TMCnet News
Hagan Visits Charlotte Bridge Home To Discuss Veterans Transition To Civilian LifeJan 10, 2013 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Hagan Visits Charlotte Bridge Home To Discuss Veterans' Transition To Civilian Life January 10, 2013 Contact: Hannah Smith 202-407-5177 [email protected] Charlotte, NC - U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today met with staff and a client at Charlotte Bridge Home (CBH) to discuss ways to help new veterans successfully transition into civilian life after military service. CBH, a locally-run nonprofit, has already helped more than 200 veterans and family members start new lives in Charlotte by identifying their education, healthcare and employment needs and connecting them to the right community organizations and state and federal resources. "So many of us in North Carolina, including myself, come from proud military families," said Hagan. "We know that our courageous servicemembers and families face many challenges when transitioning into civilian life. Charlotte Bridge Home is doing incredible work at the community level to ease that transition, and it is a model that can be replicated across the state and across the country as more of our servicemen and women return home. Our veterans put their lives on hold to serve our nation, and I am committed to working with officials at the local, state and federal levels to ensure veterans have the resources they need to be successful in their new communities." Hagan was joined during the discussion by Angelique Mitchell, a Charlotte resident and Army widow who was introduced to Charlotte Bridge Home by Hagan's office. "I am very thankful and appreciative of Senator Hagan and her staff not only for being able to help me and my family but for introducing me to Charlotte Bridge Home,"said Mitchell. "Knowing she is supportive of this organization that is doing so much to help veterans and families really means a lot to me because it means others are getting the same support." CBH board and staff members including Board Chair Tommy Norman, Executive Director Frances Thompson and Lead Social Worker Sara Milbourne also joined Hagan. Their discussion focused on major issues facing returning servicemembers in Charlotte and the ways Hagan's office can continue working with Charlotte Bridge Home to ensure a successful transition, including making sure veterans and their families know what resources are available to them when they leave the service. The group also discussed how to improve coordination among agencies that serve veterans. "Charlotte and North Carolina have some of the highest projections for returning veterans as our troops come home from Afghanistan," said Norman. "They are coming here with their families to pursue civilian careers and Charlotte Bridge Home is committed to a strong, community-wide transitional effort. We are fortunate in having very active national leadership, like Senator Kay Hagan and her staff, who are critical in closing some of the severe program gaps." As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hagan has made it a top priority to ensure federal policies work for our active duty military, veterans and their families. She fought for passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, legislation modeled after her own Hire a Hero Act, which gives tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed veterans and provide our returning heroes with the job training skills needed for a smooth transition into civilian life. During the discussion, Hagan encouraged veterans in North Carolina to contact her office if they need assistance navigating a federal agency. Hagan's office can be reached toll free at 1-877-852-9462. Hagan comes from a strong military family. Her father-in-law was a two-star Marine General and her husband, father and brother all served in the Navy. She has two nephews on active duty who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. |