Helping Veterans Back Into the Workforce

Paul has always enjoyed working with his hands to fix a problem. For sixteen years he did just that as a mechanic in two U.S. Military branches, including a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Back in civilian life, the company Paul worked for was sold in 2019, and he lost his job. Unable to find immediate work, Paul and his girlfriend, Amanda, were on the verge of homelessness. That’s when the two moved into an apartment at Buckingham Place, one of Harbor Care’s three transitional housing complexes for veterans experiencing, or at-risk of homelessness.

Paul worked with Harbor Care’s employment and job training team, Andrea and Rick. Rick helped Paul to fix up his resume, and Andrea reached out to a contact she thought would be a good fit for Paul’s skills and interests. Later that day Paul met with Keith Leavitt, owner of Keith Leavitt Masonry, for an interview. By evening, Paul had a job.

Paul is now a second-year masonry apprentice and enjoys the trade. His employer, Keith, greatly values Paul as a person, and his work ethic and attitude. “Eighty-percent of life is just showing up,” states Keith. “Paul always shows up. When he started, he didn’t have a vehicle. He had to walk to work whether it was sunny, raining or snowing.”

Keith has become somewhat of a mentor to Paul. “Having a boss like Keith is like a ladder helping me climb over that wall. He wants me to succeed. It’s brought my feeling of self-worth way up.”

With stability, supports, and increased confidence, Paul is focused on climbing that ladder. He plans on becoming a Journeyman Mason, followed by a Master Mason. Paul and Amanda moved into their own apartment this past year. Now they are taking steps towards a new goal: buying their own home.

“I’m proud of where I’m at and who I’ve become.”

Each year, Harbor Care’s employment and job training program works with more than 100 veterans experiencing, or at-risk of homelessness to re-enter the workforce. Since 2008, the program has helped more than 1,000 veterans secure employment, including 80 veterans in 2021.