VetSuccess AmeriCorps VetSuccess AmeriCorps

 VetSuccess AmeriCorps Members will provide:  Increased support for Veterans, Active Duty Military and their Dependents. Support includes:  Academic pursuits.  Ease adjustment to the campus environment.  Assist Veterans to successfully transition to civilian life and employment.

VetSuccess AmeriCorps Coordinator/ DREAM Project Military Liaison Roy Fallon Gunnery Sergeant USMC (Retired) VetSuccess Americorps Coordinator Assistant Kristle Helmuth U.S. Army Veteran and College Student

 Kent Campus: ◦ Located near Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Downtown in the Westside area.  South Campus: ◦ Located near Naval Station Mayport in the Southside area. ◦ Considered primary campuses: used by Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Military Dependent spouses and children. ◦ More than 1000 students with Veterans Benefits are attending classes at these campuses. *Clients consist of: Veterans who have expired or exhausted their benefits and dependents who have none.

VetSuccess AmeriCorps Members provide assistance on the Campus to people receiving Veterans Benefits VetSuccess AmeriCorps Member Stanford Taylor working with a Veteran at FSCJ South Campus  E-Benefits ◦ Veterans Benefits  GI Bill  Chapter 30 GI Bill  Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation  Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill  Chapter 35 Survivor and Dependents  Registration ◦ Assist with class registration to comply with VA guidelines and FSCJ Program of Study

 Downtown campus is located in Downtown Jacksonville  Liaison for Students with VetSuccess and on Campus Advisors (Veterans Affairs Counselors)  Liaison for Students with FSCJ Student Success Advisors assigned to assist Military and Veterans  Refer students to FSCJ MVSC transitional education programs and seminars

John Hollingsworth finding solutions for a Veteran at South Campus  Disabled American Veterans  5 Star Veteran Center  Red Cross  United Way  Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society  Reserve Military Opportunities

 A new initiative being undertaken by VetSuccess AmeriCorps! Textbook drive for Veterans to check out. Upon completion of courses students will be encouraged to donate textbooks for Veterans experiencing financial hardships.

VetSuccess AmeriCorps Members hosted “Celebrating African Americans in the Military” at Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership. (Marines, Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and Local Sailors with VetSuccess Members) VetSuccess AmeriCorps organized local Sailors to assist a FSCJ Veteran Student who recently had surgery for a Service-Connected Disability with moving her personal belongings

Blessings In A Backpack at Mayport Elementary Coastal Sciences Academy serving military dependent children with Sailors, Veterans, and community partners. D.R.E.A.M. Mentoring Program engages Military Active Duty and Veterans as Mentors for Dependent Children at Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville Area Schools

“Literacy in Careers” Military and Veterans discuss the relevance of Literacy and continuing education in Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School “Reading Days With America’s Military” Military and Veterans reading with students at Mayport Elementary Academy of Coastal Sciences at and Venetia Elementary School

Stilwell Military Academy of Military Leadership Veterans Day Event VIPs and Stilwell Students

5 Star Veterans Center is a transitional living home for disabled Veteran with PTSD transitioning into civilian life. VetSuccess has helped Veterans celebrate the holidays away from home, prepare rooms for Veterans to live in and landscape the grounds. Connections Club formed at Fletcher High School. Military Dependent Students trained as Ambassadors greet new students, provide tours and eat lunch with students on their 1 st day at school. Meetings held 2 times per month.

 Goal: 300 Veterans assisted in pursuing educational opportunities ◦ Currently over 200 Veterans, Active Duty Military and Dependents have signed in and been served  Goal 70% of veterans who receive social and educational assistance from AmeriCorps members will report being more knowledgeable of the resources available to them ◦ 98% reported being more knowledgeable  Goal: 40 Veterans assisted in pursuing educational opportunities ◦ 45 reported have reported were assisted  Goal: 1 Veteran serving as National Service Participant or volunteer ◦ 3 VetSuccess AmeriCorps Members are Veterans ◦ Over 50 Military and Veterans have volunteered to participate in service projects, mentoring and events. Some have participated in more than one event. (Data collected from Sign-In Logs and voluntary Exit Surveys)

More than 400 military students and their families turned out for Naval Station Mayport’s annual Back to School Splash on Aug. 13. The students stuffed bags full of books and pencils, paper and other school supplies before enjoying an evening of free swim at the outdoor pool, along with free food.