California-U.S. Vets, Nonprofit gets grants to help at-risk veterans

LONG BEACH – The U.S. Veterans Initiative got a double dose of good news this week as it learned it received a pair of grants from the Department of Labor to provide job training and placement for homeless and at-risk veterans.

U.S. Vets, which operates a 525-bed transitional housing facility at the Villages of Cabrillo, learned it had won a $500,000 grant to train 100 vets in Los Angeles County in a variety of jobs in "green" industries.

Greg McCormack, site director for the Long Beach branch of U.S. Vets, said he was excited at the opportunity to help vets land "high-end, in-demand jobs."

McCormack predicted vets could receive training in retrofitting exhaust systems for truck at the ports, installation of solar panels and double-paned windows, environmental auditing and other jobs.

McCormack said U.S. Vets would begin contacting community colleges to see what kind of training they have and may develop their own customized training programs if needed.

The grant is meant to target new and emerging needs in environmentally responsible industries.

The money comes from the Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, and expects to provide training for more than 3,000 veterans nationally.

Earlier in the week, U.S. Vets also learned they were approved for a third three-year $300,000 grant through the Homeless Veterans employment of homeless veterans.

According to McCormack, U.S. Vets has found work for 800 to 900 hundred vets in Long Beach over the past six years.

"Every other day we help a veteran find a job," McCormack said.

Overall, U.S. Vets, which has 11 sites, helps more than 1,100 vets find jobs each year.

Although this is the third cycle of grants under the program, McCormack said every three years U.S. Vets have to re-enter a competitive bidding process for the coveted grants.

The award to the local group, one of 98 grants nationally worth more than $25 million, was announced by Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

About 15,000 veterans will receive job training. The funds are being distributed nationwide through 50 new grants and 48 continuing grants receiving second- and third-year funding.

"This funding will help veterans across the country access the resources they need to find good jobs and build a bright future for themselves and their families," Solis said in a statement.

Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search, placement assistance and follow-up services.

According to U.S. Vets, in its 16-year history it has served more than 19,000 homeless and at-risk vets, with 65 percent making successful transitions to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

Greg Mellen 562-499-1291 greg.mellen@presstelegram.com