 August 2025
Veterans' Employment Services Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
We are thrilled to welcome home our dedicated Veterans Career Advisor (VCA), Brian Zarzycki, who has been serving our country in the Navy for the past ten months. VES is incredibly proud to have him back, continuing his invaluable work supporting veterans in Michigan at the Warren Michigan Works!.
We encourage everyone to stop by and visit him for services, as his commitment and expertise are truly unmatched. Welcome back, Brian!
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President Donald Trump recently signed the VA Home Loan Protection Act (H.R. 1815) into law. The law is intended to prevent veterans from foreclosure on their homes by providing a partial claim option where VA can cover delinquent payments and work with lenders to structure appropriate repayments.
Additionally, it will strengthen VA’s homelessness prevention efforts through the Grant and Per Diem Program.
More information is available in a story on the VFW’s website.
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After visiting her local Michigan Works, it was quickly recognized that Marcyl Gray was a veteran in need of specialized assistance. She was promptly referred to the local Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) for one-on-one career focused assistance. With a recently achieved associate’s degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, Marcyl was still struggling to find employment in the field that she was enthusiastic about.
Throughout the case management process, Marcyl’s Veterans’ Career Advisor (VCA) identified barriers to her employment goals and started the process of navigating supporting services and career focused assistance to assist Marcyl in reaching sustained employment within her chosen field.
Through working together as a team, Marcyl’s VCA provided career coaching, interview preparation, establishing an effective resume, and referrals to supportive services to help assist in alleviating and reducing identified barriers to employment, not only boosting her confidence, but also enhancing her marketability.
With her barriers removed she was referred to the Local Veterans Employment Representative and quickly found employment with Detroit City Construction and Demolition Department as a Field Liason!
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The VFW is pleased to announce it has joined with Main Street, a leading financial education company, to develop a comprehensive national financial education initiative aimed at empowering veterans across the country with ongoing content and resources tailored specifically for veterans and their unique needs.
Their YouTube playlist currently features 15 videos focused on financial literacy for veterans.
Preparing for Financing
August 20, 10–11:30 a.m.
Veteran Entrepreneurship is on the rise and more veterans are seeking to start their own business. Preparing for financing is a critical process for an entrepreneur and existing business owner, it can make the difference in the time it takes submit your application to obtaining a loan. In this webinar we will review the steps to prepare for financing and review what lenders are looking for and are expecting from you.
Register today: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7424045895365295966
The Vetrepreneur Franchise Coaching service uses a 10-step, 10-week process that enables them to make an informed decision on whether franchising is right for them and finding the best franchise match. These coaches are all Veterans or Veteran spouses with tremendous business and franchise experience.
There is limited capacity. Learn more by visiting the VA News website.
September 11-14 - Liberty Disabled Vet Deer Hunt (sponsored by American Legion Post 46, Ann Arbor, MI) at Camp Liberty
September 20 - Fall Festival - 11:00 to 3:00 & 5K Fun Run / Nature Walk - 10:00 at Camp Liberty
October 16-19 - Independence Disabled Vet Deer Hunt at Camp Liberty
October 25 - Trunk or Treat with Norvell Township at Ahrens Park, 6001 Norvell Rd, Brooklyn, MI
November 19-23 - Veterans Deer Hunt at Camp Liberty
December 6 - Veterans Pheasant Hunt at Camp Liberty
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Registration for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency's (MVAA) fourth annual Women Veterans Conference is now open. This premier event will be held in Grand Rapids from October 16-18 for women veterans. The event is dedicated to honoring their service, fostering meaningful connections and empowering them for their future.
Register for the MVAA Women Veterans Conference.
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If you are a Veteran resource provider, please consider joining the Veterans Radio team at their annual fundraiser, Radio on the River! Veterans Radio is a nonprofit aimed at preserving and sharing the stories of our nation's Veterans and has been on the air since 2003.
This year's annual fundraiser will take place at Freedom River in Brighton on Sunday, September 28, from 1-5 p.m. We are looking for organizations that could set up info tables as part of our Veteran resource fair during the event. We expect to draw crowds from all over southeast Michigan, with heavy attendance from Washtenaw, Jackson and Livingston counties.
Learn more about the event at VeteransRadio.org.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting a Stand Down event for veterans on September 24-25 at UAW Region 1 in Warren. The event will be held 9 a.m.–5 p.m. with veterans registration closing at 1 p.m. each day.
A Stand Down flyer and volunteer registration information can be found at 4vets.org.
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An up-to-date list of upcoming job and career events is available on MiTalent.org's Career Events Calendar.
Branch County Workshop: Ace the Interview
8/19/2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Event Details: view event details
In this workshop, Michigan Works! Southwest staff will explore how to interview in a digital age. From learning to prepare for an interview, reviewing appropriate attire, body language, and professionalism, Michigan Works! Southwest staff will equip you to walk confidently into your next interview!
Michigan Department of Corrections Hiring Event
8/19/2025, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Event Details: view event details
Michigan Department of Corrections - St. Louis will be having a job fair with on-the-spot interviews. They are hiring Corrections Officers, Health Care and Mental Health Professionals. Excellent State Benefits! Paid Training! Career Advancement!
Calhoun County Workshop: Job Searching with PURPOSE
8/19/2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Event Details: view event details
During this workshop, participants will explore job search tools along with the Michigan Works! Event Calendar for workshops and networking. Whether re-entering the workforce or seeking a new career, this session offers practical tips for job search success.
Kalamazoo County Workshop: Which Resume is Best?
8/20/2025, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Event Details: view event details
Join us for an exciting event where we dive into the world of resumes! Are you struggling to create the perfect resume that stands out from the crowd? Wondering what employers are looking for? Look no further!
Job Fairs Count as Work Search Activity in Michigan
Registering for and attending Virtual Job Fair events supported by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity count as official work search activities required by the Unemployment Insurance Agency. Check out upcoming virtual and in-person job fairs by visiting MiTalent.org’s Career Events website.
Event Success Tips
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Be Prepared: Charge your phone and practice your elevator pitch.
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Keep an Open Mind: You never know which company has the perfect job for you.
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Work the Room: Stop by every booth and share your QR code with every organization.
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Rule of 3: Get at least three company follow-ups.
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Apply as You Network: Apply to open positions while you network with recruiters.
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Smile: Be confident. You've got this!
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.
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MORE VETERANS' RESOURCES
If you are a veteran looking for information concerning education, health care, benefits or quality of life programs, please visit the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for more information, or call the Michigan Veteran Resource Service Center at 800-MICH-VET.
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