A Heroes Helping Hand

When it comes to make a difference in someone life, everything counts! Our project “A Heroes Helping Hand” has been blessed by the support of all donors on Global Giving, and it is because of you that we are making  a real and lasting differences in the lives of our nation’s veterans.

Because of your donations, almost $40,000 in raised in the last 9 months, we have directly helped hundreds of veterans through our progran in Austin, Texas. Many veterans passing through our doors were taken out of hopeless situations and transformed into productive members of our society.

A successful story: Michael Elliott

Michael, a combat veteran, was honorably discharged from the US Army where he served from 2007-2012 as a Health Care Specialist/Medic. Michael was referred to Texas Center Point Veterans Services by a Veterans Career Advisor of Texas Veterans Commission. At the time of enrollment, Michael acknowledged he was living in his truck. Michael was enrolled in our program on August 28, 2014. Due to anxiety and depression he was also referred to Center Point’s counseling program. Michael was reluctant at first, but eventually enrolled in the counseling program a month later.

On the day he was enrolled, Michael was referred to one of Center Point employer-partners. Four days later Michael was interviewed, processed, and was hired by G4S security to start work in late 2014. Michael applied for the Battle-to-Oilfield job training and received a certification in hopes to be employed in the oil field as an EMT. This job training was held in Louisiana; therefore, he was laid off from G4S.  When Michael came back from his training, he immediately applied in different places and instantly obtained two part-time jobs at HEB and CenTex Rental Center. Granted that Michael obtained two employments, Center Point continued to assist him in job search to obtain his long-term career goal of working in the medical field.  Center Point reached out to Dept. of VA who has employed two of our previous veterans in Austin’s VAOPC (VA Outpatient Clinic), and The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas. Both of these companies have talked with Michael on the phone for brief interviews, and as a result, both of them contacted Center Point and have expressed interest in Michael.

Center Point continued providing services to Michael to address his needs, such as advocacy and resources for housing, and career development. By the end of 2014, Michael acquired housing through the Grant Per Diem program of Dept. of VA. Michael was provided resumè writing skills training, mock interview, dress-for-success, job search assistance, vocational guidance, Job Club workshops, and transportation assistance, such as, gas cards when he travelled to Louisiana and until he received his first pay check many of this funded by our donations through Global Giving. Furthermore, Michael has started to search for a permanent housing.

Michael was discharged on December, and we continually provided follow-up survey with Michael regarding the aforementioned jobs in the medical field and housing. As of January 29^th, Michael received his verification of employment from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to work in Austin Outpatient Clinic as a full-time Medical Assistant, and he continues to live at the transitional housing.

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At Center Point we believe that it’s an honor to serve our veterans, our heroes. And we do our best to assist every veteran we can, from those stepping into our office to those needing assistance in the streets we take pride in our work and you make it happened with your amazing support and donations.

Thank you for being our partners and for your amazing support

Links:

• Center Point Facebook

Your Donations Make an Impact

Dear Friends,

We want to thank all of you for your amazing support this year.  Your donations are making an impact on the lives of the clients we serve.  

The Veterans and their families who usually visit our Texas Center Point Veterans Program represent a variety of needs as diverse as the veterans themselves. Some seek employment assistance. Some require mental health treatment to help them fully reintegrate into civilian society. Some need help finding affordable housing options for themselves or their families. These issues are just a few of those addressed by Texas Center Point Veterans Program.

Your donations make it possible for our program to offer essential services that support the individuals who stood up when their country needed them.  Of the veterans participating in our programs during 2012-2013, thirty-eight percent (38%) had served in the Gulf Wars. Significantly, the percentage who served in the Gulf War and were enrolled in 2013-14 increased to 52%.  This can be attributed to an overall increase in the numbers of active service members transitioning  to veteran status, the reduction in forces in Iraq and Afghanistan (reducing re-enlistment) and an increase in the number of Gulf War veterans experiencing homelessness, unemployment, trauma, substance abuse, mental health problems and social displacement.

As our troops return home, Center Point strives to be a leader in innovative programs that empower our evolving veteran population with the tools they need to become self-sufficient. We hope you continue to support us and partner with us on making a difference in the lives of our heroes and  their familes.

A letter from one of our program participants

How important is the Texas Vets program to me and to other veterans?

This program helped me greatly when I was in the middle of mass chaos. After losing my housing in Killeen, Tx. I decided to move to Austin so that my husband could at least be closer to his job. I did some research for veteran resources and found out about Texas Center Point. I immediately got assistance from everyone there starting with counseling services and then moving on to improving my housing situation. The staff were very thorough with me in finding out the details of what it was that I was looking for to accommodate my family. My Case Manager utilized an apartment locator that would be able to find housing for me with my financial situation being what it was. During the period of time that I was looking for housing, I was also actively involved with the Virtual Job Fairs and Job Search opportunities that were offered through Texas Center Point. I never gave up my search for employment and ended up landing a job at the Department of Public Safety. If it had not been for Texas Center Point and their wonderful staff, I don't know how I would have made it through the storm.

As a Veteran, I feel that we should never be left behind when requesting services. We as Veterans have served our country and done whatever was asked of us without any question. Why should we be questioned about the services that we deserve? Once you've lived the military life, it's very hard to transition. Civilian jobs can lay you off at any time, there's never a guarantee like there is in the military.

Depression sets in and then you find yourself out of work, out of touch with reality. Texas Center Point's staff helped me stay focused and reach my goals. I am completely grateful for all that they do.

Thank you,

Jan

Links:

• Center Point Facebook