is of no fault of either the veteran or the employer. Veterans lack the requisite educational experience to fill these job postings because they were off fighting to defend our country rather than obtain the education companies require of all their prospective employees. And companies, even the ones with the best intentions in mind, have a difficult time making the necessary leap of hiring a veteran without certification over a civilian with certification.
“This has been the tug of war I have been battling for several years,” said Jack Fanous, Executive Director of the GI Go Fund.“Veterans have all the capacity in the world to become whatever they wish to be, they just are missing the paperwork that is required to fulfill their dreams. And companies have always expressed to me their desire to hire vets, but it is tough for them to make that jump when they know that the veteran does not meet the most basic requirements that so many other civilian applicants would. No matter how patriotic or compassionate an employer may be, taking that risk with their business can sometimes be a lot to ask.” This friction has led to a systemic problem for unemployed veterans. According to the Department of Labor in 2013, the unemployment rate for young veterans aged 25-34 was 9.1 percent, compared to 7.4 for non-veterans in the same age group. However the problem is not necessarily that young veterans are foregoing college, but rather that they are just not completing their degrees. 74 percent have attended at least some college compared to 68 percent of their non-veteran peers aged 25 to 30. If veterans are going to college at a greater rate than civilians, why do they have half as many college graduates? One factor could be found in their choice of school. A survey from the Department of Education found 16 percent of undergraduate veterans and 23 percent of graduate veterans were enrolled in for-profit colleges, based largely off of the for-profit schools well publicized marketing campaign aimed at military veterans. Comparable figures for the non-veteran populations were not available, but it is worth noting that
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only 6 percent of total U.S. completions come from those schools. Not speaking to the quality of education received at for-profit colleges, the stats show that these schools have lower percentages of students graduating on time: just 24 percent for the average veteran, whereas the national average is 38 percent. Perhaps the biggest reason for this is the sheer cost of for-profit school. According to a U.S. Senate Report from 2012, the average cost of a 2 year degree at a for-profit school is an astonishing $35,000, compared to just $8,300 at a local community college. Four year degrees average to be nearly $15,000 more at for-profit schools compared to most state schools, and certificate programs can average almost four times higher at for-profit schools. For-profit schools would counter by stating that these costs are offset by federal benefits like the GI Bill that cover tuition costs. While this is true in a general sense, the facts are that GI Bill benefits are given to veterans not based on the tuition of their schools, but rather on the average cost of tuition within that state.
Therefore, all other costs that a school may levy on a veteran become the responsibility of the veteran, leading to higher than average student debt and eventually high levels of drop outs among veterans. Both federal and state governments have passed measures to curtail for-profit colleges from taking advantage of veterans, including restrictions on marketing and outright bans in certain circumstances. Nevertheless, while overall enrollment at for-profits has declined nationally, enrollment of veterans in those schools has soared — from 61 percent to as much as 657 percent at the eight top for-profit G.I. Bill beneficiaries. Those eight schools received 23 percent of all G.I. Bill benefits last academic year. “It is very frustrating to see,” said GI Go Deputy Director Alexander Manis. “I cannot tell you the number of times I have met a veteran who wanted to do nothing but work to provide for their loved ones, only to get dragged into a bad situation with a for profit school. These veterans can spend years trying to dig themselves out of this hole, and it often discourages them from ever pursuing any other form of higher
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the Changing Path to Employment
learning that they could use to get a good job.” Compounding this problem for the veteran population is the nature of the current employment market. Employers require candidates to have completed some form of higher education not necessarily to show them their depth of knowledge, but rather their capacity to learn. The reality is that most 21st century jobs require employees to complete training within the company that focuses on the job they will work before they can consider themselves employees. Joe Pace, a Marine Veteran who currently works at PSEG as field technician, began his time at the company the same way so many employees do these days: in training. “I went in to it knowing that I wasn’t going to just get thrown into the job on day 1,” said Pace.“The company would never have just put me out there without knowing I was ready to do the specific job I was about to do. At the end of the day, my work is a reflection of the company, anything wrong I do can make them liable, especially in this job.”
