Veterans 360: Helping Young Combat Veterans Succeed

Refusing to accept the 30 percent unemployment rate for California veterans between the ages of 18 and 24, Veterans 360 (V360) offers recently-separated combat veterans the opportunity for a solid and productive future. Using a four-pronged approach which encompasses engagement, education, employment, and healing, V360 prepares and equips veterans with the interpersonal and professional skills they will need for a successful transition back into civilian life.

At a rate of 22 suicides a day, veterans are in tremendous need of a support system to deal with the overwhelming transition from military combat life to civilian life. Thousands of veterans endure unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, and despondency because they lack combat trauma coping skills.

Through V360, young veterans progress towards the goal of meaningful employment by receiving training in civilian trades, continued esprit de corps with fellow veterans, education, personal wellness coaching, opportunities to engage in local service projects, and advice on using veteran entitlements, benefits, and resources. Veteran entitlements and benefits are not used to pay for V360 services.

The Veterans 360 offers an on-going transition program of engagement, education, healing, and employment. Through engagement, veterans are involved with service work, therapeutic activities and class work on a 24/7 basis. This engagement encourages personal empowerment and a sense of purpose.

Through education, veterans receive two phases of instruction. In the first phase, they are exposed to different trades either on the job or in a classroom setting to aid in making a career choice. The second phase provides training for a specific position with a specific employer. This two-phase curriculum ensures meaningful employment.

Through employment, V360 provides the certificates required to bring a veteran’s resume to the top of the pile of resumes in front of a hiring employer. Veterans are equipped with specific trade skills that meet industry hiring requirements.

Through healing, veterans receive post-traumatic stress treatment by exposure to therapeutic modalities such as mentorship, buddy system, horticulture, equine, positive reinforcement, yoga, surfing, sailing, hypnosis, meditation, acupuncture, and team events.

Upon completion of the program, veterans are provided with continued wellness, health, education, and placement support. V360 focuses on young veterans because they are underserved, vulnerable, at greater risk, and require an entry-level support system.

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