b'VA and Hiring our Heroesof the business community, more than 1,025 job fairs held across the country and on military installations overseas, Partner on Military Spouseand a suite of free online career tools, weve worked with our partners to help hundreds of thousands of veteransHiring Initiative and military spouses find jobs.To date, more than 31,000 veterans and military spouses www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5293 have obtained employment opportunities through Hiring Our The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Heroes events. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations Hiring Our HeroesMore than 2,000 companies of all sizes have committed initiative recently joined efforts to lead and support militaryto hire 710,000 veterans and military spouses as part of the spouse employment at VA and throughout the federalHiring 500,000 Heroes campaign. Of those commitments, government, and reduce the high unemployment rate forthere have been more than 505,000 confirmed hires.military spouses. Our digital resources include distinct resume builders Effective July 29, 2019, this initiative is part of bothfor veterans and transitioning service members as well as Secretary Wilkies priority of improving the customermilitary spouses; a jobs portal that allows veterans and and employee experience, as well as the Department ofservice members to search for employment opportunities Defenses (DOD) priority of retaining service members andin Americas fastest growing job markets and industries; a supporting military families. As one of only 10 federal 24/7 virtual career fair platform; an interactive employer agencies and the only VA entity that is a member of DODsbest practices site; and a virtual mentorship program that Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP), the Boardconnects veteran and spouse protgs with experienced of Veterans Appeals (Board)with the support of thementors. These online tools have also been integrated into Veterans Experience Office (VEO) and Office of Humanthe employment workshops that take place at hundreds of Resources and Administration (HR&A)will lead the effortour fairs. focusing on the experience, skills and values that militaryOur goal is to ensure veterans, transitioning servicespouses bring to their jobs such as resiliency, agility, globalmembers, and military spouses are able to utilize our citizenship and unique understanding of the challenges of theresources to connect with employers no matter whereVeterans and their families. they are in the world.This type of intergovernmental collaboration to promote www.uschamberfoundation.org/about-us-chamber-commerce-foundationthe hiring and retention of military spouses, is important notContract# 5540only for current servicemen and women and their families,2020 Military Appreciation Resource Bookbut also for Veterans and their families, said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. Military spouses bring a unique perspective to the federal workplace, and I am proud that VA is leading the charge in this area.The effort will encourage both the use of the military spouse hiring authorityas well as federal government885 Brooktree Lane, Vista, CA 92081participation in MSEPand leverage best practices to improve the employee experience and achieve a successful, collective impact, for this population. As VAs representative, the Boards best practices will serve as an example for other government agencies who wish to hire, retain and promote military spouses.Hiring Our Heroes Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioningservice members, and military spouses find meaningfulFully Equipped Electric Kitchens with Lots of Cabinets,employment opportunities. Working with the U.S. ChamberWalk-In ClosetsAir ConditioningLaundry Facilityof Commerces vast network of state and local chambers Outdoor PoolHydro-Massage SpaTennis Courtand strategic partners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, our goal is to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and militaryfamilies return every day.Early on, our team adopted two strategies: 760-727-5420Fax 760-727-8125(1) grassroots engagement and (2) public-private www.shadowridgevillageapartments.compartnerships. Through our commitment-based engagement Thank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 21'