After serving for 26 years in the U.S. Air Force as a religious affairs and program manager, Esmeralda Aharon had mentored dozens of senior-level airmen. When it came to her transition to a civilian career, however, she wasn’t sure where to start.

Each year the military discharges 270,000 service members. Eighty percent won’t have a job lined up. Data show women veterans, military spouses, and junior enlisted veterans earn lower salaries and have higher rates of underemployment compared to other transitioning service members and veterans. For military spouses, the unemployment rate is four-times greater than the national average.

Esmeralda needed help narrowing her focus and translating her skills to fit private sector job descriptions. “No one can do this alone,” Esmeralda shared. “It takes a village and Hire Heroes has the village we need to be successful.” Her Hire Heroes USA Transition Specialist provided her with the personalized attention and guidance that she needed to succeed. The specialist also connected Esmeralda to a volunteer mentor who helped her bolster her interviewing skills, hone her networking abilities and improve her professional presence on LinkedIn.

An investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation has allowed Hire Heroes USA to expand their capacity to support more veterans and military spouses and to grow their mentoring services program from 800 to 1,400 volunteers. Additionally, clients who’ve been hired are coming back to volunteer as mentors, paying it forward for another veteran or military spouse. This has made a huge impact on their clients. Data show that if a client works with a mentor, they are one-and-a-half times more likely to get hired.

In 2020, Hire Heroes USA had the most successful year in its history, assisting a record 11,500 veterans and military spouses in securing jobs. The organization is well-positioned to continue to grow and serve even more veterans like Esmeralda. She’s now serving as the Program Director for Staff and Community Engagement at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, a civilian job that has the perfect mix of what she was looking for in her next career.

Media Contact: Sarah Elbert, Communications Manager Sarah.Elbert@clarkfoundationdc.org

Cassidy La Bouff is the daughter of U.S. Army Major Douglas A. La Bouff. “My dad had the biggest heart. He was caring, compassionate, and genuine,” she explained. Maj. La Bouff lost his life in 2006 while serving overseas. “My dad’s service means everything to me. He was the type of man where if he didn’t believe in what we were doing overseas, he would not have volunteered to go.”

With the help of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (Fallen Patriots), Cassidy is studying Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in Legal Studies at Colorado State University. “I believe my dad would be proud of the woman I am becoming. He always emphasized the importance of education, so I know he would be proud I’m pursuing a degree.”

Cassidy believes in honoring her fallen father through living life the best she can. She encourages others Fallen Patriots scholars to reach out to one another. She says there is something healing about connecting with others who have gone through the same struggles.

“Children of Fallen Patriots has been there for my family in times of struggle and celebration. There are no words to describe how thankful I am for the support Fallen Patriots has given me while I chase my dreams. With the help of Fallen Patriots, I can fully focus on my education without any financial stress. I am forever grateful for the people I have been able to meet and connect with through Fallen Patriots. Fallen Patriots has given me a community, a family. I couldn’t be prouder to be a gold star child and a
member of this foundation.”

There are approximately 20,000 children who have lost an active duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. The mission of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding.