Program helps homeless vets find jobs

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (WOOD) - A West Michigan group is trying to get some veterans back on their feet, considering they put their lives on the line for the United States.

The program is funded by No Worker Left Behind, and is a partnership between Michigan Works!, Michigan State University and the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

The program educates homeless veterans so they might be able to get hired.

"It's made me nervous," said Robert Lee, a program participant. "I'm totally out of my comfort level."

Lee, of Flint, was in the Army for three years, then became a specialized contractor. But when jobs became scarce, he became homeless and was unable to care for his daughter.

"I had custody of her (but) it got to the point where I couldn't afford to feed her, clothe her, house her correctly -- so the only choice I had was to send her back to her mother, where she didn't want to go," he told 24 Hour News 8 on Tuesday.

Lee hopes MSU's Vets to Ag program sparks change.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here," Lee said. "I'm hoping I can make something of myself so I can support me and (my daughter)."

Nineteen participants are involved in the program, and they live on MSU's Kellogg Biological station in a set of apartments. But there's a lot to learn.

"It's six weeks this time, so it's a very short period of time to shove a lot of information into," said Stacey Rocklin, a program facilitator.

Monday through Friday, participants have lessons in the classroom or the field. The evenings are for job searching and resume building and Saturdays are test days. On Sundays, the participants have church, and they study.

And yes, there is homework.

Another participant is Larry Owens, a Desert Storm vet who was in the Army for 14 years. He has seen a lot, but said this program has provided a new type of experience.

"Actually, the whole program is interesting to me, because there's a lot of things about the agricultural field I didn't realize till I was a part of the program," Owens said.

He, among others, is applying for jobs and crossing his fingers.

"This program has opened up those doors for me to apply for those jobs," Owens said. "My dream would be to be in a farm setting. I would take anything. That's all there is to it. If there is steady work, I would take it."

One of the program's goals is to have everyone pass the pesticides applicators exam, which would certify each participant in the state of Michigan.

This is the second group to go through the program; the first was in the fall.

One of 12 participants has found a job so far and organizers said they're working on matching each person's skill set with employers.