A program aimed at empowering and supporting people who served in the military will soon return, announced a news release from the Washington Employment Security Department.
The Vet Corps program partners with colleges, universities and veteran service sites to provide peer mentoring and service projects.
Centralia College is among the list of partners.
Members help veterans — including student veterans and military families — navigate education, employment, healthcare access and disability benefits.
Vet Corps will begin its program year on Sept. 16. The program, operated by the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), will receive funding through the Washington Service Corps, managed by the Employment Security Department.
Washington Service Corps, a statewide AmeriCorps program, received notice in July that it would receive its annual grant funding, including money to bring back Vet Corps.
“Vet Corps has always been about meeting veterans where they are and walking alongside them as they navigate education, employment and life after service,” WDVA Director David Puente Jr. said in the release. “We’re grateful to the Washington Service Corps for helping us bring this program back, and we’re excited to once again provide veterans and their families with the peer support and connection they deserve.”
Washington Service Corps members serve in a variety of areas, including environmental restoration, tutoring, food security and support for veterans and dislocated workers. Members receive a living allowance, health insurance, training, hands-on experience, mentoring and an education award to pay for college or student loans.
“The Washington Service Corps is a proud partner with WDVA, so when we learned that Vet Corps could be brought back through our grant, we jumped at the opportunity to help,” Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek said. “Both our agencies have long-standing commitments to serving veterans and ensuring they have the tools and resources to reintegrate into civilian life.”
Vet Corps will place members through the recruitment process at sites statewide, including Centralia College.
Other site locations include: Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center; Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA); Bates Technical College; Chelan County Veteran Service Office; Eastern Washington University; Everett Community College; Grant County Veteran Services; NCW Veterans Serving Vets (The Bunker); NineLine Veteran Services; Olympic College (Bremerton campus); Pacific Lutheran University; Path With Art; Skagit County Veteran Service Officer; Spokane County Regional Veteran Services Office; University of Washington Bothell; University of Washington Tacoma; Veteran Rites; and Yakima County Veterans Program.
Vet Corps members provide peer support to veterans and military families and help connect them to critical resources. Members also organize community service projects.
Recruitment is underway. Veterans and military family members are encouraged to apply through the Vet Corps listing on the AmeriCorps website at https://tinyurl.com/mv2as4dz.
Applications submitted through AmeriCorps will be forwarded to sites statewide. Each site is responsible for interviewing and selecting its member.
Veterans, spouses and dependents receive priority consideration. Learn more about the Washington Services Corps on its website at https://tinyurl.com/pdsuf466.
