County Backs 'Work for Warriors' Partnership

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday pledged Riverside County’s support for a program designed to help veterans find jobs.

In a 4-0 vote, the board directed the county Office of Veterans Affairs, the Defense and Military Services Commission and other agencies to actively participate in the Work for Warriors Partnership.

Rep. Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa, who is a retired Marine Corps colonel, got the program going in 2012 as a means to reintegrate California National Guard personnel returning from Afghanistan and other overseas assignments back into the workforce.

Since then, according to county Military Affairs Commissioner Tom Freeman, the effort has expanded to include veterans from all service branches who served in active or reserve capacities.

“To date, this program has helped 3,500 veterans and/or their dependents secure employment,” according to a county staff report. “A Riverside County partnership with Work for Warriors Project ... will ensure our veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom receive county support and assistance for returning to the workforce.”

The program offers resume development assistance, interview preparation, job skills certification training and referrals.

More information is available at http://www.workforwarriors.org .

— City News Service.

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