jcpenney, IAVA Launch “Welcome Heroes” Employment Support Program in NYC

MEDIA ADVISORY
Thursday, October 27, 2011

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jcpenney, IAVA Launch “Welcome Heroes” Employment Support Program in NYC

Men’s fashion show will highlight program, surprise shoppers at Manhattan Mall

WHAT: A pop-up fashion show to celebrate the launch of the “Welcome Heroes” veterans employment support program, a partnership between IAVA and jcpenney to give away over $1 million worth of business apparel to IAVA Member Veterans.  jcpenney and IAVA Veteran models will showcase jcpenney’s newest line of apparel, while promoting “Welcome Heroes.”

WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 5 p.m.

WHERE: Manhattan Mall, 33^rd and 6^th (6^th Avenue entrance), New York, NY

WHO: IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff will be joined by IAVA and jcpenney staff members.  Matt Colvin, a two-tour Afghanistan veteran and IAVA staff member, will model in the fashion show and be available for interviews afterwards.

“On Thursday, the veteran unemployment crisis will get the attention of even busy New Yorkers. After taking off the uniform, one of the greatest challenges that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans face is transitioning to a civilian workforce that doesn’t truly understand their experience. Thousands of veterans are coming home today to significantly higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than their civilian peers,” said Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Executive Director of IAVA. “Having the confidence to walk into an interview and articulate the value of their military experience is absolutely critical for navigating today’s job market. IAVA is proud to partner with jcpenney on ‘Welcome Heroes’ so veterans of this New Greatest Generation have the resources needed to continue their leadership and service at home.”

If you are a member of the media who wishes to cover the October 27^th event at the Manhattan Mall or to arrange an interview with IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Member Veteran and model Matt Colvin or another IAVA Member Veteran, 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 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.