Joe spent several weeks in training within the company. He was able to utilize his Vocational Rehabilitation benefits available to him through his time in the service. The government was paying for his training within the company, and he was getting paid as an entry level employee during the training. “Oh it was definitely a win-win. I was paid during every step of my training, and the company didn’t need to worry about the cost of training because Uncle Sam was cutting the check. I don’t think the company would have had it any other way, honestly.” While PSEG was able to utilize this benefit with Joe, the truth is that many companies, including PSEG, have a tough time connecting with veterans, as most forms of job outreach in the veteran world are either antiquated or lumped into the civilian community. Moreover, many other companies simply are not aware of the fact that veterans can get their training paid for, which means that much of the costs of hiring a veteran can be offset by the federal government. It is with this in mind that led to the creation of
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the Changing Path to Employment JobPath, a new company that has emerged to get veterans hired unlike ever before. JobPath is a training and recruitment portal designed to help returning veterans find jobs with companies that want to hire veterans. Using this portal, veterans will develop the capacity to work in any type of job that companies are looking to fill through position-specific online training modules developed by participating companies. This new endeavor was created by GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous after he was approached by the Clinton Global Initiative to develop a cutting-edge program that would cure the ongoing problems of veteran unemployment. While the initial reaction was that this would be a challenging endeavor, the reality of how difficult it is for veterans to find work in the current system compelled Fanous to tackle the project head on. Now, as the Chief Officer of JobPath, Mr. Fanous has learned just how much the business community has wanted a solution like this. “Companies have always expressed the interest to hire veterans, but have never had a real venue for accomplishing it,” he said. “The employers have been either reliant upon veteran job fairs or civilian job boards to find veterans, neither of which provide a substantial way to hire veterans. What we are trying to do with JobPath is create a platform that is designed especially for bringing veterans and companies together, giving everyone all that they would need to turn military applicants into military employees.” One of the best components of this service is that it is provided completely free of charge to veterans. With the training modules being developed by the companies subscribing into the JobPath program, as well as over 170 pre-developed training programs implemented in the system, veterans can train for any
job they want in the comfort of their own home, or even while they are still deployed overseas, all without worrying about high tuition costs and mounting debt. “Veterans are getting everything they were always promised through this program, and companies are being given every incentive imaginable to make all of their future employees former members of the Armed Forces,” said Fanous. Other job hunting programs are also following suit in this effort, as Monster.com and CareerBuilder both have made efforts to tailoring their online services to better assist the veteran population find work. For veterans looking to obtain jobs in the construction field, Helmets to Hardhats provides on the job training to veterans with partnering construction firms looking to hire former military members to work in their industry. In addition, states from coast-tocoast are working diligently to make their veterans more aware of onthe-job training benefits available to them. The federal government is also working to promote further training for veterans, as the White House is promoting the SunShot Initiative’s Solar Instructor Training Network, a national initiative which aims to train 50,000 new solar installers in total by 2020. The initiative looks to have many of these positions filled by veterans, and is now partnering with up to three military bases to create a veterans solar job training pilot project. The ultimate reality is that with so many obstacles being placed in the way of veterans finding work, there needs to be people and entities willing to find the right solution. Services are now emerging that may very well be the missing link in turning veteran unemployment from a travesty to a tall-tale, and both companies and returning military members are now taking that big leap to making that dream a reality. J
There should be no reason for our veterans to be unemployed because they are the hardest working and most dedicated group of men and women in America
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Hundreds of Homeless Veterans find Help at the Annual Stand Down in Newark Homeless Veterans offered food, clothes, medical screenings, haircuts, legal assistance, and connections to benefits and housing opportunities By Staff Writer NEWARK-- The GI Go Fund, in partnership with the City of Newark, as well as the Stand Down of North Jersey Inc., hosted the Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Newark for Homeless Veterans at the John F. Kennedy Aquatic and Recreation Center, on Saturday, October 11, 2014. During the Stand Down, veterans received haircuts, photo ID cards, medical checkups and HIV testing, as well as counseling and information support groups about employment services, state and federal VA benefits, substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation, recovery programs, hospice care, and legal services, including City legal support to address outstanding criminal matters. Veterans were also provided lunch cooked by New Jersey Army National Guard. Afterwards, they were given a full range of Army surplus and civilian winter clothing, including boots, underwear, ski caps, pants, and personal toiletries. The GI Go Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 that has been recognized for its unique and innovative solutions to addressing the homeless veteran population. The group has been successful in helping veterans living in Newark with all of their needs, turning Newark into the model of providing vet-
Hundreds of homeless veterans receive health care, legal aid, food, clothing, and other services at the annual Stand Down in Newark, NJ erans with the services and care that they deserve. Their smart approach of assisting homeless veterans has received national attention, as the organization’s work has been showcased on Fox News and the ABC reality show “Secret Millionaire”.
