Train diligently.
Work confidently.
See lives improved.
Be well-informed.
Goodwill, VOA help veteran regain footing
7/8/2016  |
Meet William Stockham, a husband, family man, Army Sergeant and veteran who is currently enlisted in the Army Reserves. He recently went without employment for a significant amount of time. It wasn’t for a lack of trying, he applied for multiple jobs. Employers told him time and again, he was “over qualified.” This frustrating period of unemployment plunged him and his family further into debt, and brought them to the brink of potential homelessness. He began to feel depressed, lost his confidence, and felt his dignity slipping away. He realized something had to change.
William decided that the security industry would be a great fit for him because of his security experience in the Army. He knew he needed to obtain his Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (C.L.E.E.T.) license to enter this career field, and the process began with required training. He found that Goodwill Industries of Tulsa’s TulsaWORKS Private Security Training Program was the most cost effective option in the area. Upon arrival at Goodwill, he met with Angela, the private security Case Manager, and started the enrollment process. Through conversation, Angela discovered that he would be a great candidate for the program at Volunteers of America of Oklahoma (VOA) program, Helping Veterans Receive Paychecks (HVRP). They assisted him with veteran to veteran mentorship and guidance, and helped cover the expenses of training, uniforms and licensing needed for the security industry. Together Goodwill and VOA were able to assist this veteran in regaining employment, empowering him to regain his dignity and pride. William completed the C.L.E.E.T. Phase 1 & 2 training through Goodwill Industries of Tulsa’s TulsaWORKS program.
He is, once again, a confident husband, family man, veteran and actively enlisted in the Army Reserves. Thanks to the assistance of VOA and Goodwill, Sgt. Stockham has regained employment — with the option to work overtime each week. Thanks to the additional overtime income, he is regaining financial stability, allowing him to pay his bills, take care of his house, and most importantly — provide for his family! He even hopes to start his own security company in the near future. He is thankful for all of the assistance he has received along the way, empowering him to restore his DIGNITY and CONFIDENCE, and ensuring he is able to provide for his family.
“Good work, Sgt. Stockham…we are extremely proud of your progress!” Angela Handshumaker of Goodwill Industries of Tulsa.
This article originally appeared in the Warrior Partnerships of Eastern Oklahoma Newsletter, June 2016.
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For assistance with training and job placement:
Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, TulsaWORKS Program
Contact Angela at (918) 581-1262 or ahandshumaker@goodwilltulsa.org
http://www.tulsaworks.org/
For assistance with training, job placement, and veteran to veteran mentorship:
VOA of Oklahoma, Helping Veterans Receive Paychecks (H.V.R.P.) assists veterans at risk of homelessness or homeless wanting to get back to employment and regain the dignity they once had.
Contact Parrish at (918) 307-1500 or pmcdaris@voaok.org
http://www.voaok.org/veteran-services
