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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 283-12
July 31, 2012

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND SPEAKER QUINN OPEN NEW WORKFORCE1 VETERANS CAREER CENTER

Workforce1 Veterans Center Will Help Place Veterans in Jobs and Increase Employment Among the Veteran Community in New York City

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Small Business Services Commissioner Robert W. Walsh today celebrated the opening of the new Workforce1 Veterans Career Center located at 60 Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The dedicated center represents a significant component of the Workforce1 Veterans Employment Initiative, which was launched with the support of Robin Hood – New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization – and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which is dedicated to supporting public-private partnerships and is working with Robin Hood on a range of veteran-specific efforts. The new Workforce1 Veterans Career Center will offer intensive career services and training opportunities to veterans and their spouses, work with employers committed to hiring veterans, and help connect more veterans to stable and meaningful employment across the city. In 2011, Workforce1 helped place more than 800 veterans in jobs, and through the new services the City is expected to increase the number of veterans served to 1,250 per year – an increase of more than 50 percent. The Mayor made the announcement at the new center on Madison Avenue and 26th Street, where he was also joined by Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Terrance Holliday, Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Center Manager Anthony Morvillo and Robin Hood Managing Director Eric Weingartner.

“America’s veterans have put their lives on the line to uphold the freedoms that make our nation the world’s greatest,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We can never fully repay the debt we owe them, but we can make sure they have the support they need when they return to civilian life, including the jobs they deserve.”

“Our City and our country owe America's veterans more than just gratitude -- and with this new dedicated workforce center, Mayor Bloomberg is helping ensure that our returning heroes get connected to promising employment opportunities,” Deputy Robert K. Mayor Steel said. “We are confident that New York's businesses will benefit from the opportunity to hire veterans to fill important positions as New York's economy continues to create jobs.”

“It is our responsibility to support the needs of those who answered the call to serve our nation, and one of their greatest needs is rewarding, stable employment. Today we are answering the call to connect more veterans to good jobs,” said Speaker Quinn. “The launch of this new facility will provide another valuable resource in a network of services that will further help our veterans as they return to the civilian workforce. These brave men and women deserve every opportunity we can offer, and we in City government remain unwavering in our commitment to improving the services our veterans deserve and rely upon.”

“Veterans have served our country, and now it’s our turn to do all that we can to serve them,” said Small Business Services Commissioner Walsh. “Workforce1 placed 800 veterans in jobs in 2011, and now with our new Workforce1 Veterans Career Center up and running, we will be able to do even more.”

“Veterans are returning to challenging economical hurdles as they seek to begin or to renew their ‘battle rhythm’ as they rejoin the civilian workforce,” said Terrance Holliday, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs.  “These men and women are focused leaders with organizational and personal traits that will be great fits for any employer. The Workforce1 model will compliment these candidates, and help make a match to employers in New York City.”

“Veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our country and I believe that we should do everything possible to assist them, especially the thousands of veterans currently looking for job opportunities” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Chair of the Veterans Committee in the New York City Council. “I want to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, Commissioner Walsh and the Robin Hood Foundation for creating a Workforce1 Career Center designed specifically for veterans who are unemployed and seeking to advance their careers. This will improve the lives of many veterans and I look forward to continue working together with the Mayor, the Speaker and all of my colleagues to address issues affecting veterans living across New York City.”

“Robin Hood is pleased to partner with the City of New York and Workforce1 to help veterans transition to meaningful jobs once their military service is up,” said Eric Weingartner, Robin Hood Managing Director. “Our grant for Workforce1 will make it possible for the City to place an additional 500 veterans in good jobs throughout New York’s growing transportation, retail, healthcare and manufacturing sectors, resulting in greater stability and economic prosperity for veterans and their families. The new Workforce1 Veterans Career Center is an important, public-private partnership that can set the standard for other cities to follow.”

“The Workforce1 Veterans Career Center is dedicated to providing support to New York City veterans and equipping them with the skills they need to successfully reintegrate into the communities which they have so bravely volunteered to defend,” said Anthony Morvillo, Manager of the Workforce1 Veterans Career Center and an Afghanistan War Veteran.

The Workforce1 Veterans Career Center will have veterans on staff to provide employment services that address the veteran community in order to connect more individuals to work. There are currently more than 8,600 unemployed veterans in New York City and Center staff will understand the unique needs of veterans searching for employment. Customized services include: help translating specialized training and experience gained during military service for job opportunities; workshops and resources for career exploration, job readiness, resume development, and interview preparation and skills; information on education, training opportunities, supportive services, and benefits; connection to job opportunities with employers committed to hiring veterans; referrals to community partners and veterans service organizations for resources beyond employment; and regular follow-up by Workforce1 Veterans Career Center staff. Through a partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs, the center will work closely with veteran service organizations and other community partners on outreach and access to additional employment and support services.

Veterans will also receive priority career services and training opportunities at the existing 15 Workforce1 Career Centers located throughout all five boroughs. Workforce1 Career Centers attract, prepare, and connect qualified candidates to job opportunities in New York City using a combination of recruitment expertise, industry knowledge, and skill-building services that strengthen candidates’ employment prospects to make strong matches for job candidates and businesses alike. Staff at all Workforce1 Career Centers will receive special training on how to better serve veterans’ needs.

Visit www.nyc.gov or call 311 for a list of Workforce1 Career Center locations throughout the City, and to sign up for the Workforce1 Career Bulletin, a weekly email featuring the latest job openings available through the centers. New Yorkers can also find valuable resources online through the Workforce1 Career Blog, and by following Workforce1 on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/ Julie Wood   (212) 788-2958

Merideth Weber (SBS)   (212) 513-6318



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