Talk about making a positive change! According to the New Hampshire Employment Security report issued in 2015, the unemployment rate for New Hampshire veterans was 5%. As of February 2018, that number has dropped to 2.1% as reported by the National Department of Labor, well below the national average of 3.5 percent. We’re making progress in New Hampshire, let’s keep going!
In 2016, Easterseals New Hampshire Military & Veterans Services was awarded a grant (HVRP- Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program) to provide support to homeless/at-risk veterans in finding work. Through this grant, we are engaging an under-served and under-counted veteran population, and helping them to achieve career goals, self-sufficiency, and improved quality of life, while strengthening New Hampshire communities and economy. Thus far, we have enrolled nearly 140 veterans in this program and over 75 have found meaningful, sustainable jobs!
Why hire vets? When looking for hard-working, motivated employees, hiring veterans is not only a good idea, it’s good business. Here are 10 great reasons to hire veterans:
- Accelerated Learning Curve
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Appreciation of Diversity
- Performance Under Pressure
- Respect for Procedures
- Global Perspective
- Integrity
- Conscientiousness
- “Can Do” Attitude
More than 7,500 of New Hampshire’s approximately 115,000 veterans have been deployed, many multiple times, to the Middle East since 9/11. Many of these post-9/11 veterans had multiple deployments and sustained injuries. Some experience chronic unemployment and under-employment. 179 New Hampshire veterans served by Easterseals New Hampshire Military & Veterans Services in the past year needed help to secure gainful employment. ESNew Hampshire MVS has helped more than 1,100 clients obtain employment since its inception in 2006. We continue to partner with all the DVOPs (Vets Reps) at New Hampshire Employment Security and with other employment-focused services to prepare New Hampshire’s veterans for civilian employment and to engage industry and employers to hire New Hampshire veterans as part of their vibrant workforce.
Easterseals New Hampshire Military & Veterans Services offers Care Coordination to veterans of all eras – from World War II veterans to those who are currently serving. Services are free, confidential, and provided locally – in the veteran’s home or other convenient location. Care Coordinators are community caseworkers with extensive training in military culture. Their job is to do whatever it takes to help service members, veterans, and their families thrive. Care Coordinators help those in crisis situations, and are also available to help families plan ahead and avoid problems when facing life changes and challenges. If you know a service member, veteran, or military family in need, please contact the Intake Coordinator, Easterseals New Hampshire Military & Veterans Services, at 603-315-4354.
Veterans Count, the philanthropic program of ESNH MVS, provides emergency financial assistance to veterans for critical and unmet needs. Veterans Count raises awareness about the challenges that can result from military service and raises money to help address these needs. To learn more about Veterans Count or to make a donation, please visit vetscount.org/nh. Or, mail your donation to Veterans Count, Easterseals New Hampshire, 555 Auburn St, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103.