Department of Veterans Affairs

Employment & Job Training Assistance

Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
This program focuses on veterans with barriers to employment, including lack of secure permanent housing. Individuals are referred by the local Veterans Administration, Another Homeless Vet, and walk-ins. Services may include employability skills training, transitional work experience, occupational skills training, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Contact:
616-437-1851 -or- 616-292-6592
veteranservices@goodwillgr.org

Veterans Workforce Investment Program
The Veterans Workforce Investment Program addresses the unique needs of Veterans seeking employment. Goodwill assists eligible Veterans in a variety of areas relating to job training, placement and retention with an emphasis on green career fields. Veterans also receive support in developing and strengthening employability skills. Individuals participating in this program are eligible because of their service in the United States Armed Forces. Those who have been dishonorably discharged cannot be considered for the program.

Contact:
616-893-2335 -or- 616-318-1965
veteranservices@goodwillgr.org

State of Michigan Workforce Development Agency

Veteran Services Division
Veterans Priority of Service - Employment Services; job development, referrals, resume assistance, vocational guidance, Referral to Michigan Works! workshops, County Veteran Services- Vet Centers - Veterans Service Organizations - Customized Employer Connection, and more.

Contact:
R. Dean Morehead Veterans Employment Specialist
121 Franklin St S.E, Suite 120
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
616-336-8790

David Marin, DVOW
marind@michigan.gov

Michigan Works! - Main Office

Contact:
1560 Leonard NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: 616-336-4462
Fax: 616-336-4999
www.mitalent.org/veteran/

Troops to Teachers Program

The purpose of TTT is to assist eligible military personnel to transition to a new career as public school teachers in targeted schools. A network of State TTT Offices has been established to provide participants with counseling and assistance regarding certification requirements, routes to state certification, and employment leads. The TTT homepage provides information and resource links, including a job referral system to allow participants to search for job vacancies as well as links to state Departments of Education, state certification offices, model resumes, and other job listing sites in public education. Pending availability of funds, financial assistance may be provided to eligible individuals as stipends up to $5K to help pay for teacher certification costs or as bonuses of $10K to teach in schools serving a high percentage of students from low-income families. Participants who accept the Stipend or Bonus must agree to teach for three years in targeted schools in accordance with the authorizing legislation.

Contact:
Edwardeen M. Jones Director
Michigan Troops to Teachers
Michigan Department of Education
John A. Hannah Building
608 W. Allegan St
Lansing MI, 48909
Toll Free: 866-801-0007
Phone: 517-373-9732
FAX: 517-373-0542
Jonese9@michigan.gov
www.michigan.gov/troopstoteachers

VETBIZ Central

Vetbizcentral, formerly known as The Michigan Veterans Business Resource Center, is a non-profit agency located at 711 N. Saginaw St., Suite 206, Flint, MI. The center serves veterans, all members of the National Guard and Reserve, active duty military personnel and veterans' surviving spouses throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Providing Veterans the right information for starting or expanding their businesses.

Contact:
866-716-VETS (8387)
vetbizcentral.org

Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment

Contact:
Michael A. Poyma
Employment Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
3001 Coolidge Rd.
Suite 401
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
517-203-0947
517-203-0954 fax
vetsuccess.gov

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States-Department of Michigan

"The VFW's Veterans Employment Assistance Service strives to ensure the employment rights and benefits of veterans in the workplace. This is achieved by working directly with federal and state agencies, as well as congressional representatives." The Department of Michigan is committed to promoting the employment needs of veterans while striving to ensure their employment rights and benefits. In partnership with the State of Michigan, the Department of Michigan has hosted nearly 50 veteran job fairs over the past several years in support of that principle.

Contact:
www.vfwmi.org