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Media Coverage from KNXV abc 15 Arizona – ABC15 | Mornings reporting.

On location at South Mountain Community College.

Veterans, mental health professionals, first-responders and law enforcement officials gathered in Phoenix on Tuesday. They discussed stigmas surrounding PTSD and the obstacles veterans face when applying for a job.

The forum focused on improving the process for hiring those with PTSD. That issue comes into play especially when former service members apply for first-responder jobs.

Wanda Wright is the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services director. She said the transition can be difficult for some because they have a habit of not discussing mental health issues while they’re serving.

“So when you come out, you sort of have that habit: I’m not gonna talk about it, I’ll work through it, I’ll figure it out on my own,” Wright said. “What we really need to be talking about is: let’s address it, help you fix it, help support you through it. We don’t want people to sit with trauma.”

Sharon Taylor has several family members who are veterans. She said she wanted to know more about what’s available for non-combat veterans.

“My husband experienced his PTSD because he was in the Coast Guard and had gone out on more than 800 rescue missions,” Taylor said. “So I was really glad to hear today that there are services available for him and I just learned that for the first time today.”

Some resources include a virtual peer mentorship program and support for families of those veterans who struggle with their mental health.

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The HeroZona National Veteran Summit powered by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes have partnered with the Phoenix Suns to connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers from local and national companies of all sizes. The Phoenix Hiring Expo on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Talking Stick Resort Arena will help hire service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers.

The Phoenix Hiring Expo will begin at 9 a.m. with workshops on professional development, entrepreneurship advice and job search tools to help service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers gain the resources necessary to successfully navigate the civilian hiring process and find a meaningful career. Other highlights will include networking opportunities with HR experts and hiring managers. At noon, the hiring fair will begin with dozens of employers seeking military talent and military spouses.

“Service members, spouses and veterans are a highly skilled group with phenomenal work ethic,” says HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “It’s important to provide resources to those who served our country and help them make a successful transition into civilian life.”

Additionally, those who register and attend the hiring expo are eligible to score up to two free tickets to attend the evenings’ game between the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat at 7 p.m. Tickets will go fast, so availability depends on those who register first. The Phoenix Hiring Expo is free and open to active duty service members, Guard and Reserve, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers. To register for the event, visit herozonasummit.com.

HeroZona National Veteran Summit (Nov. 5 to Nov. 7) is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. To learn more about the HeroZona Foundation’s programs and HeroZona National Veteran Summit, visit herozonasummit.com.

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A Gulf War veteran who once faced career challenges is working to make it easier for other veterans to transition into civilian life.

When Operation Desert Storm veteran Alan Powell left the Army in 1991, he applied to be a police officer, state trooper and firefighter. But he faced hiring freezes and few opportunities designed for veterans.

“I guess the country wasn’t in such a patriotic mood as it is today,” he said.

Powell has added to the patriotic mood by creating the HeroZona Foundation which organizes a free veteran summit. The group’s third annual summit will take place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotel at Dunlap and the Interstate 17 in Phoenix.

Tuesday’s session will focus on mental health and Wednesday’s panel discussions will address student veterans, military spouse employment and leveraging public-private partnerships. The HeroZona National Veteran Summit ends Thursday with a career fair and hiring expo at Talking Stick Resort Arena in downtown Phoenix.

“We actually make sure the employers try to give these veterans these positions beyond entry level positions because we want them to give them credit for their military service,” Powell said.

He said there are online tools to help veterans and employers translate military skills into civilian terms and software that can compile a list of skills based on a military title.

“Some of the skills I learned in the military transferred into me being able to work with people, being able to have a lot of respect for people and making me to catch on and learn things because when you’re in the military you have to adapt and overcome, so as a soldier, sometimes you may go in with one idea and them mission changes.” Powell said. “So being able to use those same skills you used in the military, you can apply those same skills in corporate America.”

Thursday’s free career fair is open to active duty military, Guard and Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. Those who register in advance are eligible for up to two free tickets to the Phoenix Suns game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 7, 2019. Tickets are limited.

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Arizona had 507,706 veterans in 2017, which equaled ten percent of the state’s population.

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The HeroZona National Veteran Summit powered by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes is excited to honor companies and individuals supporting veteran initiatives on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the annual HeroZona National Veteran Summit awards banquet from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The ceremony will occur during the second day of the three-day long engagement. The event will take place at the Sheraton Phoenix Crescent Hotel (260 W. Dunlap Ave.) in Phoenix.

The HeroZona Veteran Summit awards banquet will celebrate individuals and businesses who are making an incredible impact on veteran and military spouse employment in Arizona and represent the foundation’s three pillars: entrepreneurship, employment and education. Receiving the Entrepreneurship Award will be Founder of Swift Transportation, Jerry Moyes; the Employment Award will be given to President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, Johnny C. Taylor Jr.; and the Education Award will be presented to Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges, Dr. Maria Haper-Marinick.

“I love seeing individuals and their companies stepping in to truly make a difference in the veteran community,” says HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “It’s important to recognize and honor those who are working to provide resources to veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education.”

