Tribute to a Deeply Grateful Veteran

Zimya A. Toms-Trend

President Woodrow Wilson issued an Armistice Day proclamation in November 1919. In May 1954, Congress renamed the November 11 holiday to Veteran’s Day in a move to honor all veterans who served in the American armed forces.

After taking computer classes through MOSC’s Seniors Training Seniors program, Rich Wilson readied his resume.

MOSC Employment Resource Counselor Zimya Toms-Trend provided helpful hints during Rich’s job search.

When veterans arrive home, they do not have an easy time. They may return without a place to live; perhaps a job or marriage has dissolved in their absence. They may suffer from post-traumatic stress. It may take months, often years to put the pieces of their lives back in place.

However, help is available for veterans who need it. Low-income veterans may be eligible for preferred placement in job programs, including the federally funded Title V job training program here at the Mayor’s Office for Seniors (MOSC) Employment Resource Center. Our goal is to help these most vulnerable clients secure regular unsubsidized employment.

Richard Wilson, a veteran of the Vietnam era, was one such client. He came to our office in early February 2007. Just one month earlier he simultaneously lost his home and his business of over 30 years, the result of his constant battle with depression following his years of military service. Instead of giving up, however, Richard shared with me that on that day when he became homeless, “I made a commanding decision…to move forward and not turn back.”

According to Daniel G. Dumas, Ph.D. (psychologist and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder specialist and U.S. Air Force Combat Vietnam veteran 1965-66), "The suicide rate for Vietnam vets is 86% higher than the national average of peers of the same age group; 60% of all Vietnam vets have serious emotional problems; the unemployment rate for Vietnam vets is double the national average; the divorce rate for these vets is almost three times as many as the national average; 56% of all homeless Americans are veterans and 44% are Vietnam vets."

Richard’s first move forward was to contact the King County Veteran’s Program. They provided him with community voicemail service, something he describes as a "life saver," as well as other essentials such as gas and grocery cards, and clothing for job interviews. They also referred him to our job training program.

Richard filed a claim with the Disabled American Veterans National Service Office, but was denied both a service and a non-service disability. Having lost much already, he still had faith. Undeterred by this rejection, he made an appointment with the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program managed by the Compass Center to provide transitional housing for veterans. He was accepted as a tenant at Bennett House, a provisional housing facility for veterans. He also registered for the MOSC’s Seniors Training Seniors computer classes, and has since successfully completed every class offered by the program.

With a number of computer classes under his belt, he took his resume to the downtown WorkSource Spring Job Fair, walked up to the Human Resources contact from The Home Depot, gave him a resume and stated: "I've been in the wrong job for the past 35 years. Your garden department job is perfect for me since I've landscaped in the past and I know that Home Depot has a garden department." They instructed him to complete the online job application, something he wouldn’t have been able to do prior to the MOSC computer classes. Within a few days, he got the job!

This summer, Tom Warner, a case manager from Aging & Disability Services, helped Richard to secure a Section 8 Voucher so that he could move from temporary to more permanent housing.  He also helped Richard in accessing low-cost dental care.

I was amazed by how quickly Richard was able to jump through so many hoops. In August he passed his 90-day review at The Home Depot and received his first raise.

Richard emailed me recently to thank me for all of my help. Although job counselors are accustomed to receiving thank you notes, cards and/or e-mails from clients, this one was most unusual because it documented individual and collective good works of many MOSC staffers.

I feel that my life has been greatly enhanced, as well. We civilians owe much to our veterans—not just on November 11, but 365 days per year.

I’m much inspired by Richard’s attitude. He meets troubles head on. He never loses hope. “Perseverance is my favorite word,” he said, “and if this article can give one other veteran hope and a better quality of life, then it has served its purpose.” 

More Resources

Contact the King Count Veterans Program at www.metrokc.gov/dchs/csd/Veteran or (206)-296-7656.

Older veterans in King County will soon have improved access to needed mental health services. Funds from the King County Veterans and Human Services Levy will provide in-home depression treatment for older veterans and their spouses through the PEARLS Program in early 2008.

Zimya A. Toms-Trend is a MOSC Employment Resource Counselor