BUDDY-TO-BUDDY VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL July 19 & August 1, 2016 Buddy-to-Buddy is a peer-to-peer outreach program that trains veterans to provide peer support and linkage to needed resources for Michigan Post-9/11 service members and veterans. Visit us at www.buddytobuddy.org or reach us at buddytobuddyvvp@umich.edu or 1-888-82-BUDDY. Every week, Buddy-to-Buddy holds Support Calls for its 120+ volunteers, sharing resources and bringing guest speakers to provide information on topics of interest and available services.
Guest Speaker Presentation
Pure Michigan Talent Connect Guest Speaker John Redwine Departmental Manager, Talent Connect IT Services 517-335-1606 redwinej@michigan.gov Guest Speaker Summary Pure Michigan Talent Connect (PMTC) is the official labor exchange system for the state of Michigan. Each state is required to have a website like this, where employers and job seekers can meet. The website is www.mitalent.org. Job seekers can create a profile and upload a resume, and then employers can post jobs and look for job seekers The site allows job seekers to research companies There are thousands of job postings and they are all in Michigan Jobs seekers can search for a variety of job characteristics and locations, and they can automate the searches by having email alerts sent to them on a daily or weekly basis when the jobs meet their criteria Special features for Veterans: o Employers can designate their job listings as being “veteran-focused” o Veterans can self-identify as such as have the option to have employers see this designation or not o If they self-identify as veterans then they can take advantage of the site’s Veteran’s Preference: whenever any new job is posted, it automatically enters a 24-hour period in which only veterans can see the listing.
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program
www.buddytobuddy.org
AUGUST 1-2 DISCUSSION VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NOTES Summary of Volunteer Discussion: Issue/Concern: A staff member is working with a veteran who recently moved back to MI from AL to be near family. He is able to stay with family as long as he needs, and he is also able to rely on his family for transportation. The important thing, then, is finding him a job. Suggestions? Suggestions/Resolution: Pure Michigan Talent Connect Home Depot has a veterans hiring program Michigan Works! DVOP. Employability Bootcamp in Macomb County (they do resume writing, interview prep, etc.) Ford is hiring veterans in Metro Detroit Additionally, DHHS has program available (not just to vets) where they can provide up to $1500 towards the purchase of a working vehicle. Events/Points Brought Up by Volunteers: U.P. State Fair coming up August 15-21. Veterans get in free Thursday August 18th! Stiggy’s Dogs fundraiser in Shelby Township on September 17th. Carry the Fallen Ruck March, Houghton, MI, October 1: https://activeheroes.org/ A recent proposal from Scott Metcalf, CCMSgt., USAF (ret.) and members of the VFW seeks to designate a special Day of Recognition for the Veterans of the Global War on Terror. Contact Scott Metcalf at chiefmsgt@aol.com for more information or to sign the petition.