Germanna student veterans group wants to help with paths to employment

Oct. 25--When Germanna Community College student Joshua May passes homeless veterans on the side of the road, he can't help but wonder if they could have been successful if they'd only known what resources were available to them.

May, a Navy veteran who recently returned to the area and is studying to become an English teacher, wants to make sure other veterans don't fall through the cracks. So he and a group of like-minded students created the Germanna Student Veterans Organization, a club that helps student veterans get involved in the community and find new careers through meaningful connections.

"Ultimately we want student veterans to be more successful," he said. "That means advocating for student veterans and helping them find available resources."

He said the group emphasizes outreach programs between the school and community as a way to help student vets find a purpose outside of their mission-driven military service.

Germanna Community College has roughly 500 student veterans, according to student veterans support counselor Bob Dixon. That accounts for about 10 percent of Germanna's enrollment.

The school's veterans lounge gives them a place to connect socially and Dixon advises on academic issues and benefits. But he said the club could help address the social isolation many veterans feel upon leave the service, as well as advocate for a new generation of veterans who don't frequent VFW halls.

"It's the next turn in the wheel," he said.

For May and the other members of the organization, getting involved in the community by helping other groups is the best way to continue serving. The first effort is to raise money for an adaptive water sports nonprofit program at Lake of the Woods.

The club's first event, the Lake of the Woods Adaptive Watersports Golf Tournament, will be held Friday at Lee's Hill Golf Club. Registration for the event, which costs $70, begins at 8 a.m. and play begins at 9 a.m.

More about the club and event can be found at facebook.com/GCCGSVA.

Mission BBQ, ScoutComms and Sugar Shack Donuts are among the local businesses that are partners for the event. They are providing food, signs and raffle prizes. Proceeds with go to the Student Veterans Organization and the nonprofit K-9s for Warriors.

The group and Germanna are also seeking businesses partners to offer mentoring to student veterans that could help them find a new career path.

"The challenge is unique," Dixon said. "Suddenly when they had a full-time job with benefits, housing, support and a mission, they have to re-establish themselves."

May said working with the community to raise funds for nonprofits has helped him realize he's capable to doing new things.

"Looking out for one another is something a lot of guys feel that they lose getting out of the military and is often overlooked in the transition," he said. "But with groups like ours, it does not have to be a lost aspect of life."

Lindley Estes: 540/735-1976

lestes@freelancestar.com

@flslindley

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