The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness in January 2024.
Worse still, research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reported that veterans experiencing homelessness are nearly eight times more likely to attempt suicide than housed veterans. Yet, there’s a simple solution to veteran homelessness: job opportunities.
Veterans spend years of their lives serving their country.
However, not all military training is transferable to civilian life. Many returning service members discover they lack both the marketable skills and job experience necessary to secure work. Consequently, many struggle to make ends meet.
Read on to learn how Mid Columbia Forklift is taking a stand and helping veterans back into the workforce.
As a veteran-owned business, Mid Columbia Forklift recognizes the struggles many veterans face reintegrating into civilian life.
49% of all post-9/11 veterans have earned the Combat Action Ribbon, a commendation for serving honorably while under enemy fire. Yet, despite these sacrifices, the unemployment rate for veterans in Washington is higher than the national average year after year. Our veterans need our help, and Mid Columbia Forklift is putting our gratitude into action.
We've long made a point of providing jobs for military veterans.
Now, we are taking the next step toward ending homelessness for our veteran community members. We’ve partnered with the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington to create on-the-job training and career paths for veterans in need. When asked about their thoughts on this partnership, Trey Barber, U.S. Army veteran, said, “As a veteran, OIC of Washington is important to me because they provide critical support and opportunities that help fellow veterans successfully transition into meaningful careers.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Supporting veterans strengthens our team, our customers, and our state.
Simply put, helping our returned service members isn’t just good business; it’s just the right thing to do.
The OIC of Washington is a non-profit focused on career training and economic development.
The first OIC training center opened its doors in Philadelphia in 1964. Seven years later, the Washington chapter (originally the Yakima Valley Opportunities Industrialization Center) officially formed on September 1, 1971. With a budget of $156,000, they served 150 clients and placed 124 jobs in the first year.
Their doors officially opened on January 17, 1972.
In those early days, programs centered around typing, bookkeeping, filing, grocery checking, GED instruction, counseling, and job placement. As their programs grew, so too did their influence. To date, they have brought in more than $90 million to support self-sufficiency for individuals and communities. Currently, they serve fourteen communities throughout Washington.
Recently, the Department of Labor awarded them a Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program grant to develop job training for veterans in Washington.
Photo Caption: The veterans of Mid Columbia Forklift bring skills that still serve. Representing the Marine Corps, Army, National Guard, and Coast Guard, they carry forward lessons learned in uniform: teamwork, leadership, discipline, and attention to detail.
Across every branch location, our veterans say the same thing: success comes from relying on one another, doing the job right the first time, and showing up every day ready to help the team win.
Their shared mindset is why our partnership with the OIC of Washington matters so much. It gives more veterans the chance to build new careers, mentor others, and keep serving through the work that keeps our customers moving.
The National Association of Manufacturers reports that 77% of manufacturing managers cited the skilled labor shortage as their most significant business challenge.
Recognizing this opportunity for our veterans, we've committed to working with the OIC to identify and provide on-the-job training experiences for veteran participants for up to 90 days. Veterans who complete the program are guaranteed permanent employment with Mid Columbia Forklift (contingent on job availability).
Better yet, our veterans on staff are excited that Mid Columbia Forklift is taking this next step.
When asked about their thoughts on these on-the-job training experiences, Casey Feaster, U.S. Coast Guard veteran, said, “It has allowed me to work with and mentor others. It’s been exciting to watch others achieve their goals. Their success is my success.”
With the OIC’s support, we are excited to offer both training and a career to as many veterans as possible.
Our service members sacrifice so much for our country. We are proud to offer this program as a way to express our unending gratitude for all of Washington’s veterans. After all, they help ensure we remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.
To learn more about this program or other Mid Columbia Forklift initiatives to support veterans, contact us online or visit one of our locations.
Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137
Further Reading
Your Partner in Productivity
Forklift Technician Spotlight: Boris Kogan
Tune Up Your Career: Become a Forklift Technician