VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES
While other agencies provide two staples of survival, food and shelter, we at Soldier On know that employment is a crucial element to changing the end of the story for formerly homeless veterans. While we provide the first two needs, we further assist our residents by helping them obtain important job skills, then finding a place to use them.
Few things restore a sense of pride better than a job — especially a job well done. And nothing urges people to work as best they can than ownership of the job. Soldier On instills a sense of pride by providing veterans a chance to run their own businesses.
The Veterans Skills Development Center is located at the Berkshire Veterans Residence and has been embraced by the region's large number of plastics companies — 26 plastics firms in the area employ a total of 2,500 people and manufacture $200 million of product every year — including Apex Mold, Lansen Mold, Injected Solutions, Pittsfield Plastics, and China Array which provide work to the center to supplement their production capacity in Pittsfield.
The Berkshire Veterans Construction Company works with Berkshire Community College to prepare veterans for the construction supervisor's test. The veterans in the company have done work for groups such as the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club and Berkshire Housing and Development, as well as for private citizens in Berkshire County.
The Culinary Training Program trains interested residents in the culinary business and addresses employment opportunities in this tourist and arts destination area. The Veterans are trained through ProStart, a career building program for those interested in culinary arts and foodservice management and are looking for employment in the culinary field. The program began in high schools and colleges and has been tailored for Soldier On. Trainees receive a “serve safe” certificate, where they learn how to design menus, complete food orders, cook and serve meals. The culinary program has catered special events in the area. As well as provide daily meals for the Berkshire Veterans Residence.
Soldier On's Veteran Vending business helps veterans gain insight to managing a small business. These skills, which include budgeting, product ordering and basic accounting, give veterans hands on experience and knowledge to gain outside employment. The Veteran Vending business currently works with Coca-Cola Co. and J. Polep Distribution Services to purchase wholesale items for vending machines. The veterans then maintain the machines, using the profits for whatever their buildings' committees (composed completely of residents) decide.
To facilitate and foster the entrepreneurial spirit, Solider On assists veterans with:
• Business Planning
• Customer Base Development
• Financing Assistance
• Management Career Opportunity
The veterans' areas of specialization include:
• Building Construction and Maintenance Services
• Retail Business Development
• Light Manufacturing and Assembly Services
• Community Project Assistance
By helping with business planning and other aspects of the work involved, Solider On assists veterans only as needed, allowing them to make decisions and take pride in their successes and learn from their missteps.
You can help us support additional veteran-owned businesses, an important step toward ending veteran homelessness, by making a donation today.
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