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Fairfax County Veterans Collaborative
Reminder: The next Fairfax County Veterans Collaborative meeting is
Tuesday, August 4 from
1:00 - 3:00 pm
join us from the comfort of your computer or phone!

We ask that you register to join the meeting:


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join.

We know some are unable to join a Zoom Meeting on your government or employer-issued computer.

Please note that you can also join in by phone by calling: 301-715-8592 and enter meeting ID: 987 9897 1842

Meeting Notes from June 2:
Thanks to all that attended our June meeting. We apologize for the delay in sending the follow up notes.

For those unable to attend, you can view the recorded meeting and download the chat room notes here:


We had four speakers at this month’s collaborative to discuss employment opportunities for veterans in our area. Katie Leonard from Zero Model NOVA, Dale York, NOVA Vets Connect, Victoria Weber, Shelters to Shutters and Vonzell Mattocks of NVTC. Thank you to our presenters for their discussion during this difficult time with COVID-19.

Here's an overview of their organizations:


Katie Leonard, Founding Partner at Zero Model NOVA joined us to provide an overview of the employment opportunities available through their portfolio of companies.

Zero Model NOVA works to employ the most qualified men and women within the companies they launch. Criminal histories or other barriers do not preclude individuals from employment. Zero Model NOVA focus is on skills, talent, drive and ambition. Zero Model NOVA understands that income is one of the largest predictors of quality of life and health so they work alongside community partners and stakeholders to ensure women and men are equipped with the necessary skills and mindset to succeed. Current opportunity is with an auto transport company they have partnered with who need drivers. They are looking for qualified veterans. Applicants can submit their information here.

Requirements: at least 21 years old, clean driving record within last 3 years, ability to drive manual transmission, ability to travel inter-state, basic knowledge of truck maintenance/mechanics, ability to load/unload and strap-down vehicles on a trailer. No CDL required. 
 
Drivers are typically over the road 3-4 days at a time and travel throughout the contiguous US. Starting pay is $0.29/mile (once drivers are familiar with the job, usually within a couple months of driving, the average take-home pay is between $1,700 - $2,200, bi-weekly).  

Katie said that no one employed by any of their companies in their portfolios earns less than $16/hr. Offer business support and strategies to those entrepreneurs who have been challenged particularly minorities is focus for 2022.

For more information, contact Katie at katiel@zeromodel.com.

Dale York, Founder and Owner of NOVA Vets Connect joined us to share more about his home health organization that frequently hires veterans and military spouses to serve as caregivers for other veterans in Northern Virginia.

NOVA Vets Connect’s initial purpose was to connect veterans to other veterans to combat loneliness and depression. NOVA Vets Connect Home Care is a licensed home care agency that provides compassionate and professional home care services for seniors and veterans of all physical conditions and cognitive abilities.

Services are provided throughout Northern Virginia at personal residences, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or wherever the person or their loved one resides. Services are available for a few hours a day to 24-hour live-in care.

Nova Vets Connect is always looking to hire quality companions and caregivers to assist their veterans and seniors with daily living .

For more information, contact Dale at dale@novavetsconnect.com.

Victoria Weber, Intake Coordinator at Shelters to Shutters joined us to share more about their passion to hire veterans and others in need through their network of property management communities.

Shelters to Shutters is a nonprofit organization that brings together apartment industry and real estate professionals who are committed to offering opportunity and economic independence to individuals facing homelessness .

Shelters to Shutters provides housing and employment opportunities to the homeless by educating and engaging real estate/property management leaders and encouraging action within their communities.

Shelters to Shutters also partners with local organizations that serve the homeless, veterans, and domestic violence victims to identify successful candidates for the Shelters to Shutters Program. Most of the employment opportunities are entry level positions typically within the maintenance field. Most individuals hired through this program are offered housing at the property they are working, typically at a 40-70% discount for the first year of employment.

The individual has ongoing case management support for 90 days after hiring to promote success for the individual. Most participants continue to live at their location for a 20% discount for remainder of their employment with the property management company. A veteran must come from a partner organization (be referred) to be considered for employment.

For more information, contact Victoria at intake@shelterstoshutters.org.

Vonzell Mattocks, Executive Director at the NVTC's Veterans Employment Initiative joined us to provide an overview of the services available through Easterseals for Military and Veteran families.

Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is a membership and trade association for the technology community in Northern Virginia. NVTC serves about 1,000 companies and organizations, including businesses from all sectors of the technology industry, service providers, universities, foreign embassies, non-profit organizations and government agencies. The NVTC Foundation's is the charitable arm of NVTC whose purpose is to support unemployed Veterans of the United States Armed Services through the support of employment initiatives focused on Veterans, and to pursue other charitable and educational initiatives. NVTC Foundation supports the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative, which matches veterans with jobs, internships, mentorships and certifications, while also providing support to member companies in their efforts to hire, train and retain qualified veteran employees.

Vonzell also discussed USTechVets.org . USTechVets.org is a U.S. technology industry career portal created to connect Veterans, including transitioning military personnel and their spouses, with meaningful jobs in America's technology industry. USTechVets.org is a collaborative effort of the, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) , Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) and it’s Veterans Employment Initiative , Monster.com and Military.com focused on reducing Veteran and military spouse unemployment and giving technology industry companies improved access to American’s Veteran workforce. U.S. Tech Vets provides a way for the technology community to find and hire top quality talent. Through their membership in CTA, NVTC and other technology associations, thousands of employers can promote their jobs to American's Veterans. Employers can also search America's largest resume database of over one million resumes to find quality Veteran talent.

For more information, contact Vonzell at VMattocks@NVTC.org.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you from your Fairfax County Veterans Collaborative Co-Chairs,

Christy Kenady 
Northern Virginia Program Manager
703-288-5355 

Michele Khol
Director of Operations
MK9s Service Dogs
703-336-3618

Aug 4; Oct 6; Dec 1
1 – 3 pm, Location: TBD
Please continue to share information, services & events with the Veterans Collaborative through this email. We appreciate your partnership and continued support of the Collaborative.
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