Boots2Work Comes Back

Two Opportunities Focused on Spouses

Here's two complementary hiring events - a free networking reception and a military spouse hiring fair coming up next month.

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Workshop for Aspiring Vetrepreneurs

Boots to Business: Reboot is a two-day intensive starting a business workshop for long-time separated and retired veterans and their spouses modeled after the current nationwide Boots to Business curriculum for newly transitioning veterans. 

It will be held on August 20 & 21 at Highline Community College from 8:30 – 4 on both days.

There will be a Resource Panel on August 21 from 9:30 – 10:50, moderated by the Small Business Administration’s own Veterans Affairs Officer, Rick Rauschenbach. 

At the Reboot to Business workshop event 21 Aug are a few key considerations:

• Link to the Agenda here.
• The presentation (Module 8-Local Resources) will be held in Building 8 of the Mt. Constance/Mt. Olympus room and the Resource Fair will be adjacent to the room
• The Resource Fair will be open from 10:50-4:00, with 2 breaks at 12:30-1:45 and 2:00-3:00

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Vet & Spouses Career Expo & Bus Schedule Expanded

Next week is the Working With Our Troops, Veterans & Spouses Career Expo

The Working with our Troops Veterans and Spouses Career Expo on the 15^th of July  is working with Partners Commercial Drivers School and First Student to provide Buses to the Washington State Convention Center.

 Here is the link to the employer list.

These Buses will transport those interested veterans to the Career Expo and return them to the point of origin  free of cost. Our host the Washington State Convention Center is providing Box lunches to those that have register to attend the EXPO at no cost.  Job seekers can register here. 

Because of the interest in this event we have extended our time by one hour to 2 p.m.

Bus pick up locations and time are as follows: 

Pierce County:

Tacoma Dome Parking Lot J

2727 E. D St

Tacoma, WA 98421

First bus Departs at 9:00 am (0900)

Second Bus Departs at 9:30 am (0930)

Snohomish County : (New addition)

Smokey Point Naval Support Complex

13900 45TH AVE NE ,

MARYSVILLE, WA 98271-7853

Bus departs at 8:30 am (0830)

Kitsap County:

Port Orchard National Guard Armory

1950 Mile Hill Drive

Port Orchard, WA 98366

Bus departs 8:30 am (0830)

All buses will depart The Washington State convention Center 2:30 pm (1430) to return to their point origin.

For those that wish to drive we will validate parking at the Convention Center.

Please register as soon as possible @ www.workingwithourtroops.eventbrite.com

We have 130 Exhibitors in Aerospace, Manufacturing, Logistics, Transportation, Medical/Healthcare, IT, Management, Administration, Law Enforcement, and much more.  Here is the link to the employer list.

Recruit Military Veteran Career Fair - Seattle

Where:   Safeco Field
               1250 1st Avenue South
               Seattle, WA 98134
When:    Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Why:      To change the lives of veterans and their families by connecting them with companies that value their talent and experience.

Please notify the veterans you serve and work with about this event and encourage them to pre-register for FREE here.

The Seattle area events provide many great career options for veterans and their spouses. The 44 companies already attending have hundreds of positions they are recruiting for, and many more companies will be added in the weeks ahead.

Some of the companies are below, and a full listing can be found through the link above.

•    Amtrak
•    USAA
•    Amazon
•    Texas Instruments
•    Military Sealift Command
•    BNSF Railway
•    City of Seattle
•    Lockheed Martin
•    Point Eight Power and more

You may print and post this flyer for anyone who might be interested in attending this event.

New Veterans Employment Tool Launched

Military members, veterans, and their spouses now have an easier way to find employment, announced First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden on Wednesday at Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Veterans Employment Center is "the first online one-stop shopping tool for veterans," according to an April 23 release. "Starting today, every single service member, every veteran, and every military family will have access to a new online tool that will revolutionize how you find jobs in both the public and private sectors," said Mrs. Obama.

The website allows businesses to search and find résumés of veterans, service members, and spouses all in one location, states the release. Those who upload their résumés to the site just need an active LinkedIn or Google profile account.

Joining Forces is a White House initiative intended to ensure that "no veteran has to fight for a job at home" after they return from service, according to the White House website.

Hiring Event Focuses on Spouses

The focus is military spouses of Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Vets and Gold Star Spouses for a hiring event on Whidbey Island.  Service members are also welcome.

Register info here or call 202-463-5807.

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Him & Her Appreciation Party

A salute to our military men and women in uniform, plus spouses with an amazing day of free activities and give-aways to include free spa services, tours of hundreds of classic cars, hair cuts, treats, prizes in the Price is Correct, raffles and so much more.

Register Here!

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Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Honors Top Military Spouse of the Year

The Lakewood Chamber's Military Affairs Committee honored Stephanie Roethlisberger as the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year on November 19, 8:00 a.m. at Burs Restaurant with an amazing thank-you gift basket, compliments of the local business community.

Lakewood Chamber Military Affairs Co-Chair Ken Swarner, The Ranger/NW Airlifter, presents Stephanie Roethlisberger, an Air Force Wife with a plaque. Photo courtesy Lakewood Chamber of Commerce

“Our military spouses are our unsung heroes,” said Linda Smith, President & CEO of the Chamber.  “As an army brat, I can remember my father's many deployments ~ and the extraordinary way my mother handled everything on the home front.  It is in her spirit of always putting family first that makes this recognition even more personal.”

Stephanie, an Air Force spouse, was selected because of her plethora of volunteer activities both on base and in the local community.  Just a few of her accomplishments include:  Coordinating an Armed Forces Blood Drive; Assisting with a Career Fair at local high school; Assisted in Relay for Life fundraising, Organized Coat Drive with a local homeless shelter, Dedicated member of school district improvement team, Volunteered at FISH Food Bank, Volunteered for Special Olympics; and much, much more.

Wives and husbands of military personnel endure difficult challenges while their spouses are deployed: single-handedly juggling the demands of work and family. Often struggling to make ends meet, they face the additional anxiety of knowing that a loved one is constantly in harms way, with no guarantee they will make it home safely. These are tough burdens to carry, and the Lakewood Chamber has taken time to recognize how much spouses sacrifice in the great mission of protecting the United States and defending our freedom.

The Lakewood Chamber’s Member businesses donated pampering items, gift cards, cash and more along with a specially made plaque to let her know that our community appreciates and supports our military personnel and reservists ~ and their families living in our area.

Military Career Fair

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Vet Hiring Event Next Month

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