Empowering Veterans in our Community | Veteran’s for Manufacturing Training

Celebrating Veteran’s Day 2019

This Veteran’s Day we are proud to honor the service men and women of our community who have made tremendous sacrifices to protect this nation. Today, Palmetto Goodwill encourages you to join us in recognizing and thanking the more than 400,000 veterans currently living in South Carolina along with millions more across our country.

One way you can help a veteran is to make sure they know about the services available to them. Through our veteran services arm, Palmetto Warrior Connection (PWC), we strive to empower and cultivate a community of self-sustaining warriors. From physical wounds to psychological distress, many of our nation’s veterans struggle transitioning back into the workforce, everyday society and family life. PWC aims to make a positive impact in the lives of those who have sacrificed for our country by providing veteran benefits, housing, education, employment and community connections.

One recent success story is Mike Enriquez, a former Navy computer technician. Prior to finding PWC Mike had lost his job, his car and his home. For Mike and many other veterans, the transition back to everyday society was tremendously difficult. Thankfully, through working with PWC and Operation: GoodJobs, Mike ultimately realized there was a great demand for manufacturing work in Charleston. As a result, Mike applied for and was accepted into Palmetto Goodwill’s Veteran’s for Manufacturing (VFM) Training Program.

Weeks later, Mikes ambition and hard work had paid off when he successfully graduated from the class. Within two weeks of graduating, Mike had received multiple job offers and accepted a position with MetalWorx. Currently, Mike is employed at the Mercedes Benz plant, has moved into his own apartment and looks forward to purchasing his own car.

On December 2 another Veteran’s for Manufacturing course will begin. Veterans, like Mike, receive OSHA 10 Industry Credentialing and a Forklift Certification at no cost, followed by job placement help.

Show your appreciation this Veterans Day by thanking all the veterans you know for their service and directing them to PWC if they need job service or transitional help.

Find out more at palmettogoodwill.org/vfm.