Latest News: Veterans in battle for jobs
-->Ron Strang had a firm plan for his life after the Marine Corps. He would use his associate degree in criminal justice and military experience to get a job as a police officer.
Last year, a roadside bomb in Afghanistan took off a section of his left leg, replacing his plans with uncertainty. After many surgeries, Strang, 27, of Scott does not know if or when he'll recover to be able to fulfill his dream.
"I'm not sure what I'll do for a job," he said. "I'd like to stick to the field I studied so far. We'll see how it goes."
More veterans could experience that uncertainty because of President Obama's plan to bring home the nearly 39,000 troops stationed in Iraq by year's end. The influx of veterans could strain a bleak employment landscape, veterans and advocates say.
"When all the parades are done and all the yellow ribbons are off the trees, that's when our work begins," said Albert Mercer, executive director of Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA, a South Side-based nonprofit addressing employment and housing needs.
Bureau of Labor Statistics show an unemployment rate of 9 percent in October is surpassed by a rate of 12.1 percent for veterans who have served since September 2001, up from 10.6 percent a year ago.
Statewide, nearly 100,000 veterans are out of work, including 9,849 in Allegheny County. The jobless rate among veterans in Fayette County tops the region at 15.3 percent.
Lawmakers and federal agencies are trying to help. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Vow to Hire Heroes Act, which will provide a tax credit to small businesses looking to hire out-of-work veterans and provide job training.
"This legislation helps ensure that the veterans who sacrificed for their country don't have to struggle to find a job when their service is complete," said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton.
In a speech at a military base in El Paso, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told soldiers and their families that the Fed is trying to lower unemployment rates. He talked about the Fed's policies of keeping short-term rates near zero and buying securities to try to lower longer-term rates, such as mortgages.
Pa Homeless Veterans - News
Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center, Armstrong County, Pa. - provides a community-based residential treatment facility for homeless veterans needing rehabilitation and support. Scott Place Shelter, Fairmont, W.Va. - provides transitional housing and
Ray Webb, supervisor at Shepherd's Heart, which offers temporary homes for veterans, said he's seeing more young homeless veterans than before. "Iraq and Afghanistan vets, we're seeing them now," said Webb, 52, an Army veteran.
of Charity (Upper St. Clair), St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Mt. Lebanon), VA Pittsburgh's Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program, Verizon Pioneers, the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, and Young Lawyers Group of Pittsburgh.
While less than 10 percent of the population of the United States are veterans, they comprise 25 percent of the entire homeless population. All told, the Veteran's Administration estimates that there are 107000 homeless veterans nationwide.
305-889-5701 Jungle Island Celebrates Veterans Day: The park will host a food drive to benefit the American Veteran Food Assistance Program, a partner of the Miami Coalition for the Homeless. Bring a canned good and get into the Jungle for $11.
Refrigerator Needed for Homeless Veterans Housing in Pittsburgh ...
Housing for homeless veterans in Pittsburgh needs a new refrigerator for one of the units that will soon be occupied.
We have recently obtained a quote from Lowes for two gas stoves that we now have the funds to purchase.
We also have ongoing needs for bedding, and other types of bedding and cleaning supplies. You can contact me about these articles.
Make your check payable to "PA American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans" for "household needs." Send your donations to me or Verla Mae Shultz.
RT @: 10% of PA homeless are veterans. Those who fought for our country deserve better. Veterans
RT @: 10% of PA homeless are veterans. Those who fought for our country deserve better. Veterans
RT @: 10% of PA homeless are veterans. Those who fought for our country deserve better. Veterans
10% of PA homeless are veterans. Those who fought for our country deserve better. Veterans