A homeless veteran obtains legal assistance and support from Tonya Tucker of Newark Community Solutions at the annual Stand Down of North Jersey
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“We believe we have identified the best model for addressing the issue of homeless veterans in our country. We have had tremendous success in the city of Newark these past several years, and we are excited to continue to help the veterans living in the City,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous, whose organization partnered with now Senator Cory Booker and the city of Newark in 2008 to address the needs of veterans in his city and develop a model that could be taken to other areas.“The only way to end homelessness among veterans is to bring the services to them, we can’t wait for them to come to us.” This event has been held every year in the city of Newark for nearly a decade, showing the level of commitment that all partners have to solving the issue of veteran homelessness. Organizers have indicated that despite the years of work in hosting these events, they have no intention of slowing down. “We’ll keep doing these events as long as need be, so that the words ‘homeless’ and ‘veterans’ should never be in the same sentence,” said David Cathcart, President of Stand Down of North Jersey Inc., which organized the event. “This is the most important thing we can do for our veterans, and we can never give up on this fight.” J
Jeans For Troops Day in Honor of Memorial Day Breaks Records Throughout the Country Employees at over 1,600 Schools, Companies and Government Agencies raised over $300,000 during nationwide dress down day; NJ State Assembly Declaring May 22 to be “Jeans For Troops Day”; Program sponsored by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) By Staff Writer (TRENTON, NJ) This Memorial Day, as our nation honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, many of its citizens from coast to coast worked to help their fellow troops and their families. Over 1,600 schools, companies, and government agencies broke fundraising records by collecting over $300,000 during a nationwide movement to support returning veterans this Memorial Day and help them get the assistance they need as they come home. During the “Jeans for Troops” program, schools, companies, and all other employers that choose to participate allowed their employees to wear jeans to work on May 22 in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting all veterans with their needs upon their return home from combat. The GI Go Fund is an organization on the cutting edge of offering support to veterans, providing veterans with innovative ways of finding employment, securing their educational and health benefits, as
well as providing aid and assistance to low income and homeless veterans. Since their founding, the organization has helped tens of thousands of veterans improve their lives and give them the capacity to provide and care for their loved ones. “The amount that this event has grown in the past few years has been truly something special,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “What started as a small group of loyal supporters has now swelled to over a million school teachers, government workers, and business employees alike standing together to lend a hand to their local veterans in need this Memorial Day. All of our participants are showing the true passion and love that all of us Americans have for our military men and women, and they are saying thank you to them in the best way possible.” In addition, the organization did tremendous work for veterans who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. They provided great rapid response to victims of the storm by delivering thousands of blankets and needed clothing and other sup-
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plies to shelters. They also brought Emergency Financial Assistance and Toys for the Holidays for the thousands of Veterans devastated by the storm in the months that followed. This year, the GI Go Fund is looking to expand access to health care for veterans that go beyond the limited options currently available to them, working on giving veterans the ability to avoid the lengthy and outrageous VA backlog and instead choose their own doctor. The drive has received strong support from all levels, including statewide government. The NJ State Assembly issued a proclamation that will declare May 22 as “Jeans for Troops Day”, calling on all New Jersey businesses, schools, and organizations to support our troops in honor of this past Memorial Day. The event was being sponsored and promoted by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), who has worked hard to encourage its members to support their local military veterans. The group has sponsored the drive each of the past three years, and its members
Over 1,600 schools and businesses nationwide honored our veterans this Memorial Day through the Jeans for Troops program. have consistently been among the group’s biggest supporters. Proceeds collected by the GI Go Fund will go to veterans who live in their local community. Veterans in communities like Toms River, NJ are already benefiting from this program, as teachers and staff at the Toms River North High School kicked off the drive for the country in late April and pledged to donate it to the organization. The GI Go Fund then turned around and decided to pledge the funds to the local Ocean County Veterans Office in the town. During the event, both Fanous and Ocean County Veterans Services Bureau John Dorrity were in hand to thank the teachers and faculty participating in the event and let them know how they are helping local veterans. “It was a great honor to be here,” said John Dorrity, who is also District Commander of the VFW in Ocean County. “I know how much the people of Toms River care about their veterans, and so I wanted to
be here to show them exactly what their generosity will go to. The GI Go Fund has been there for our veterans here in this county, as well as
every county in America. When we needed funds after we were hit by Sandy, this organization was right there giving out thousands in gift cards and emergency supplies. They are a great organization, and I wanted the people of this school and this community to know what a great cause they are supporting.” The drive is held twice a year across the country to honor both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and has had over a million employees from private organizations as well as public schools and agencies lending their support to our military men and women. The next drive for Veterans Day will be held by most schools in the country on November 12th, and is anticipated to have thousands of businesses and schools participating in the program.
