Support Our Veterans During Military Appreciation Month

Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our service members – past and present.

Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history and development of our country.

In turn, Goodwill helps ensure that every month is Military Appreciation month.  In 2015, Goodwill served more than 61,000 persons with a history of military service.  These services included job training and financial education.

Goodwill’s Veterans and Military Families Partnerships

In addition, since 2012 Goodwill has been proud to serve as a nonprofit partner of Got Your 6, one of the first examples of a nationally focused collective impact campaign. Led by the entertainment industry and national nonprofits, the initiative helps to create a new conversation in America, one where veterans and military families are perceived as both leaders and civic assets.

Further, since 2014 Goodwill has partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in the Hiring our Heroes program, which is aimed at providing employment workshops and resume reviews at Hiring our Heroes job fairs across America.

Finally, Goodwill for America’s Heroes and Their Families began April 2011 as a commitment to the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative to serve and hire veterans and military family members.  As of March 2016, Goodwill is proud to report that 3,969 persons have been hired and a total of 202,365 persons have been served.

Congress is also doing its part to help veterans.  This week, the House Veterans Affairs Economic Affairs Subcommittee approved H.R.5178, which directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide educational and vocational counseling for veterans on campuses of institutions of higher learning.  Next week the subcommittee will examine innovative careers for all generations of veterans in hearing on May 17.

Goodwill’s public policy team will keep you posted on the progress of this legislation and all activities by Congress and the VA through our Legislative Action Center and future blogs.