HELPING FEMALE VETERANS, MILITARY SPOUSES & FAMILIES: An Update from Grace Institute

In June of this year, Grace Institute, a tuition-free, job-training program for New York City women, made a Commitment to Action at CGI America 2012 to admit 15 female veterans, military spouses and female military family members to our program.  We are happy to report that we now have a total of 25 female veterans and members of military families joining us to begin classes on September 19th. The women will receive intensive computer training along with business writing, resume writing and soft skills training along with access to our Social Work Staff, headed by Lauren Silberstein, LMSW, for support service referrals.  Lauren is also putting together a series of workshops and groups for the women.  

"We are very much looking forward to having our female veterans, spouses and family members as part of our program at Grace Institute and assisting them as they make the transition to civilian life," says Shari Krull, Executive Director of Grace Institute.

The Admissions team headed by Gigi Gilliard, Manager Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions at Grace, has worked tirelessly to reach out to the Veterans' Community in New York.  "Grace Institute has had a long standing commitment to restoring hope," says Gilliard. "We have just begun to extend this pledge to the veteran women and military families of this great nation who deserve every honor and service that we can possibly provide, she continues."

A graduate of our August 2012 class, Tanya Thomas, is a military spouse survivor.  Tanya has been a guiding light in assisting us in learning, first hand, what the experience of transition has been for her and other spouses and families as we build our veterans initiative.  She is currently a palliative care volunteer at the Veterans Hospital in St. Albans, Queens and is looking forward to working with the Grace Institute Career Services staff as she begins her job search. Tanya, (pictured at right) was also part of the Grace Institute Chorus as they performed an Independence Day program of song in July for their classmates and Grace staff.   Tanya's voice will continue to be heard: loud, clear and strong, as we all continue to work together to serve our veterans and their families. 

Jolene Varley Handy - guest blogger

Grace Institute

Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships