American Corporate Partners (ACP) - Bob Woodruff Foundation

American Corporate Partners (ACP)

Veteran Mentoring Program

Service Area: National

The following program was awarded grants as part of the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s second 2020 Expedited Grants Portfolio, addressing urgent needs related to COVID-19.

Approximately 200,000-250,000 service members transition from the military each year, and nearly all of these individuals will be in search of a job. BWF cited in our recent research paper that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States had experienced the lowest veteran unemployment rate in 19 years, at 3.1%. However, public health strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in widespread layoffs and furloughs, leaving transitioning and newly unemployed veterans facing a much more challenging job market. Between mid-March and early June of 2020, 42.6 million jobless workers applied for state unemployment aid in the United States. With increased demand for jobs and a decreased supply, transitioning veterans will be especially challenged to secure jobs that match their experience and skills. ACP’s Veteran Mentoring Program provides customized, year-long career mentorships for post-9/11 veterans as they transition from the military into civilian life. This grant will fund 25 year-long mentorships partnering post-9/11 veterans and military spouses with corporate professionals to provide peer support, improve job-seeking skills, and veterans to better translate their military experience into civilian terms. This one-on-one guidance will give veterans and military spouses the skills, confidence, and support to navigate their transition to civilian life and employment through this challenging time.