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