Page 21 - Desert Oracle April 2020

P A V E P R O G R A M U P D A T E

SUCCESS STORIES IMPACT + Opportunities

Some veterans leave active duty
with minor service-connected
injuries that can become more 30 Client Placements
pronounced later in life. This is what • 19 Paid Employment
Chris Donaldson, a U.S. Air Force
veteran, is facing nearly 10 years after Opportunities
he left active duty. During his service
Chris sustained a knee injury, resulting • 11 Educational and
in some range of motion loss. Chris has Volunteer Opportunities
been working as a pipefitter, but
wanted to explore other options in case the degeneration and
pain in his knee becomes too much.

In June of 2019, Chris called the Paralyzed Veterans of America CLIENT PROFILE
requesting assistance with his VA benefits and employment
support through the PAVE program.
• 25 Veterans/ Transitioning

Chris began working with PVA National Service Officer Todd Service Members
Jones Sr. on his benefits and PAVE Counselor Genia Hachenberg,
M.S., CRC, for employment support. During this process, Genia • 5 Caregivers and Family
assisted Chris in setting short- and long-term employment and Members
education goals. They worked together to revise his resume and
Genia presented him with the educational opportunities
available through VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and • 2 PVA Members
Employment (VR&E) program. VR&E is a program for veterans
whose service-connected disabilities limit their ability or prevent
them from continuing to work in their current occupation. The
program provides them with opportunities to explore new PAVE Connect Launch
employment and training opportunities.
th
On January 28 , 2020 the PAVE team
launched a new virtual engagement
Genia advised Chris that to be truly successful in the VR&E
program, he should be prepared with a thorough and attainable initiative, PAVE Connect. PAVE Connect
plan. While Chris waited to hear back about his VR&E bridges a critical gap by reaching veterans
application, he and Genia worked together on appropriate who do not have the time, means, or ability
career goals, including identifying a local college with applicable to attend tradition employment or
degree programs and obtaining labor market information. In educational events.
2019, Chris was approved for VA VR&E support, and in January
2020, he began taking classes at Pascoe Hernando College. PVA PAVE Connect sessions provide timely,
will continue to support Chris as he pursues his degree and in relevant career information– on your
the search for meaningful employment. schedule and from any device. We’re
currently offering two sessions per week.
Learn more at pva.org/pave

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