SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2012 –
The Walmart Foundation recently awarded Swords to Plowshares, a San
Francisco-based veteran service agency, a statewide grant to improve and
increase job training programs for California veterans. The grant will
provide assistance to 700 veterans in underserved areas of California.
“Veterans, especially those who recently served in Iraq and
Afghanistan, need support in finding meaningful job opportunities,” said
Michael Blecker, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares. “This
grant will have a significant impact on our ability to provide job
training and place more veterans in jobs throughout California.The grant from Walmart Foundation will also allow Swords to Plowshares to re-grant job training dollars to veteran service providers throughout California, particularly in communities with the highest number of unemployed veterans. Veterans will receive assistance with job training programs in high-growth industries, pre-employment assistance and placement with local employers. The Walmart grant will greatly complement each organization’s existing array of services for job seeking veterans.
“As one of the nation’s largest private employers of veterans and those on active duty, we share Sword to Plowshare’s vision of a country where every veteran has a chance to succeed economically and support his or her family,” said retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Gary Profit, senior director of military programs at Walmart. “Walmart has committed $20 million to making that vision a reality by supporting organizations and programs that provide job and skills training to our veterans. These young men and women stood up for us, and now it’s our turn to stand up for them.”
“We know firsthand that far too many veterans have a difficult time transitioning the skills they learned in the military to the civilian workforce,” said Blecker. “This grant is key to providing the support veterans need amidst a challenged economy and competitive workforce.”
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