Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Parking spaces were filling up at 9:30 around the Courthouse Circle in Monticello on Friday morning, Aug. 25. Inside the corner coffee shop, tables and coffee cups also were filling up as local military veterans gathered for a free cup o' joe and fellowship.
The event, organized by CareerSource North Florida, sponsored by American Legion Post 49 and hosted by CowHaus Coffee Company, brought veterans together with employment specialists in a laid-back setting where information about resources could comfortably flow.
“The coffee is good!” said one participant, and others around her table concurred.
The other end of the table displayed brochures and gifts from CareerSource North Florida (CSNF). CSNF Veterans Outreach Specialist Charlie Fulmer shook vets' hands, thanking them for their service and letting them know about ways that his organization can in turn serve them.
“The Coffee with a Vet has actually been around for a very long time,” said Fulmer. “The American Legion and the USO came up with it, and it was a way to reach out to veterans in the communities to find out what their needs were, what services they needed to get involved with. I help with employment opportunities and training for vets only. The Coffee with a Vet is a relaxed environment and I bring in other resources, like county veterans service officer, the local American Legion, so that they can stay connected in the community... It's an old idea brought back. We're trying to do this with all of our [North Florida] counties.”
Fulmer said that CSNF held their first Coffee with a Vet event a few months ago in Madison, another one after that in Live Oak and now this one in Monticello. Next they are going to Taylor County and are also planning one in Jasper (Hamilton County) as well, to cover all the counties in their service area.
“We want to do Coffee with a Vet at least once a quarter in each county,” explained Fulmer.
CSNF honors veterans of the United States Armed Forces with priority of service.
“Staff take seriously the responsibility to aid you in your transition from the military to civilian employment,” the brochure for veterans states. “CareerSource North Florida will help provide resources that will allow you to overcome obstacles standing in your way of success.”
They are ready to work with veterans – whether recently separated, disabled or re-entering the workforce – to find solutions to their civilian employment needs. Services can be provided one on one or in a group setting and can include job search and placement assistance; career planning and counseling; assessment and testing; interviewing skills training; referrals to educational and vocational programs; job fairs; labor market information; and referrals to supportive services.
For more information, visit www.careersourcenorthflorida.com or call (850) 973-WORK.
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