Second Chance Month provides an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of supporting the millions of individuals who are returning from incarceration.

To commemorate the month, the National Reentry Resource Center, in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Second Chance Act training and technical assistance providers, will host live webinars across a range of reentry topics. These webinars are an excellent opportunity for individuals, communities and agencies to learn more about reentry and how they can support successful reentry.

To spotlight the state’s growing need for talent and programs and services in place to help and engage residents in employment, training and educational opportunities, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer encourages Michiganders to explore the many career pathways available to them during April’s celebration of Career Exploration and Awareness Month.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics have created valuable resources to help Michiganders follow career and labor trends. These include Michigan’s Hot 50 report, which covers high-wage, in-demand careers that show a favorable mix of long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages; Michigan’s Career Outlook report, which provides multiple lists of in-demand occupations by education and training requirements; and Regional Career Outlook reports, which provide a breakdown of career outlook data in each of the state’s 10 regions. 

You can also explore different career and educational pathways using Pathfinder, Michigan's free online career exploration tool, and create a roadmap towards your future!

To foster acceptance and encourage Michiganders to work together to build a more inclusive state that supports opportunities for all, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), Education (MDE), Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Autism Alliance of Michigan to proclaim April as Autism Acceptance Month.

LEO, MDE, MDHHS, Autism Alliance of Michigan and many other community providers across the state have resources for individuals with autism, ranging from identification and diagnosis, to support, training and intervention.

LEO offers a number of vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with autism through Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS). Through its statewide network, MRS develops creative, customized solutions to help individuals with disabilities prepare for and obtain competitive employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MRS.

To recognizes the men and women who served with honor during more than a decade of fighting in the challenging terrains of Southeast Asia, where they faced extraordinary and unprecedented dangers, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 officially designated March 29 as the annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

March 29, 1975, the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, where more than 400,000 Michigan residents served and more than 2,600 sacrificed their lives. Between 1964 and 1975 more than three million Americans left their homes and families and served overseas in a series of battles and conflicts of the Vietnam War.

Of the 7,301,000 Vietnam veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 201,285 reside in Michigan, ranking 12th in the nation. Michigan is grateful to those who fought in this conflict and are grateful for their bravery and inspiring service. The servicemen and women who served in the Vietnam War represent the definition of courage, honor, and sacrifice.

Read the full proclamation here.

Having faced justice involvement in the past, Brenda Nicholas refused to let her past define her future. Instead, she seized every opportunity for self-improvement while in the state's custody, acquiring valuable certifications in FANUC Robotics and Programming, General Maintenance and Quality Control Procedures.

Upon her release, Brenda faced several setbacks when she tried to embark on a new chapter of her life. Fortunately, she connected with Michigan Works! Southeast Lenawee Service Center as a requirement of filing for unemployment insurance benefits. During the intake process, Michigan Works! staff discovered Brenda is an Air Force veteran and connected her with a Veterans' Career Advisor (VCA).

Together, Brenda and the VCA discussed her background, skills, barrier and employment goals. They created an action plan on how to address the challenges to employment she faced, updated her resume and worked on some interview preparation.

Brenda also worked with the Local Veterans' Employment Representative and Michigan Works! staff to prepare for and apply for a position with Rima Manufacturing Company they believed would be a good fit. After apply for the position, Michigan Works! staff reached out to Rima Manufacturing Company, who they had worked with in the past, to advocate for Brenda.

Thanks to their advocacy, Brenda was given the opportunity to interview for the position, which she was later offered. Brenda started work at the beginning of the month with a competitive wage and scheduled monthly pay increases!

Brenda's journey of triumph stands as a testament to the potency of the collaboration between Veterans' Employment Services and Michigan Works!. This collective effort not only facilitated a seamless transition for Brenda but also shines a light on the critical role of collaborative agencies in delivering comprehensive support to veterans facing barriers to employment.

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.