Veterans being brought into VISTA programs

When Rex King moved to Martinez six months ago, the retired Navy firefighter was looking for a new opportunity.

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Charmain Z. Brackett/Correspondent

Rex King, a Navy retiree and Martinez resident, is part of an expanded Volunteers in Service to America program. He will spend a year with the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project, during which he will help service members in transition.

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Charmain Z. Brackett/Correspondent

Rex King, a Navy retiree and Martinez resident, is part of an expanded Volunteers in Service to America program. He will spend a year with the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project, during which he will help service members in transition.

"I'm excited I did this. I'm a volunteer right now. I feel the world is my oyster. This has opened up doors for me," said Mr. King, who is part of an expanded initiative to include military veterans in the Volunteers in Service to America program.

He started his one-year volunteer position with the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project on Nov. 23.

"This is something President Obama instituted to do more for veterans and their families," said Joan Stoddard, the VISTA project supervisor for the United Way of the CSRA, which is implementing the program.

Two veterans are signed to one-year contracts; a third will be brought on in the spring.

The United Way works with area nonprofits to place VISTA participants. About 35 VISTA volunteers are in the area, Ms. Stoddard said.

Daniel Dominowski is the second veteran. He is helping homeless veterans with Mercy Ministries.

Mr. King will be working on a mentoring project that has been in development for about a year, according to Laurie Ott, the executive director of the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project.

"Service members in transition have a lot of vocational needs," Ms. Ott said. "They had planned a career in the military. (After an injury) it's a case of 'What can I do now?' "

Who better to help a service member in transition, she said, than a service member who has gone through the process?

Mr. King said that in only a few weeks on the job he has learned a lot.

"The skill sets I have had to learn. Every day, I pick up something from her (Ms. Ott)," he said. "I watch her professionalism and dedication. It is just going to make me sharper. The communication and writing skills are helping me a lot."

Ms. Ott said the organization will look for mentors to help with the effort. For more information, call (706) 434-1707 or e-mail rex.king87@gmail.com.

Although they are volunteers, VISTA participants receive a biweekly stipend of $400. Other benefits include health care, child care and student loan forbearance during the service.

There are also college-tuition incentives.