Social Enterprise Business and industry consortium join forces to connect veterans and employers
Despite the various marketable skills a veteran gains during military service, including technical, leadership and entrepreneurial experience, today’s generation of veterans faces unemployment rates higher on average than their civilian peers. The Veterans Staffing Network, a program of Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA, and DirectEmployers Association are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership to combat the issue of veteran unemployment.
The Veteran Staffing Network is a social enterprise business developed by Easter Seals to ensure that those who have selflessly served our country can have a smooth transition to civilian life. The VSN functions like a staffing agency, providing temp-to-perm, contract, and direct-hire placements, but as a non-profit organization reinvests all revenues generated to provide crucial support services for veterans, wounded warriors, and their families. To date, we have coached more than 6,000 veterans seeking employment and placed more than 1,200 into full-time positions.
This new partnership will allow DirectEmployers to draw upon the VSN’s expertise and in turn allow the VSN the opportunity to work with their federal contractor members who have a vested interest and incentive to seek out and hire veterans. They will be able to leverage VSN’s experience in placing highly qualified veterans who will help them satisfy the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) VEVRAA mandatory listing requirements and Section 503 regulations.
“As an organization of human resources experts, we appreciate the tremendous societal value in helping veterans and wounded warriors transition to civilian life and find meaningful careers,” said Candee Chambers, executive director of DirectEmployers. “Our partnership with the Veterans Staffing Network is truly a win-win scenario for all the parties involved–the companies that seek the skills and commitment veteran employees bring to the table, and most importantly the veterans looking to find meaningful and rewarding employment as they make the transition to civilian life.”
“Our unique business model includes collaboration with businesses, government, military and Veteran Service Organizations to ensure that veterans and military family members are prepared for and secure meaningful employment, and that employers receive the most qualified candidates,” said Tim Stecher, Executive Vice President of Veterans Employment, Veteran Staffing Network. “This latest collaborative effort with the DirectEmployers Association is just another example of how partnering with other innovative non-profits will help achieve our goal of reducing veteran unemployment.”
About Easter Seals (Serving DC | MD | VA)
For nearly 100 years, Easter Seals Serving DC | MD | VA has been at the forefront of providing exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in our communities. Services are delivered through a network of 6 sites where participants and their families find support, hope, medical care, and engaging activities. In addition to serving the overall community, Easter Seals places an emphasis on the unique needs of wounded warriors, veterans, active duty military, and their families.
Press Contact
Easter Seals: Amy Cress; (w) 301.920.9716; (c) 773.396.6747; acress@eseal.org
DirectEmployers Association: Nancy Holland; 317.874.9022; nancy@directemployers.org
