Resources for Veterans returning to the Tri-States

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Dubuque, IA- Veterans returning home with service-connected injuries may receive assistance to help re-enter the civilian job market or obtain training to enhance their employment value for tri-state employers. Iowa Workforce Development has two Veterans’ Career Consultants (VCC), Ray Owensby and Kent Roeder, who serve veterans in eight northeast Iowa counties. Ray Owensby said, “Returning veterans will receive not only a greeting of “Welcome Home!”, but also a wide range of services to find a new job. Veterans with a 20% or more compensation rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs can enroll in training/education programs with all tuition, books, fees, computer, transportation and child care costs are provided, plus receive a living allowance during the period the veteran is enrolled in school”. Through coordination with area County Commission of Veterans Affairs staff, Veteran Medical Center staff and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the service-connected injured veteran is assisted into a training program that matches his or her interests and is within their physical abilities.

Veterans’ Career Consultant, Kent Roeder stated, “An example of this assistance is a returning veteran by the name of Abraham Ohnesorge, who returned home from combat duty in Iraq. This veteran sustained a severe service-connected injury from an RPG attack on his Humvee. In October 2004, Ray and I met with Abe who wanted to enroll in college, earn a bachelors degree and become an accountant. Through coordination with Veterans Administration service providers, Mr. Ohnesorge is now enrolled at Clarke College in an accounting program”. Abe’s progress is excellent. He has a good grade point average and is in his second year of a four year program. He has a positive attitude and a strong desire to succeed.

We applaud Abe and all veterans for their courage and sacrifice in the defense of our nation. On April 26, 2006 the 1st Annual Tri-State Veterans Job Fair will be held to provide veterans, spouses of veterans and spouses of deployed men and women to meet with 12 employers in the Tri-state area that wish to hire veterans. This event is sponsored by Iowa Workforce Development and is located at the Dubuque Center, 590 Iowa Street from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The following businesses will have human resources staff available: A.Y. McDonald, Dubuque Data Services, Eagle Window & Door, Hillcrest Family Services, Hills & Dales, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Lowes Home Improvement, Prudential Financial Services, Sara Lee, Simons Trucking, Target Stores and Webber Metal Products, Inc. Both Veterans’ Career Consultants, Kent and Ray, encourage veterans and spouses of veterans to attend this job fair, bring copies of their resumes and dress for a possible job interview. For more information contact Ray or Kent at (563) 556-5800.