An organization in Dallas hosted a job fair Wednesday to connect veterans with open jobs. U&I works with veterans as well as disabled children and adults.
"Our goal is to help them reach their goal, whatever that is," says Chief Executive Hugh Breland. "They want to go to school? Great. They want to get a job? Great. We provide work experience."
The organization launched in 1951 to help with education of kids with special needs and help them socialize. U&I has expanded to include workforce development, and Breland says they provided vocational training, paid jobs and community placement for more than 1,000 people last year.
"We'll take you step-by-step all the way through the process," he says. "Once you get a job, we will follow you, literally, for the rest of your life."
At the job fair Wednesday, U&I was providing a way for veterans to connect with businesses trying to fill open jobs but also haircuts, suits, resume-building classes and mock interviews.
"I think this is a tremendous opportunity for veterans," says Trent Williams, who works with homeless veterans at MHMR of Tarrant County. "Those who are lacking in skills, there are new opportunities to develop something different and maybe land a career."
U&I has classes to develop skills like computer programming and coding.
"Since the world is becoming more technical, they're able to pick up on some technical skills to help enhance their job opportunities," Williams says.
As more service members came back from Iraq and Afghanistan, the unemployment rate among veterans surged beyond the rate for civilians, peaking at 15% in 2010 and 2011 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The unemployment rate among veterans in September of this year was 3.5%, lower than the overall unemployment rate of 3.8%.
Veterans at the job fair Wednesday said companies have started to see the advantages of hiring someone who has worked under the stress of combat.
"We worked under pressure, being reliable, stuff like that," one said.
"It's a big relief, so to speak, because before it was really difficult for veterans. It really was," another said.
U&I's Breland says many service members struggle to adjust back to civilian life. In 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs says 6,146 veterans committed suicide.
"These are real people. They need help. It's not a hand out, it's a hand up," he says. "Once they get it, here's what I like to say. Most of them are undervalued, underestimated, but underdogs are hungry dogs."
Breland says the turnover rate among people who work with U&I is lower than the national average.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube