Next to caring for the emotional and physical wounds of war, there may be no more important calling than helping recently discharged military men and women find good jobs with a future.
Out of a non-descript building just off Union Hill Road in Forsyth County sits an organization named Hire Heroes. It was founded by Alpharetta businessman John Bardis following a chance meeting with a wounded army sergeant. The man had an uncertain future as a civilian and was undergoing treatment at Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Since its founding around 2005, Hire Heroes and its staff of just under 60 here in Georgia and key sites around the country have worked tirelessly to find meaningful employment for the men and women recently separated from military service. And believe me, with the real unemployment rate for these young post-9/11 veterans in the 18- to 24-year-old category at a staggering 16 percent, the help is desperately needed.
I recently sat down with Brian Stann, the organization’s CEO and a decorated Marine veteran of the War on Terror. He said these young people have incredible skills for their age: solid character, leadership ability, experience, and success working as part of a team. They know how to follow orders, they are problem solvers and work well under the most trying circumstances. The problem, said Stann, is that many don’t know how to quantify and communicate all of those attributes to civilian employers.
That’s where Hire Heroes comes in. Through two day workshops covering resume writing, interview skills, how to build a Linkedin page, and how to search for a job, these young veterans can acquire the skills that will make a personnel manager take notice. Stann said when these young men and women first come to them for help they say no one wants to hire a military vet because employers think they all have post traumatic stress and lack skills.
“When they’re done with us they’re excited to knock on someone’s door and tell that employer why they belong on their team,” said Stann.
Of all the organizations around the country whose mission it is to help young veterans with a civilian career, Hire Heroes is the pre-eminent success story. So far this fiscal year, they’ve served 4,800 veterans. Of that number, they have helped place 2,034 or 42 percent. According to Stann the reason is the passion his employees bring to their work.
Hire Heroes is funded through the generosity of corporations, foundations and individuals. If you’d like to donate or you are a veteran needing career help or if you’re an employer with a job for a veteran go to www.hireheroesusa.org.
I am proud to have met the people of Hire Heroes who work every day towards the organization’s goal of “transforming military service into civilian success.”
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