IDVA Special Edition Newsletter                                   Sept. 16, 2014

From the Acting Director  

Rodrigo Garcia 


It's official!!! Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the IJF Foundation Act into law in late August.  The Act allows Illinois Joining Forces to build upon the amazing work our partner organizations have been doing for the past two years by providing IJF with additional flexibility and tools to support you and the military and veteran community. As a result, the IDVA is a proud supporter of the Illinois Joining Forces Foundation

 

On September 3rd, in accordance with the IJF Foundation Act, the newly formed Board of Directors selected its leadership and adopted the Articles of Incorporation.  Upon filing with the Secretary of State of Illinois, IJF will become the public not-for-profit organization that can continue to serve our veterans, service members, and their families with greater momentum. 

 

In the weeks ahead, IJF will establish its organizational by-laws, compile annual reports for FY 2013 and FY 2014 [to showcase our amazing work], and draft operating policies. In the months ahead, we plan to hire an Executive Director, add value-based programming for our members, perform web upgrades, institute operational processes, and construct a long-term strategic plan. We will be sure to share additional information and details in coming newsletters, but this all means that IJF will have more robust capabilities in the future to provide support to our veterans, military and their families - all across Illinois.

 

Board Officers:

IJFF Chair
Rodrigo Garcia
Acting Director, IDVA and Chair, IJF 
IJFF Vice Chair
Amy Sherman
Chair, IJF Education Working Group 
IJFF Secretary
Bridget Altenburg
Chair, IJF Employment & Job Training  Working Group
IJFF Treasurer
Tom Miller
Chair, IJF Behavioral Health Working Group


The IDVA and DMA staffs will continue to provide support to IJF and our network of partners as the Foundation's operations are solidified, to ensure that this organization launches successfully at every step. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team, we look forward to building and sustaining the world-class organization you have come to trust and the value you have come to expect. 


Getting Veterans to Work


 
Hiring Our Heroes 

Chicago- Sept. 18 !


 


 

 



 


 


 


 
Looking for work, or know a veteran, military or family member looking for a great job? Now's your chance!  

 

With veteran employment as one of our top priorities for veterans, the IDVA team is working with the US Chamber of Commerce, Aon and the Illinois Department of Employment Security as  a host to the Sept. 18 Hiring Our Heroes Hiring Fair - Chicago hiring event. This no-cost event - which utilizes a proven, innovative model featuring candidate pre-screening, applicant-employer matching, and onsite interviews - will put veteran job-seekers in interaction with over 93 registered employers, with over 300 job openings right now. 

 

And starting at 8:30 a.m., veterans can attend an Employment Workshop that provides one-on-one mentoring and resume-writing tools for job-seekers. And then at 10:00am, come and attend one of the premier hiring fairs in the region and engage an employer with verified job openings! Don't forget to take time to register with our VSO team and Stand Up and Be Counted or come by and meet IDVA's acting Director Garcia whom will be on-hand to meet with attendees.  The first 300 event attendees will be provided with complimentary parking [Grant Park North & South; Millennium Lakeside & Park Garages]  to maximize your opportunities to become employed!

Register today and tell a friend!


Four Great AmeriCorps

Opportunities 
with the IDVA 

 

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) is pleased to announce that four openings for AmeriCorps positions associated with the Points of Light Veteran Leader Corps.  We are actively seeking qualified applicants (civilian or veteran) to apply for these high-level, full-time service opportunity in our downtown Chicago and Springfield offices.

 

The Veteran Leader Corps is a unique AmeriCorps program dedicated to supporting organizations that are developing meaningful service opportunities and cultivating job readiness for veterans and military families.  IDVA's Veteran Leader Corps members will actively engage this mission, providing critical assistance to veterans confronted with challenges related to joblessness, housing, reintegration, and other issues.

 

Note that these are not state jobs; it's a service opportunity dedicated  to supporting and generating positive outcomes for the veteran community.  The position starts on October 6, 2014 and concludes on Sept. 4, 2015, with the possibility to renew for 11 additional months.

 

POSITION TITLES AND LOCATIONS:

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:

  • A living allowance of $12,100 for 11-month service period
  • Health and dental insurance;
  • Possibility of AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service, $5,550 prorated for length of term;
  • Child care subsidy,if eligible;
  • Participation in Points of Light Corps Member Training Institute; and
  • The opportunity to work with senior Department managers, to lead people and high-impact projects, and to build professional skills in a number of specialized areas.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:  5:00 p.m. CDT on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014.

 

HOW TO APPLY:  Individuals looking to apply must submit their application through the My AmeriCorps Portal webpage

 

FOR TECHNICAL HELP APPLYING ONLINE:  Contact the National Service Hotline directly at 1-800-942-2677.  

For more information on IDVA programs and services related to the position, visit IDVA's website, or contact Elisabeth Pennix at 312-814-7258.  

Your IDVA Calendar  

 

Sept. 17
Constitution Day

Sept. 17  Doing Business with the State:
     CMS Vet Business Program
East St. Louis, IL
Sept. 18  
Hiring Our Heroes Hiring Fair & Workshop

Veteran Fall-In Event
Chicago, IL

Wheaton, IL
Sept. 26 
Chicago & Springfield, IL

Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL
Sept. 28 
Gold Star Mother's Day  
Sept. 30Hiring Our Heroes Hiring Fair & WorkshopAurora, IL

Elgin, IL

Oct. 13

Columbus Day

State Offices Closed
Oct. 15

West Side Technical Institute 

Chicago, IL

Oct. 16

Boots to Business: A Business Plan Writing Clinic

SBA, Chicago, IL

Nov. 4  

Election Day - Vote!
Nov. 10
Veterans' & Individuals with Disabilities
Job Fair
 
Northwestern University, IL

Honoring Women VeteransSkokie, IL
Nov. 11  Veterans' Day State Offices Closed
 Events Subject to Change


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