Lapeer-based Veterans’ Career Advisor Durand Dean was recently nominated for and received a Quilt of Valor from a member of the Strength in Numbers program. Durand was recognized for his military combat service, active involvement and volunteer contributions within the Mid-Michigan Veteran’s Coalition and the Strength in Numbers program, and his unwavering dedication to serving local veterans.

A Quilt of Valor is a meticulously crafted, handmade quilt that is presented to service members or veterans who have been directly affected by the experience of war. The Quilt of Valor conveys a heartfelt message of gratitude for their service and the sacrifices made in defense of our nation.

The Quilt of Valor must adhere to specific size requirements, include a label with mandated information, be presented as an award, and be officially documented.

Strength in Numbers is a non-profit organization responsible for initiating and organizing the Mid-Michigan Coalition. They provide essential resources such as food, pantry items, household goods, gas cards, and furniture to veterans facing hardships. These items are generously donated by various entities and are offered free of charge to veterans and their families.

Congratulations, Durand!

Local Veterans Employment Representative Fred Pitman and Veterans' Career Advisor Rayetta Wyatt attended the announcement of a new tiny homes project aimed at aiding and supporting homeless veterans in Flint.

On Sept. 21, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties announced the homes will be located at 719 E. Moore St. in Flint at a news conference that featured two single model homes.

Grant money from the Clara Lionel Foundation, founded by pop singer Rihanna, to fund groundbreaking education and emergency preparedness and response programs around the world, was used to build the homes.

The new homes, named the Catholic Charities Sacred Heart Village, plan to serve as a model for programming that can be replicated in the future as a way to address the homelessness crisis. 

The each of the 24 homes along with a Community Resource Center will be able to accommodate two people. The Village is set to break ground in the summer of 2024.

Read more about the project here. 

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity  is collaborating once again with the Michigan VA Home in Grand Rapids for a second round of gravesite cleanups on Saturday, October 7.

Volunteers will need to bring a five gallon bucket and a stiff scrub brush and meet at 3000 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and is a small way to honor the final resting place of those who sacrificed for our freedoms. 

The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is not only an assisted living facility for veterans, but also the final resting place to over 5,000 service members, all of whom resided at the Home at one point dating back to 1886. Maintenance of this cemetery is heavily supported by volunteers from the community. 

View more details here. 

On National Voter Registration Day, the VA and Michigan Secretary of State announced an agreement to designate the Saginaw VA Medical Center, the Detroit VA Medical Center and the Detroit Regional Office as voter registration sites.

This agreement will empower the VA to provide voter registration information and assistance to veterans and eligible dependents at these three facilities.

To learn more about how to register and vote in Michigan, go to Michigan.gov/Vote. For more information about VA's efforts to provide voter registration assistance to veterans, go to va.gov/vote. 

All Michigan.gov websites now use improved search features to make finding information faster and easier! 

• Auto-suggested Results – the new search fills in suggestions as you type to help you find what you’re looking for with fewer keystrokes.
• Search Across Multiple Sites – you will be able to choose to search the site you are on or search across all Michigan.gov sites at once.
• Filter Your Results – results display a variety of filters that you can use to narrow your possible results. Filter by categories like document type, site, and file type. Additional filters are available within these categories to refine your results even further.
• Improved Mobile Experience – you will have an improved experience when using your phone to tablet to conduct a search. 

Learn more about the new job search feature here, or head to Michigan.gov/VES to get started!

Katherine, a military veteran with extensive years of service, faced unique challenges as she sought to align her skill set with potential employment opportunities. To navigate this transition, she reached out to Matthew Mendez, a Southfield-based Veterans’ Career Advisor.

Matthew helped Katherine identify industries and companies where her skills could be effectively utilized. Their discussions covered various aspects, including addressing her age, handling interview questions, and bridging the gap between her military experience and prospective employers. They also explored strategies for navigating potential scenarios where a much younger generation might be her supervisor.

Matthew and Katherine also worked on updating her resume, fine-tuning online job search techniques, and conducting mock interview sessions to better prepare her for actual interviews. Working closely with Matthew and program partner Javone Bane from Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Katherine successfully secured a position as an Administrative Assistant at JML Adjusting Services, with a competitive wage.

Katherine expressed her deep gratitude to Veterans' Employment Services and all those involved for their unwavering support in securing her financial future. See how VES can help you or a loved on at Michigan.gov/VES. 

Vernon Baker, born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1919, faced adversity from a young age. In April 1941, he joined the Army, overcoming racial barriers to enlist. Despite experiencing segregation during training, Baker remained determined to continue serving his country.

He initially trained at Fort Wolters, Texas, but later transfer to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he became a supply sergeant. Despite his contentment in this role, the Army sent him to Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

In June 1944, Baker and his fellow second lieutenants were deployed to Italy as part of the 92nd Infantry Division. He was wounded early on but returned to duty after recovering. On April 5, 1945, Baker led a daring assault on Castle Aghinolfi, a German stronghold in the Gothic Line. His platoon faced heavy casualties, but Baker's courage and leadership prevailed as he destroyed numerous enemy positions and took out nine enemy soldiers that night.

For his exceptional bravery, Vernon Baker was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997 due to long-standing racial bias. His remarkable service and valor continue to be celebrated and honored.

Learn more about Vernon and other veterans like Vernon, visit the Veterans Legacy Program webpage.

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Welcome to the Veterans’ Employment Services (VES) Newsletter. Our mission is to assist you and your family secure meaningful careers in Michigan.

The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.

• Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting MichiganWorks.org.
• More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at Michigan.gov/VES.
• Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at MiTalent.org.