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Able-Disabled Advocacy Helps Veterans Find Jobs and More

Able-Disabled Advocacy (A-DA) has been providing workforce development services for San Diego veterans with and without disabilities since 1976. A-DA's VetWORKS program is funded in full through a $500,000 grant from the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) to serve recently separated veterans and veterans with service connected disabilities. The program is designed to provide customized job related assistance to veterans in their search for meaningful employment at no cost. Of the 140 veterans who were enrolled in VetWORKS since 2007, 112 (80%) have found jobs earning wages ranging from $15.00 to $50.00 per hour based on their past work experience.

All participants enrolled in the VetWORKS program receive job readiness training that consists of classroom instruction or one-on-one assistance. Each veteran is coached in resume development, interviewing skills and job search strategies in his/her vocational field of interest. The VetWORKS office also offers a computer lab that is available to veterans to conduct job search or other employment related activities, with added support from A-DA's professional and experienced job counselors.

VetWORKS also offers veterans tuition for short-term vocational training that is necessary to gain new skills for entry into the civilian workforce or assistance with skills upgrading for career advancement. The program also provides financial support for transportation, work clothing, tools and much more.

The VetWORKS office is located at 1111 Bay Blvd., Suite E, Chula Vista, CA 91911 within the South County Career Center. The phone number is 619-424-6860. Call, drop-in or log on to www.abledisabledadvocacy.org for more information.