A FAMILY Affair by Anh Nguyen
How a nonprofit can help transitioning military and their partners
Z
ero8Hundred is a nonprofit organization that, in Riverside or Orange counties; be an active duty service partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, member; be the spouse of an active duty service member; provides no-cost transition support to military or be a Reservist or National Guardsman or their spouse. members 12 months prior to separation and up to 24 Enrolled members can receive individualized support up to months post-separation. Their clients currently reside a full year prior to military separation and up to two years across the globe—at various military bases either in San post-military. Diego County or with plans to return there. “We recognize that the transition process for “Every client is very unique. Once that a service member can be a whole family service member connects with our experience, so we help military spouses master social worker, we are going to create goals that are independent “Every client is help the service member identify to them, and we would support their needs and establish a plan them just the same as we do our very unique. Once that and goals with them,” says transitioning members,” Camac current Zero8Hundred CEO says. service member connects Ashley Camac. The organization serves with our master social worker, The team at all ranks in the military and Zero8Hundred is proudly supports any discharge status. we are going to help the service made up of trained They outreach directly with peer navigators with the Command Navy Region member identify their needs and lived military experience Southwest headquartered in themselves. The organization San Diego and through the establish a plan and goals with received the 2022 Nonprofit Department of Labor. them." of the Year Award from Senator “Our program is presented Tony Atkin, according to Camac. to the students that are attending ASHLEY CAMAC “Our resource specialists are TAP, the official Transition ZERO8HUNDRED CEO master social workers, who work Assistance Program with the military,” with clients to complete a full needs Camac says. “Through an Employment assessment that helps establish goals that each Navigation Pilot Program and when the client can work through individually,” Camac says. Department of Labor briefs in the 21 locations around In order to enroll with Zero8Hundred, one should the world, any service member who identifies as coming plan to live, work or go to school in San Diego, Imperial,
TRANSITION SERVICES EMPLOYMENT:
assisting with resume writing, job seeking and translating military skills to civilian skills
Ashley Camac, Zero8Hundred CEO, says most service members and their spouses prioritize employment and higher education as they return to civilian life. PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUMAN
back to Southern California will be introduced directly into the Zero8Hundred enrollment team.” Camac says the majority of their clients’ primary goals are to seek employment and higher education opportunities, and to translate military skills to civilian sectors. “Our team is the best of the best,” Camac says. “They are truly dedicated to serving the population that we are here to serve.” To learn more about Zero8Hundred, visit Zero8Hundred.org.
Zero8Hundred offers direct services in specific areas to the transitioning service members and their families. They categorize their resources into five pillars.
EDUCATION:
connecting directly to schools, universities and training opportunities for certifications and licenses
BASIC NEEDS:
connecting to resources for emergency food, housing, material goods, transportation, utilities, financial services and legal aid services
HEALTH AND WELLNESS:
connecting to resources such as health and mental health support
COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
organizing social events, support groups, social development, self-care and personal enrichment, and military family support services
County of San Diego Office of Military & Veterans Affairs
sandiegocounty.gov
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