National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
Daniel and Salvador Montoya Heroes Foundation
Heroes Foundation hosts upcoming hiring event to connect Veterans, Service members, and spouses to employment opportunities with Service King
Author: Dr. Tracy L. Weistreich
Nurse Executive, VHA National Center for Healthcare Advancement & Partnerships (HAP)
On Wednesday, March 16, the Daniel and Salvador Montoya Heroes Foundation (Heroes Foundation), a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) partner, will host a virtual hiring event. This event connects Veterans, transitioning Service members, and spouses to employment opportunities with Service King Collision Repair Centers (Service King), an industry-leading multi-state operator of high-quality collision repair services.
“Our goal is to highlight Veterans in a way that shows the skills they learned or picked up in the military are vital to companies,” said Ms. Sarah Cruz, a Heroes Foundation representative.
The partnership between Heroes Foundation and the VHA–formalized September 2021–provides opportunities to improve Veterans’ economic stability, access to employment, and Veteran health literacy. The organization helps Veterans, transitioning Service members, and spouses transition seamlessly from military life into careers with companies that are not only Veteran friendly but also considered Veteran ready.
Heroes Foundation considers companies as Veteran ready when the employer understands the military community, is inclusive and supportive, and offers strong Veteran-centric programs. According to Ms. Cruz, the organization wanted a Veteran-ready company at the upcoming hiring event to bridge the gap between job seekers and a potential employer.
“I think this event will help the military community see what their options are, but also help them realize they have a lot to offer,” said Ms. Cruz.
Ms. Cruz first met Mr. Chris Montoya, president and CEO of Heroes Foundation, when her husband was transitioning from the U.S. Army after 13 years of service.
When he started looking for a new career, he felt like there wasn’t a lot to include on his resume. Talking with Mr. Montoya helped him realize how transferable skills from the military are strengths to employers.
“You go from a job where everyone says you’re a hero, to feeling like you have no experience and are essentially starting over,” Ms. Cruz said. “I love that we get to help people find a path to successful employment based on their skills and not based on the list of jobs they've had.”
When the hiring event begins, participants from all over the country enter the virtual experience to meet with company representatives from Service King and learn more about the variety of jobs available. The company is offering multiple opportunities with different levels of skill expertise ranging from entry-level to leadership positions.
“We show companies that the military provides great leadership qualities and teamwork capabilities,” said Ms. Cruz. “The certifications that military members get can easily translate to the civilian side of the world. They are just as good if not more experienced than many other candidates.”
In addition to hiring events, the Heroes Foundation and the VHA aim to educate employers about existing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employment resources for Veterans, including the Transition Assistance Program, the Veteran Readiness and Employment program, and Compensated Work Therapy.
The VHA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP) facilitated this partnership. For more information on HAP’s partnerships, visit va.gov/HEALTHPARTNERSHIPS/updates.asp.
To watch Heroes Foundation’s webinar on Veteran-friendly companies versus Veteran-ready companies, enter passcode “jfG.=&A3” at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/s2g-PqAeeKdXoV3qAUmN1W2ZHfz9383qLnkXaRWkzFsCnhzliygMsaPY35yX2Qsc.9AZ6-4ZbH3Wonu7G.
For additional information about the upcoming hiring event and to register, visit https://app.brazenconnect.com/a/heroes_foundation/e/oP2Q2.
External Link Disclaimer: This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Posted March 7, 2022 | Updated May 2, 2022
