Amount Requested: $2,000,000

The United States Department of Defense reports that one out of eleven soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan reside from Texas, with one-quarter of the state’s population coming from Houston/Galveston area. To meet the increasing demand for services, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced the opening of four new outpatient clinics in the Houston/Galveston area. Recognition of the need for additional services to assist in the readjustment of veterans to the civilian workforce has been affirmed in the passage of the Post- 9/11 GI Bill. HoustonWorks USA, in conjunction with its partners, is positioned to assist veterans with their employment and training needs.  To meet the future demand of veterans retiring from the military, HoustonWorks USA proposes expanding and enhancing services to veterans by providing career counseling, individual job development, job preparation, case management, labor market information and job referrals. HoustonWorks USA services participating residents and businesses in the City of Houston and Harris County.