Teachers and staff of the Toms River North HS were joined by GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous, Deputy Director Alex Manis, and Ocean County Veterans Services Bureau Director John Dorrity for their Jeans for Troops Day
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Jeans For Troops
Panasonic Presents GI Go Fund with a $5,300 Contribution Raised During Jeans for Troops Program CFO Mike Riccio Presents Check of $5,306.50 to GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous from their funds raised during the Jeans for Troops Drive this past Memorial Day; Panasonic matched the funds that were raised during the drive (NEWARK, NJ)--Panasonic, one of the leading electronic companies in the world, became the first company to match its employee’s donations to the GI Go Fund’s Jeans For Troops Drive, leading the way for other companies to take charge in supporting our military veterans. The company’s employees collected over $2,600 for the organization and its mission, which the company then matched to bring the final donation to $5,306.50, one of the highest totals ever from one organization to the drive in its four year history. Panasonic CFO Mike Riccio presented the organization the check at the company’s new headquarters in Newark, NJ, which is also home to the GI Go Fund’s historic program created with then Mayor Cory Booker to assist military veterans in the area with their employment and housing needs. “I am so thrilled to see this level of dedication from one company,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “Panasonic has come here to Newark, where we have helped so many returning veterans. They recognize the importance of the work we do, and I am glad to see that the newest member of Newark’s corporate community has shown this level of dedication to our military veterans.” During the “Jeans for Troops” program, schools, companies, and all other employers that choose to
From left to right--Pansonic Chief Transformation and Human Resources Officer Steve Saffier, Staff Sergeant Jonnathon Yont, Rear Detatchment Commander for Task Force Archangel, GI Go Executive Director Jack Fanous, Stephen Cafiero, Group Manager of EEO/AA & Inclusion, and CFO Mike Riccio. participate allowed their employees to wear jeans to work on May 22 in exchange for a $5 donation to the GI Go Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting all veterans with their needs upon their return home from combat.This year, over 1,600 schools, companies, and government agencies took part in a nationwide movement to support returning veterans this Memorial Day and help them get the assistance they need as they come home. The GI Go Fund is an organization on the cutting edge of offering support to veterans, providing veterans with innovative ways of
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finding employment, securing their educational and health benefits, as well as providing aid and assistance to low income and homeless veterans. Since their founding, the organization has helped tens of thousands of veterans improve their lives and give them the capacity to provide and care for their loved ones. This year, the GI Go Fund is looking to expand access to health care for veterans that go beyond the limited options currently available to them, working on giving veterans the ability to avoid the lengthy and outrageous VA backlog and instead choose their own doctor. J
GI Go Fund Hosts Military Career Workshop For Dozens of Veterans in San Diego, CA Partnership between organization and company hosts first California event for nearly fifty veterans; Volunteers from Johnson & Johnson helped veterans improve their employment prospects By Staff Writer (SAN DIEGO, CA) For the past two years, the GI Go Fund has worked together with Johnson & Johnson to create a unique career workshop concept, where veterans and military supporters who were employed at the pharmaceutical giant and other Fortune 100 companies would work with unemployed veterans to develop their resumes and improve their overall employment skills in a one-on-one atmosphere at their corporate headquarters. The partnership led to multiple Military Career Workshops hosted in the New York/New Jersey region, with over 400 veterans
getting the help they needed to improve their hiring prospects. Now, the collaboration has become a success story from coast to coast. The two groups hosted their latest Military Career Workshop at the Janssen Research and Development Lab in San Diego, CA, where dozens of former military personnel met with fellow veterans who have been hired at prestigious positions at the company to improve their skills and find out what it takes to work for one of the largest companies in the world.
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The veterans who attended the event were appreciative of the support that they were receiving, and were glad to have the services come to them. The San Diego area veterans learned about the success of the past workshops, and were glad to speak one-on-one with high level corporate leaders and fellow veterans who knew both how to transition back home and how to make it in the corporate world. Previous workshops have also received strong
praise from veterans, who commend the value of the advice that came from the volunteers.At the last Workshop at Johnson & Johnson’s worldwide headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ, company CEO and former Army Ranger Alex Gorsky shared his experiences with the veterans on hand and offered advice and assistance to the men and women in need of employment. “I am so proud of the growth of this event,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “What makes this event so great is the simple truth that it is veterans helping veterans. It gives unemployed veterans the opportunity to not only improve their job searching skills, but work with someone who has gone through the same unemployment experiences as them. We have enjoyed great success with our events in the New York/New Jersey region, but now we’re extremely thrilled that the veterans in San Diego and throughout the Southern California region, which makes up such a large portion of our country’s veteran population, are able to benefit from the program as well.” Recent unemployment reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Post 9/11 era veterans are currently suffering from an unemployment rate that exceeds the national average and is causing significant struggles for returning military veterans and their families. J
Dozens of San Diego area Veterans met with corporate volunteers at the Janssen Facilities to improve their employment prospects at latest Military Career Workshop.
