Every single one of those victories combine to tell a much larger story about our organization, and the difference we are making in the lives of men and women who have served in the armed forces. - Christopher Plamp, interim CEO of Hire Heroes USA
ATLANTA (PRWEB) May 23, 2018
Hire Heroes USA – the preeminent nonprofit organization providing employment services to transitioning military members, veterans and military spouses across the United States and around the world, and the leading veteran service organization specifically targeting the issues of underemployment and unemployment among veterans – today announced its 25,000th hire, a significant milestone that represents more than $1.25 billion in first-year earnings pumped into the U.S. economy.
“While the big picture numbers are the ones that will get the headlines, the real impact of what Hire Heroes USA has accomplished is measured by the effect this has had on the lives and well-being of each of those individuals,” said Christopher Plamp, interim CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “Quite simply, we provided personalized, one-on-one services to someone who asked for help, whether they were unemployed, underemployed or transitioning to the civilian workforce from the military. Now, multiply that by 25,000. Every single one of those victories combine to tell a much larger story about our organization, and the difference we are making in the lives of men and women who have served in the armed forces.”
What does 25,000 hires look like? Not surprisingly, it looks a lot like the military. Nearly half of them came from the Army, approximately 14 percent served in the Navy, 13 percent were in the Air Force, more than 12 percent hailed from the Marine Corps, and about one percent served in the Coast Guard. About 80 percent of the hires were previously enlisted, while 15 percent served as officers.
Digging deeper into the data, half of those 25,000 hires were active duty military who were transitioning to the civilian workforce. Also of note, 13 percent of the total hires were women veterans and five percent were military spouses – two groups that face unique barriers to employment and are the focus of new Hire Heroes USA initiatives.
Brian Stann, who currently serves on Hire Heroes USA’s board of directors, led the nonprofit as president and CEO from 2009 to 2017 - a period of increased growth for the organization. He said expansion was as essential for Hire Heroes USA as it was for the veterans and military spouses it served. “This growth period occurred while some segments of military veterans had an unemployment rate over 20 percent,” he stressed, noting that the nonprofit identified the need and positioned itself to meet that demand. “Hire Heroes USA rapidly achieved national scale and helped thousands of veterans and spouses toward their next career.” He added, “Today, military veterans are increasingly sought after by major employers across the country.”
Even in 2018, the full suite of free career services provided by Hire Heroes USA continues to grow and evolve with the addition of increased virtual service options, like online workshops, training modules and career fairs, in addition to core services that include resume, networking and interview assistance, as well as federal sector help. The veteran service organization also aligns itself with hundreds of employment partners, ranging from Fortune 100 companies, like Amazon, Citi, CACI and Sharp USA, to small businesses that specifically seek veteran talent.
All of this, including the 25,000 hires, can be traced back to a chance encounter in 2005, when Hire Heroes USA founder, former MedAssets CEO and former Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services John Bardis met an Army sergeant who - severely injured in an explosion in Afghanistan – shared his uncertainty about his future and employability. Two years later, Hire Heroes USA was officially launched and the nonprofit confirmed its first three hires.
“Above all, we are grateful to the men and women who have served to defend this country,” said Bardis, in response to today’s announcement. “We are also grateful to employers nationwide for recognizing the incredible value that these veterans bring to the civilian workforce and for providing them the employment opportunities they so richly deserve.” In addition to adding a personal note of thanks to Hire Heroes USA’s Board of Directors, Bardis singled out for praise two current and one former member of the nonprofit’s leadership – all of them veterans. “Christopher Plamp, Nathan Smith and Brian Stann provided the necessary leadership, vision and structure to position Hire Heroes USA for the success it is achieving.” He added, “Hire Heroes USA’s mission today is as healthy and strong as it has ever been.”
Hire Heroes USA’s free services are made possible through the support of key partners that include: the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), the Walmart Foundation, Men’s Wearhouse and Kenneth Cole, the Schultz Family Foundation, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Altria, Boeing, the Shipley Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., WWE, and the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.
About Hire Heroes USA:
Headquartered in the Atlanta metro area, with additional branch offices around the country, Hire Heroes USA provides consistently effective, customized career coaching services that are funded exclusively by private grants and public donations. It has earned Charity Navigator’s highest possible 4-star rating for a third consecutive year and also has a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information about the nonprofit’s mission, services and how to get involved as a corporate partner, employment partner, donor or volunteer, please visit hireheroesusa.org and follow Hire Heroes USA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. You can also read success stories from clients we have assisted.