WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- As proud as he was to wear his U.S. Navy uniform, veteran Jimmy Fitzgerald always knew that it was the man inside who made the suit, not the suit itself.
In the military, the suit spoke volumes.
In recent years as a civilian, Fitzgerald struggled with homelessness and his attire masked the man inside. Fighting to land gainful employment and in need of the clothes to win the job, he turned to the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program administered by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service. That outreach led him to the Veterans Training School at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in Boston where staff worked with clothing retailer Men's Wearhouse to provide Fitzgerald and other veterans with suits appropriate for meeting prospective employers.
"The new suit gave me the confidence I needed to interview for the job," he said. "It allowed me to not walk into the interview wearing street clothes, but interview attire. My whole mindset was different. When you feel good, you project a different aura."
In addition to helping him obtain a suit, the Veterans' Training School prepared Fitzgerald with career coaching, employment contacts and an internship. The "interview suit" was "the icing on the cake," Fitzgerald said. His efforts paid off as he has accepted a full-time position with a Walgreens store in Quincy, Mass. Since its inception in 2011, approximately 300 suits have been provided to homeless and at-risk veterans. NECHV is a Department of Labor grantee.
To inquire about receiving assistance, as well as an interview suit, contact the Veterans Training School at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in Boston by calling (617) 371-1800.
Massachusetts is rich with resources for veterans, to include employment and training assistance, help with finding sustainable housing, food resources, among many other benefits. Here’s just a sampling of online resources to help connect veterans in need with services—just click on the following hyperlinks to learn more:
• Local Veterans’ Service Offices
• Employment and Training Opportunities
• Funding For Your Education
• Housing Assistance and Resources
• Health and Well-Being Support
Editor’s Note: If you know of a resource or service that might help a veteran out in a time of need, please visit our Facebook http://www.facebook.com/westover.patriot page and share it.
1st Lt. Bowser is the regional deputy director for public affairs for the Office of Public Affairs, Boston, for the U.S. Department of Labor.