Rep. Clarke spoke to the important role veteran-owned small business play in turning our economy around stating, “As a Member of the House Small Business Committee, I understand that small businesses are the economic engines of our country.  It is time that we protect and bolster our veteran –owned small businesses,” she continued, “Unfortunately, our veterans are coming home to a job crisis. For this reason, it was an honor to host this forum with my colleagues, for veterans who want to start or grow a small business in New York City with the intent to hire veterans and create jobs through entrepreneurship, ushering the United States into a new age of prosperity.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of unemployed veterans was 7.4% in November 2011, far above the national average, and as more soldiers return from duty, these percentages could very well increase as veterans struggle to find employment in a languid job market.  Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 8.2% of working veterans are self-employed in 2010; a statistic reinforcing the absolute necessity of supporting veteran-owned small businesses as a mechanism for job growth.

Members of the New York City delegation expressed their committement to ensuring that our veteran-owned small businesses have the resources they need to prosper in New York City, as well as across the nation.

“Honoring our veterans requires more than just lip service – it means providing economic opportunities.  By helping veterans become entrepreneurs, we empower them to support themselves and their families,” stated Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Ranking Democrat of the House Small Business Committee.

“Our veterans risk everything to fight for our nation’s security and it is incumbent upon both the government and our communities to ensure that they are successful when they return to civilian life,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY).  “By helping veterans grow small businesses, we not only help the American economy but also get the opportunity to thank those who have fought and sacrificed for their country.”

“Military service is the highest expression of patriotism,” stated U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY).  “As with all Americans, I am thankful for the commitment and daily sacrifices our military makes to protect our country and defend our democracy.  As members of Congress, we have a duty to address the needs of our men and women in uniform.  In part because of their training and experience in the military, in part because of their energy, ideas, and enthusiasm – and with a little help from the rest of us — veterans can be very successful small business owners and entrepreneurs.  Today’s event will help equip them with many of the essential tools necessary to start or expand a business.”

“Our military members and veterans are truly the best of America.  As we emerge from the Great Recession, all too many veterans are having a difficult time finding jobs or expanding their businesses – despite the skills and high degree of professionalism that former members of our military bring to the workplace.  I thank my colleague and good friend Congresswoman Clarke for organizing today’s forum and for her leadership in helping today’s veterans become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs,” said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).

“It is unconscionable that veterans, who were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, are not afforded the very best in economic opportunities the greatest country in the world has to offer.  America must provide access to entrepreneurship for those veterans who are willing to seek it.  We have the resources.  It is our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure every veteran’s dream to become a small business owner, a reality,” stated Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY).

Congresswoman Clarke was fervent in expressing her desire to support veterans stating, “… let us continue to honor the soldiers who risked their lives for us.  Just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must not leave any veterans behind when they come home. Know that I and my colleagues hosting today, will continue to honor our veterans by supporting legislation that provides them with the benefits they deserve.”

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are joining forces to provide America’s newest generation of military veterans with more than $1 million in apparel and footwear to start new civilian wardrobes. With over two million servicemen and women who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the “Welcome Heroes” campaign seeks to honor and support recent vets with the apparel needed to pursue new career opportunities or to enjoy the leisure activities missed most at home.

“Our military service members spend years wearing a uniform and many do not get the opportunity to build a wardrobe that makes it possible for them to go to a job interview, attend a friend’s wedding or simply enjoy a night out with their spouse,” said Steve Lawrence, executive vice president and senior general merchandise manager for jcpenney. “Given all the sacrifices they make to serve our country, we’re doing our part as a leading American retailer to outfit our nation’s heroes with the head-to-toe looks needed to dress for any occasion with style.”

“After taking off the uniform, one of the greatest challenges that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans face is transitioning to a civilian workforce that doesn’t truly understand their experience. Thousands of veterans are coming home today to significantly higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than their civilian peers,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director of IAVA. “Having the confidence to walk into an interview and articulate the value of their military experience is absolutely critical for navigating today’s job market. IAVA is proud to partner with jcpenney on ‘Welcome Heroes’ so veterans of this new greatest generation have the resources needed to continue their leadership and service at home.”

To be eligible, military service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan can go to therucksack.org from Oct. 20 through Nov. 20 to register for the jcpenney giveaway once they have confirmed their free membership with IAVA at iava.org.  Following the registration period, over 6,000 qualified entries will be randomly selected to receive $200 in merchandise certificates toward the purchase of men’s or women’s apparel available at jcpenney or jcp.com. As the retail destination for all Liz Claiborne® and Claiborne® branded merchandise as well as modern career wear options from Stafford®, J. Ferrar®, IZOD, JOE Joseph Abboud®, Worthington®, American Living and East 5th®, veterans will be able to choose from a broad selection of suits, tailored clothing and casual sportswear.

To showcase jcpenney’s stylish assortment of professional and lifestyle attire, jcpenney featured real veterans to model for its “Matters of Style” mailer and captured behind-the-scenes footage from the photo shoot. Through video diaries posted on jcp.com/welcomeheroes and stories highlighted in the mailer, veterans share their deployment experiences by recalling some of the things they missed most from home and the importance of outfitting returning veterans with new clothes.

As Veterans Day approaches, Iraq and Afghanistan vets are not only coming home to yellow ribbons but also unemployment checks. At an average of 12.1 percent, joblessness in our community continues to outpace the civilian rate in 2011. Over 235,000 veterans were left searching for work in September alone. On the ground, IAVA has been working all year with corporate partners on our Combat to Career campaign to open doors and job opportunities for new veterans nationwide. In October, IAVA kicked off the first of five Smart Job Fairs in San Francisco with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, bringing together top U.S. companies committed to hiring the New Greatest Generation. To learn more about upcoming job fairs in New York City, Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas, visit IAVA’s Combat to Career portal.

About J. C. Penney Company, Inc.
J. C. Penney Company, Inc., one of America’s leading retailers, operates over 1,100 jcpenney department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com. Serving more than half of America’s families each year, the jcpenney brand offers a wide array of private, exclusive and national brands which reflect the Company’s vision to be America’s shopping destination for discovering great styles at compelling prices. Traded as “JCP” on the New York Stock Exchange, the $17.8 billion retailer is transforming its organization to support its Long Range Plan strategies to build a sustainable, profitable enterprise that serves its customers, engages its associates and rewards its shareholders.  For more information visit, www.jcpenney.net.

About IAVA
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 200,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country’s newest generation of veterans and their families.

If you are a member of the media who wishes to arrange an interview with IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, an IAVA Member Veteran involved in the “Welcome Heroes” program or veteran struggling with unemployment, please contact Isabel Black at (212) 982-9699 or Isabel@iava.org.

jcpenney media contact: Daphne Avila; (972)431-3400; jcpcorpcomm@jcpenney.com

Follow IAVA on Twitter.com/IAVAPressRoom

——————————————

This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

Does Your Company Have Job Openings?

Hire A Veteran: Paving The Way To Welcome Our Troops Home

WHY HIRE A VETERAN? A large number of our troops are returning home and need employment. Participate in the Hire a Veteran job fair and give back to our troops.
WHEN? November 9th from 11:00AM- 3:00PM
WHERE? Merri-Makers Caterers at The PNC Reception Center in Holmdel, Exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway.
REGISTRATION? Table registration fee is $200, for a 6ft table with two chairs.

Questions?
Call Scott at 973-538-1250 x 1355
Or email hireaveteran@greatermedianj.com

————————–

This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled  veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

Included in the Aviation Services sub section are additional sub categories including:
Aviation Engineering Services
Aviation Maintenance Services
Aviation Logistics Services

If you are the owner of an Aviation Services company and are a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of Aviation Services businesses owned by veterans, active duty military, reservist and/or service disabled veterans of the United States Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

If you are the owner of a Digital Logging Recorder company and are a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

Digital Logging Recorders are used to record 911 calls and other communications for police stations, PSAPS, air traffic control towers, military operations, hospitals, university security departments, fire departments, ambulance services, homeland security and any other industry where recording phone communications is essential. The companies listed in this directory all manufacture and sell these logging recorders.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of Digital Logging Recorder Manufacturing businesses owned by veterans, active duty military, reservist and/or service disabled veterans of the United States Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

If you are an independent real estate agent or an agent with an agency and you are a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of Independent Real Estate Agents who are veterans, active duty military, reservist and/or service disabled veterans of the United States military.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

Currently, there are veteran-owned Education and Training schools listed that offer training related to:

• Auto Driving Schools
• Martial Arts Training (including: Martial Arts Schools)
• Online Schools (including: Online Traffic Schools)
• Boating and Marine (including: Boating Safety Training and Captain’s Licensing Courses)
• Motorcycle Driver Training
• Scuba Diving Training

If you are the owner and/or manager of a company that specializes in education and training services and your company or school is owned by a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your business’ free listing.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of veteran-owned, active duty military, reservist and service disabled veteran owned businesses that offer education and training services to individuals as well as businesses throughout the United States.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

Currently the Health and Medical section lists health care facilities and services related to (partial list):

• Care Giver Services
• Environmental Health
• Exercise and Rehabilitation (Health Clubs | Personal Trainers | Yoga | Massage Therapy | Pilates Training)
• Hypnotherapy
• Nutrition
• Chiropractic Care
• Medical Equipment and Parts
• Holistic Health Care
• Mental Health Services
• Wellness Programs

As well as individual medical practices and medical facilities representing everything from plastic surgery to general family practice that are all owned by and/or managed by United States military veterans, active duty or reservist physicians and business owners.

We anticipate adding several hundred subcategories related to Health and Medical over the coming weeks as we continue to grow the Veteran Owned Business Directory to cater to all healthcare and medical related practices and businesses throughout the United States that are owned by veterans, active duty military, reservists and service disabled veterans. 

Also, if you are the owner and/or manager of a Health and Medical related practice that is owned by a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to direct them to the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get their business’ free listing.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

With the new push into alternative energy sources by the Obama Adminstration, solar energy is among a growing list of industries that should be growing over the next few years.  Businesses offering solar energy products and services include solar panel companies, solar energy consultants, businesses offering solar energy education and training, solar energy research companies and other solar energy products and service companies.

The objective of the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com Directory is to offer a growing list of veteran-owned, active duty military, reservist and service disabled veteran owned businesses that offer services and products in the growing solar energy industry.

If you are the owner and/or manager of a company that specializes in solar energy products and/or services and your company is owned by a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your business’ free listing.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com

If you are the owner and/or manager of a company that specializes in the manufacturing of green products and your company is owned by a current or past member of the United States armed forces, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your business’ free listing.

Thank You,

Project Services Department
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com