To honor the women who have been proudly serving their country, Gov. Whitmer proclaimed June 12 as Women Veterans Recognition Day. This special day recognizes the remarkable service and sacrifices of the more than 44,000 women veterans in our state.

Women veterans have played a crucial role in our nation's history, contributing to the defense of our freedoms and the protection of our way of life. As we commemorate this day, it is vital to ensure these brave women are aware of the benefits and support available to them.

We urge all women veterans to visit their local Michigan Works! Service Center and identify themselves as veterans to get connected to a wide range of resources, including healthcare services and employment opportunities designed to support their transition to civilian life and beyond.

Gov. Whitmer's recognition of this day underscores Michigan's commitment to honoring and supporting our women veterans. Let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude and ensure they receive the recognition and benefits they deserve.

Join former U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Oakland County Health Network Veteran Peer Support Specialist Isaac Cortes the third Tuesday of each month for the Oakland County Men's Veterans Peer Support Group!

Benefits of the support group:

• Offers an opportunity to meet with other veterans to discuss a wide array of topics and issues that veterans face, post military service and transition.
• Provide an opportunity for veterans to network and connect with other veterans.
• Discuss best practices and approaches to receiving benefits.

The group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. from March through November at CNS Healthcare in Waterford Township. Please reach out to Isaac Cortes at cortesi@oaklandchn.org or 248-294-0063 for any questions. 

In a heartening collaboration aimed at supporting our veterans, Veterans' Employment Services recently joined forces with Michigan Works! Region 7B Iosco County Service Center at the East Tawas Community Center to provide a wealth of resources to veterans seeking employment, training and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. This partnership signifies a commitment to empower our veterans and ensure they have the tools and support needed to succeed in the civilian workforce.

The event drew nearly 200 veterans and their spouses and helped them connect with community resources and help them with their benefit claims.

It served as a beacon of hope and opportunity, providing a platform for veterans to explore various avenues for career advancement and personal growth. Representatives from the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, local businesses, and many others were on hand, ensuring attendees had access to a wide range of services.

At the forefront of this initiative are dedicated Michigan Works and VES staff who work tirelessly to assist veterans in becoming job-ready and effectively advocate their skills to prospective employers. Their passion for serving those who have served our country shines through as they guide veterans through the process of transitioning into civilian careers.

A special thanks to the Michigan Works! Region 7B staff for their collaborative efforts in organizing and facilitating the event. Their dedication to serving veterans and their commitment to making a difference in our community are truly commendable.

The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, further underscoring the commitment of our state to honor and support our veterans. Their support not only facilitated the success of the event but also served as a symbol of gratitude to those who have served our country.

Donald Reed's path to employment began when he reached out to VES in late September. He needed VES’ support to address the significant barriers he faced, including accommodations for his physical restrictions.

Donald connected with Veterans’ Career Advisor Timothy Sherman to discuss his goal to find a job that pays at least $15 per hour and accommodates his physical and scheduling needs. Timothy and Donald also met regularly to work on his job search skills.

Shortly after, Timothy learned about an opportunity with Allied Universal Security, a company aggressively hiring veterans in Wayne County. Recognizing this as a great fit for Donald due to his past security experience and accommodating nature of the job, Timothy helped Donald tailor his resume for the position.

Timothy then worked with his VES colleagues who had contracts with Allied Universal to advocate for Donald and promote him as a strong candidate for the position. Within a few short weeks, Donald was offered the position and began working full-time earning a competitive wage.

Donald is delighted with the position, as it meets his physical needs and offers a flexible schedule. He plans to work in this role until his retirement in the next few years.

Veterans, don’t let your physical disability get in the way of you enjoying your favorite stories. Embark on all kinds of literary adventures this summer with the help of the Braille & Talking Book Library (BTBL).

The BTBL lends audio and braille books to Michigan residents unable to comfortably read standard print materials due to a visual, physical, or reading disability. And best of all? This service is FREE; there is not even a charge to mail materials to the library!

Sign up to get access to more than 150,000 audio and braille books at Michigan.gov/BTBL.

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.