Join us on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom for the SW Region Town Hall addressing services for Veterans, Transitioning Active Duty, and their Spouses. Regional experts will discuss the various programs available and tell you how to contact them for more information.
This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. No registration required. Please click the following link to join the Zoom event: SW Region Town Hall
MODERATOR:
Josh Orozco is Chairman of the Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board
PRESENTERS:
Eric Rivera is the Quality Assurance Analyst for the Adult and Dislocated Work Programs with New Mexico Workforce Connection.
Pedro (Pete) Carreras is a Veteran Representative in the Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) team with New Mexico Workforce Connection. He specializes in helping veterans overcome challenges against gaining meaningful employment, provide resource information pertaining to training and educational services that may be available to them, and/or provide information on VA disability compensation.
Rob Polanco served 23 years in the United States Air Force and is currently the Local Veteran Employment Representative with New Mexico Workforce Connection. As the Local Veteran Employment Representative, his duties include conducting outreach to employers, facilitating job search workshops, and providing employment and training services to veterans.
Laura A. Berghoff is Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Veterans Affairs VR & E Division and assists veterans and transition service members with reaching their vocational goals. She is a U.S. Air Force Veteran, has a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (VCU), and has 17 years of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (State and Federal).
Alyssa Bond is the Rural Area Outreach Specialist who also is the primary coordinator for the VIC Emergency & Rural Rapid Re-Housing Program. A lifetime New Mexican, Alyssa has been with the VIC for two years helping our state’s Veterans end their homeless cycle, and connecting them with VIC services and supports. Her program is unique in that the funds can be accessed and used to support any Veteran family, including members of the National Guard, Reserves, and un-remarried widows with immediate housing options, or prevent them from becoming homeless if facing eviction. The widow of a Veteran herself, Alyssa understands the challenges that rural Veterans and their families face with limited access to services and resources throughout our state. Although based in Albuquerque, providers and Veterans can access her programs via telephone or email, regardless of location, by calling her at (505) 355-9869 or Alyssa.bond@nmvic.org
