Unemployed Female Veterans Get Support From State Of California

The San Gabriel Tribune reported on Thursday that California is making an effort to help out female veterans that are having trouble finding work after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Their trouble securing and holding down a job is sometimes caused by the psychological effects of being in combat zones. Women affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is fairly common among veterans, often feel ashamed that they have the symptoms. In addition, many women experience guilt for leaving their families and children behind.

All of these issues hold back women from finding work and thriving in the workplace. The California Employment Development Department (EDD), San Gabriel Valley office, held its first job symposium fair directed exclusively at women.

Auggie Gomez, a veteran's employment representative for the EDD, explains:

"We are seeing more and more females coming out of the military ... like men, they find themselves with mental health issues, some are homeless or close to being homeless ... a lot of them are single parents who can't find adequate child care ... and many don't want to talk about their personal issues in front of me."

Thursday's symposium invited employers and services directed at women, with typical job search opportunities and training information, as well as free child care opportunities and mental health support information.

Comments

[mamacat]

10:44 PM on 03/21/2010

Let's face it, life is tough. Add to the mix some ptsd, and it can be near impossible. Best wishes to all veterans.

[wassilij]

09:14 PM on 03/24/2010

x2

[bleubunny]

11:06 AM on 03/21/2010

Thank goodness someone is finally helping women. It seems like womens issues get swept aside just about every time.

Why isn't there more help for women? We make less than men, get laid off first, have babies to care for...the list is endless.

I think they should have scholarships for single mothers to go back to school.

You would be shocked to know how little help there is for women and single mothers out there...

[larry278]

02:35 PM on 03/20/2010

As an old ex GI, I'm glad to see that somebody is aiding our comrades & sisters in arms to get jobs. PTSD strikes both men & women. Thanks the folks in Ca for doing this job.

[Das Hirschenhofer 11]

06:37 AM on 03/21/2010

Great comments...and thank you larry278 for your service. I'm a forty percent disable (SC) vet from the Army. I am always baffled at the way our country has treated it's defenders? The V.A. has made great strides these past few years. At Wichita's R.Dole med-cntr, I have seen a 8005 improvement since the early 90's. I hope the V.A.s in California have improved also, because the last time I was at one in Martinez, Ca...I sat an watched an old vet die in the waiting room about two minutes after asking a Nurse for help, he was told to wait his turn...despite his fading color. Some of vets can't help but become cynical after viewing this stuff.

These ladies deserve a hell of a lot more than I see them getting. Used abused and spit out like so much fodder. My prayers are with you all. Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice.

[larry278]

04:04 PM on 03/23/2010

I guess I could be thanked for enlisting but I got a great deal more than I gave when I served. If you enlist you know that you'll be killed or be maimed in the line of duty. I got hurt but I'm alive. I've been counseled not to speak of the conditions which I faced. I can deal with that for I'm 100% SC disabled from service in peace time. That was 55 years ago. I wasn't out for glory or medals. Simply serving the USA is an honor. I had that honor for a few years.
I got a college education, was able to work despite my disabilities, get mediocre VA medical care. Life & the VA aren't perfect. I feel that I've survived despite of the VA's acts.
OK, those of you who've never been abused by VA physicians & employees, may sing the VA's praise. I'm lucky to have survived. Let's leave it there.
I feel pain when I see a suffering ex-GI that America has discarded by neglect. These ladies must be respected. End of screed.

[gmb007]

01:40 AM on 03/20/2010

Politics over the wars aside, isn't it bitterly ironic that our military - who fight for a country that ships off American jobs overseas by the millions - cannot find a job when they return?

What, exactly, are they fighting for?