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Annual Foodtown Donation Drive Raises Over $51,000 for Military Veterans Funds raised during month-long drive among the highest in the history of the program By Staff Writer Every year, Foodtown Supermarkets from across the tri-state region honor the attacks of September 11th by asking them to donate either $1 or $5 at checkout lines to benefit the returning troops that the GI Go Fund aims to serve. And every year, these donations have an immeasurable impact on the men and women who served our country that need it most. Now, as the program has reached its conclusion, Foodtown customers have once again gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact on the lives of our veterans. More than $51,000 in funds were raised at supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania during the months of August and September, with all proceeds going to benefit the GI Go Fund and the veterans that it aims to serve. Over the past six years, customers of Foodtown Supermarkets across the tri-state region have raised nearly $300,000 to support the GI Go Fund. The money raised during 2014 is the second highest total in the history of the program with Foodtown Supermarkets.
“Foodtown and its customers go above and beyond for our organization every year,” said GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous. “This drive was one of the original fundraisers for our organization, and it has been instrumental to our growth and success. Without Foodtown, we would not have helped tens of thousands of veterans find work and access healthcare. Without Foodtown, we would not have developed a smart approach to helping veterans in the City of Newark. Without Foodtown, we would not be able to expand into south Jersey to further assist veterans around the Fort Dix region and those whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy.We are grateful to all of their customers, and thank them for all they have done for our veterans.” The GI Go Fund will use funds raised in the drive to implement new and effective ways of helping veterans find employment and training opportunities, as well as expand health care benefits and services to veterans in need, and help former military personnel suffering with housing issues find a place they can call home. J
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Father Bishoy Youth Group of St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church Assemble Hundreds of Care Packages For Homeless Veterans For the second year in a row, dozens of young members of the Father Bishoy Youth Group lent a helping hand to homeless veterans by creating more than 200 care packages for The GI Go Fund at their facilities in South Brunswick, NJ. The care packages were developed by the volunteers so that they may be distributed to homeless veterans in need. Each package includes non-perishable food items, water, and clothing items to help veterans get through difficult times. The effort was conducted for the second straight year by members of the youth group to help veterans in need and teach them about the difficulties some veterans go through.
Founded four years ago in honor of the late Father Bishoy, the founding Priest of the St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church in East Brunswick, NJ, the youth group looks to enlist the young members of the church to give back to the community and teach them the importance of helping people less fortunate. “I am very proud of what the GI Go Fund is doing,” said Sonia Demetrious, the creator of the youth group and a vital member of the church since its founding.“And I am proud that the kids were able to be a part of this today, seeing what they saw. They have to appreciate what they have. They take things for granted; they complain a lot. But
Members of the Father Bishoy Youth Group assemble hundreds of care packages for homeless veterans in for the GI Go Fund at their South Brunswick, NJ facilities. they saw that those little care packages can mean so much to someone and make a person happy, and I have to thank you for that.” The care packages will be distributed to veterans during the organization’s many homeless outreach events, most notably their Thanksgiving Homeless Event aboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, NJ. J
Homeless Veteran Provided New Suit for Interview On Wall Street Daniel Delmo, an Ocean County Veteran currently living at the Veterans Haven in Glen Gardner, NJ reached out to the organization for employment assistance.While working with the GI Go Fund’s Ruth Acevedo for support, he was linked to a job interview for an IT position at a major company on Wall Street. He had all of the skills and qualifications for the position. However he was missing one key thing: he did not own a suit that he could wear to the interview. Without the suit, he would not have been able to make a good impression during his meeting. So the organization took it upon itself to make sure that he was fully prepared for the interview.
Veteran Daniel Delmo (left) thanks GI Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous for the new suit the organization provided to him for his upcoming job interview. They went ahead and purchased a brand new suit for the veteran that he could wear to the interview.With the new attire, he was able to show
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off all of his skills to the company and show how he could be a valuable asset to their company “I am so grateful for this,” said Delmo. “I know I can get any IT job I put myself out there for, I just was always embarrassed because I am without a home and without a suit that I can go to an interview with. The GI Go Fund really stepped up for me, and has given me more than a great suit; they have given me confidence to make the impression that I need to make in order to get the job.” Delmo was able to make a good impression with the company and receive a call back following his interview. The process for filling the position is still ongoing. J