Unemployment for New Vets Rises; Historic Partnership Provides Much Needed Job Support for Thousands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, October 8, 2010

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Unemployment for New Vets Rises; Historic Partnership Provides Much Needed Job Support for Thousands

Groundbreaking program with JCPenney and JA Apparel Corp. provides $1 million in free professional attire to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans 

NEW YORK- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, JCPenney and JA Apparel Corp. introduced “Welcome Home Joe,” a national campaign to provide Iraq and veterans Afghanistan veterans with thousands of free business outfits to help them successfully transition from the military to the workforce. The campaign provides up to $1 million in free certificates for new veterans to purchase professional attire. Starting today, IAVA members can go to TheRucksack.org to claim their certificates.

“With Veterans Day right around the corner, unemployment for new veterans is unacceptably high. This innovative new partnership is a critical piece of our efforts to help new veterans get jobs by giving them tools to get back into the workforce or start a new career,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director of IAVA. “As reinforced by the unemployment numbers released today, thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are coming home to one of the toughest economies in decades and many are struggling to find work. Our partnership with JCPenney and JA Apparel Corp. demonstrates the importance of working together to provide these vets with the resources they deserve to ensure a successful future. For a young veteran coming home, this could be a big boost at a critical time. The “Welcome Home Joe” campaign is a great example of how the private sector can show that they have vets’ backs, even as Washington is failing to deliver results.”

“As a company that has a strong American heritage, we are so proud to partner with these two organizations to support our heroes,” said Anthony Sapienza, Chief Executive Officer of JA Apparel Corp. “By helping veterans during their re-entry into the civilian workforce, we are able to thank them for their service to our country.”

Confirmed IAVA members can visit TheRucksack.org to claim their certificates starting TODAY. Veterans who are not yet IAVA members can register for their free membership at IAVA.org. Five thousand veterans who submit entries will receive a $200 gift certificate to purchase apparel from JOE Joseph Abboud, a collection of sportswear, tailored clothing, dress furnishings, footwear and accessories for men redeemable exclusively at JCPenney.  Qualified entries from female veterans may select professional apparel from Worthington, JCPenney’s modern career wear brand. 

To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, Deputy Executive Director Todd Bowers or a member veteran struggling with unemployment, please contact Isabel Black (212) 982-9699 or isabel@iava.org. 

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 200,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide.

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,107 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. 

JOE Joseph Abboud, which launched exclusively at JCPenney in 2009, includes sportswear, tailored clothing, dress furnishings, outerwear, footwear and accessories with prices ranging from $50 - $180 retail.

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