VALDOSTA —
With all of the things veterans do for the country, Valdosta Veterans First, in partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, decided to give a little back by hosting the first-ever Veterans Education and Benefits Fair.
“There are veterans in the area that don’t know the full scope of benefits available to them,” said Tim Oliver with Veterans First. “It’s an opportunity to bring all these organizations to them ... under one roof.”
More than 35 vendors and organizations provided information free of charge regarding educational programs and assistance, health-care and mental health-related problems, housing, career guidance and more.
Gary Thomas, a veteran who spent more than six years in the Army, found many helpful resources to help jump-start his career out of the military.
“There’s a lot of resources, a lot of employers and a lot of education assistance,” he said.
Thomas is looking to return to school. He began attending Wiregrass on and off in 2005 and hopes to learn more about some assistance program to help continue his secondary education.
“Just trying to see what they offer,” said Thomas.
Paul Thomas and Forris Phillips, who have both served at Moody Air Force Base for three years, initially came to the fair to volunteer. But they both found programs at Wiregrass that will allow them to finish their college education while fulfilling their demanding military schedules.
“If we get into the electrical program, that will finish out my electrical engineering degree,” said Thomas.
Phillips said they both have extensive experience but having more education will benefit their civilian career track after the military.
“I also saw the VFW and the American Legion and just more things that will help us while we serve and after we get out,” said Phillips.
One of the more pivotal things represented at the fair was the new Veterans Retraining Assistance Program.
“It allows veterans an opportunity to go to school and get new training to prepare them for jobs,” said Tony McKenzie with the Department of Veterans Affairs within the Department of Labor.
VRAP offers up to 12 months of retraining assistance to veterans who meet all of the following criteria:
• Unemployed.
• At least 35 but no more than 60 years old.
• Have any other than dishonorable discharge.
• Not eligible for any other VA education benefit programs.
• Not in receipt of VA compensation due to Individual Unemployability.
• Not enrolled in a federal or state job-training program.
VRAP applications are being accepted now for programs that begin on or after July 1.
“Our job is to take care of our veterans,” said McKenzie. “We are veterans ourselves.”
Assistance under this benefit program ends March 31, 2014. Programs must also meet the following criteria to qualify:
• Be offered by a community college or technical school.
• Lead to an associate’s degree or certificate.
• Train the veteran for a high-demand occupation.
“To ensure the veterans of the assistance they receive free of charge,” said McKenzie.
Unemployed veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. For more information, visit www.benefits,va.gov/VOW or call 1-800-827-1000.
The Veterans Education and Benefits Fair also included the needs of military spouses. In order to encourage spouses of military personnel to pursue education, the Military Spouses Career Advancement Account program prepares military spouses for employment in health career fields. With up to $4,000 of financial assistance from the Department of Defense, spouses may train for careers that are in the highest demand.
The Valdosta/Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce also participated in the fair.
“The chamber is very involved with Moody Air Force Base, Wiregrass and Tim Oliver,” said Varian Brown, the chamber’s director of economic development.
The chamber felt this fair was a great opportunity to inform veterans about the SEEDS Business Resource Center which assists citizens who are trying to open a business, Brown said.
Some of the other organizations that participated in the event include the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Valdosta State University, Webster University, Park University, Georgia Military College, Thomas University, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Brain Injury Advocate Services of Georgia and more.
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