Help for homeless veterans

LEEDS, Mass. (WWLP) - There's some much needed relief for homeless veterans in Western Massachusetts trying to make their way back into the workforce. One non-profit organization in Leeds is helping our heroes get hired.

Soldier On's president John Downing says the homeless veteran population is at risk of being permanently unemployed. Downing told 22News close to 60% of homeless veterans are unemployed and more than a quarter of returning vets have no job. 

Soldier On helps homeless veterans in western Massachusetts with housing, health care, and employment. On Monday the Department of Labor awarded a $400,000 grant to Soldier On. Downing says the money comes at a critical time.

"Most of us in the community at large somehow think veterans jobs are protected and the reality is the jobs in the public sector that they leave are protected well but the jobs in the private sector are not protected," Downing said.

Much of the money will be used for job training. Downing says homeless veterans can usually enter the workforce after a year to 18 months of being in the program. You can click here or call 1-866-406-8449 for more information.