MetroWest Veterans Initiative
The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce started the Veteran’s Initiative in 2007. Not only do we support Veterans coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq, but also Veterans from previous conflicts who are still in need of support. Today, it is even more critical that we as members of the Chamber support this initiative. Veterans are coming back from overseas, looking for work and are experiencing great difficulty finding jobs. Although the unemployment rates overall are starting to even out, the unemployment of Veterans remain high – 16% from documented reports, but if you include Vets no longer looking for work, homeless and those who accepted part-time positions, the percentage hovers around 30%. With more Veterans expected home in the coming months, that rate will likely go even higher.
In 2011, as the need became greater for our Veteran Community, we diversified our efforts and ran a donation drive to benefit homeless Veterans and those who are in danger of becoming homeless. We collected clothing, toiletries, household necessities, children’s items, non-perishables and gift cards which were given to Veteran’s Inc. to be distributed to Veterans in need. We had three drop off locations in our area – a special thanks to Metro Credit Union and TCG Network Services for allowing drop off locations in their office space. At our 2011 Annual Meeting we held a special raffle to raise money for Veterans. Bose, Staples, BJ’s and Veteran’s Corp. generously donated items for the raffle and as a result $3,000 was raised and given to Veteran’s Inc. at the meeting.
As members of the Chamber, it is essential that we continue to support our Veterans. There are many ways we can to provide support:
· Hire a Veteran – if you are looking to hire, contact John Stone (see below for
contact information) – he will forward the job description to agencies that service and
pre-qualify Veterans. Or if you review a Veteran’s resume, take the time to really
read it, emembering what training that veteran has successfully completed.
· If you know of an unemployed Veteran – please connect them with John, or forward
John’s information to the Veteran – this will include them on a daily email blast that
includes employment opportunities offering Veteran's preference
· Provide internships for returning Veterans
· Mentor a Veteran who is looking to start their own business
· Help Veterans with resume writing and mock job interviews
· Offer in-house training for your employees to Veterans
· Remember Veterans when planning your yearly donations whether it is a monetary
donation or gently used clothing
A message from John Stone:
“My main focus currently is forwarding job openings and relevant information to State Agencies, Federal Agencies, Chamber members, Non-Profits providing services to our deserving Veteran’s community, and to veterans directly. By using on line services (LinkedIn) and email, we have created a two way street for: 1. job opportunities offering preferential treatment and 2. disseminated valuable information to Veterans and the agencies serving them. There are at least 5 Veterans now employed due to our efforts and we have assisted hundreds of Veterans and families of Veterans at risk. I am proud of our Chamber’s efforts and the tenacity to keep this effort ongoing.”
John’s contact information:
John A. Stone
TCG Network Services
Phone: 508-650-9917 x 314 | fax: 508-655-3485
jstone@tcgns.com | www.tcgns.com
or Contact the Chamber directly to help support our Initiative or with any questions.
Veterans have bravely served our country and have proven that they are reliable, diligent and always ready to get the job done. A little help goes a long way...so let’s give back to those who have given so much.
The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce’s Veteran’s Initiative...helping to give our hero’s a bright new start.