The Maverick Award, honoring the late Senator John S. McCain will also be presented at the awards ceremony and the 2019 recipient will be the President of Human Resources for Domestic U.S. Operation of UPS, Danelle MCusker Rees. During HeroZona National Veteran Summits inaugural event in 2017, McCain accepted the Lifetime Service Award at the ceremony, which was later renamed the Maverick Award in his honor. The Mission Continues Award, given for continuous support to the veteran community, will be given to President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, Jason Rowley, and the Cesar Chavez Award for community service will be presented to President of the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, Ricardo Carlo.

The keynote speaker during the awards banquet will be Arizona resident and former Marine R.J. Mitchell, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. The Navy Cross is the second-highest military decoration for valor that may be awarded to a member of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Coast Guard.

HeroZona National Veteran Summit (Nov. 5 to Nov. 7) is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. To learn more about the HeroZona Foundation’s programs and HeroZona National Veteran Summit, visit herozonasummit.com.

Veterans and Entrepreneurship

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The HeroZona Foundation has announced a Bridge Forum on Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel (260 W. Dunlap Ave.) in Phoenix, which will discuss mental health and first responder veterans. A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration found that only 50% of returning vets who need veteran mental health treatment will receive these services, which is why the Bridge Forum will aim to start a discussion surrounding how to help and hire those with PTSD.

The Bridge Forum will take place on day one of the three-day HeroZona National Veteran Summit, a multi-day experience for America’s veterans including Arizona’s 640,000 veterans, 38,000 active duty service members and 1,000 veteran owned companies. The third annual summit will return to Phoenix Nov. 5 through 7.

The Bridge Forum theme will include mental health professionals, veterans, first responders and law enforcement discussing how to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. The forum will focus on current efforts within the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Arizona Coalition for Military Families, Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, Arizona Fire District Association, and community resources to ensure first responders who have served in the military have resources to mental healthcare throughout their career after military service.

“Bridge Forums are an essential tool in bridging the gap between veterans, mental health professionals, first responders and law enforcement,” said HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “Our goal is to empower veterans who have PTSD and let them know that there are resources available to help them succeed in life after service.”

Presenters from Veterans Affairs will highlight current clinical and research activities and demonstrate strategies first responders can utilize to enhance their work, gain support from family members and optimize their health. Community organizations will also provide resources available in Phoenix for first responders and their families. The final presentation will be from first responders and fire and police department clinicians who will discuss support and services within their departments.

Bridge Forum presenters and panelist will include Veterans Affairs, Be Connected, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, Arizona Health Cost Containment System, Department of Economic Security, Veteran’s Court, AZ Coalition for Military Families, Mercy Care, Arizona Statewide Public Safety Peer Support Association, 100 Club, COPS, Emergency Responders Assistance Program and Institute of Healing Memories. Sponsors will include Arizona State University and the Department of Veterans’ Services.

The HeroZona National Veteran Summit, a multi-day experience for America’s veterans including Arizona’s 640,000 veterans, 38,000 active duty service members and 1,000 veteran-owned companies, will return to Phoenix Nov. 5 through 7. The 2019 theme is advancing economic opportunity for the military community and includes executive roundtables, an awards dinner, employment summit, career fair, Bridge Forum and workshops.  

“Last year, we had more than 1,500 U.S. veterans attend our summit and expect more growth this year with assistance from our new sponsors and events,” said HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “Our goal is to empower active military, their spouses and veterans through meaningful employment, successful entrepreneurship and education.” 

The week-long engagement is spearheaded by the HeroZona Foundation and new partner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes. 2019 sponsors also include Arizona Public Service (APS), Phoenix Suns, USAA, Cisco, Maricopa Community Colleges, Goldwater Institute, Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.  

Day one of the HeroZona National Veteran Summit will kick off on Nov. 5 at Sheraton Crescent Hotel (260 W. Dunlap Ave.) in Phoenix, with a Bridge Forum on mental health and veterans. The theme will include mental health professionals, veterans, first responders and law enforcement talking about how to help and hire those with PTSD and how to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. The Bridge Forum will be a partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Services, Arizona Coalition for Military Families, Be Connected, Arizona Police Association, Veterans Administrations and the HeroZona Foundation. Sponsors will include Arizona State University and the Department of Veterans’ Services.

The second day on Nov. 6 will also take place at Sheraton Crescent Hotel. The experience will include executive roundtable discussions, fireside chats and panels about topics of how military talent adds value to the workforce, what it means to be a military friendly business, entrepreneurship for servicemen, unemployment and lack of employment opportunities for military spouses, caregivers among other topics. The day will conclude with the HeroZona Awards Dinner to celebrate individuals and businesses making an incredible impact on veteran and military spouse employment in Arizona and represents the foundation’s three pillars: education, employment and entrepreneurship. 

Day three of the summit will take place on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Talking Stick Resort Arena (201 E. Jefferson St.) in Phoenix hosted by the Phoenix Suns and include a HeroZona Military Hiring Event powered by U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes, workshop sessions and conclude with the Military Appreciation Night with the Phoenix Suns. The events will help military servicemen and veterans with interview skills, resume development, business plan development, mentorship and pathways to meaningful employment. HR experts, hiring managers and employers seeking military talent will be at the event. 

HeroZona National Veteran Summit is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. 

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