New push to help local veterans transition into workforce

There’s a new push to help veterans transition into the workforce.

The “Veterans Armed for Success Act” was reintroduced by Northeast Florida Congressman John Rutherford (FL-04) and Congressman Al Lawson (FL-05).

The bill passed the House last year, but failed in the Senate.

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The legislation would create a $10,000,000 grant matching program for organizations, like Operation New Uniform (ONU) in Jacksonville, that provide job readiness for veterans and their spouses.

“Congress has the responsibility to fight for those who fought for us,” said Rutherford in a press release. “I have seen firsthand the huge impact that transition assistance programs have made in my own region of Northeast Florida.

Jacob Wilson, an Army veteran, went through the ONU program last year.

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“The program really helped me to focus myself and it helped me to improve my skills as far as networking and my career search,” Wilson said.

Right now, the program is forced to turn veterans away because they don’t have the funding. For every 10 veterans accepted into the program, 40 are turned away.

Michele McManamon, the executive director of ONU, said it’s never easy to say no to someone who needs help.

“Our veterans are struggling. If we want to help them, we need to get the funding to help them in a greater way,” McManamon said.

She said funding would help them expand services and bring on more trainers.

Cox Media Group