Tag Archives: el paso veterans

Thanks to a partnership between EHN’s Veterans One Stop Center, El Paso Community College and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission several El Paso area veterans or their qualifying dependent recently completed a free, 60-hour course where they learned how to build and operate their own computer, then are able to call it their own.

“We are so proud to be a part of this initiative. Computer technology is priceless in our day and age, so the fact that these veterans not only learned how to build a computer, but also learned the ‘ins and outs’ of operating that computer is such a valuable tool for these individuals,” said Noe Vargas, EHN Veterans Services Manager.

“What made this program even better is the participants were able to keep the computer and have it for their personal use.”

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission provided the funding for the three week course offered by EPCC as Computer Hardware, Employability Skills Training.

“We want to thank everyone involved in this program because these are skills that can be used out in the workforce, and we also want to recognize our veterans who committed to investing in their future,” added Vargas.

Participants received a Certificate of Completion from EPCC and displayed their newly-constructed computers at a ceremony held Friday afternoon.

The City of El Paso is proud to announce that a new veteran specific website is now up and ready to serve the veteran and military community in the borderland.

The informative website, hosted by the City, provides valuable information in a centralized location to help veterans and their families better find resources and services. The website features information on education, training, employment, childcare, healthcare, food assistance, transportation, and housing.

Rather than searching for each of these resources individually, users can now visit one website to find all this information in a simple to use format.

The City in recent years has focused its efforts on our veteran community by creating new initiatives in honor of our city’s heroes. In addition to the new website, the City has also brought on other veteran specific initiatives.

Military Affairs Liaison – This newly created position is currently in the interview process and is expected to be filled in the coming weeks. This employee will serve as the liaison between the City organization and Fort Bliss, and will also be involved in the development of special interest programs for veterans and dependents. The Military Affairs Liaison will be under the direction Deputy City Manager Cary Westin who oversees the Economic Development and Tourism portfolio.

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee – This committee was formed to serve as a source of information related to the status, resources and services available within the El Paso community to the City’s large veteran population. In addition, the committee is asked to evaluate and recommend programs, policies and practices designed to alleviate veterans’ difficulties in meeting basic needs related to transportation, housing, employment and other areas affecting veterans in the city.

Annual Veteran City Employee Luncheon – Knowing that veterans are living and working all around us, the City of El Paso has started a new tradition, a Veterans Day Luncheon for its more than 600 employees who are proud veterans. This luncheon allows City leaders to thank our veterans not only for their service to the City of El Paso, but also for their service to our Country.

Veteran Employment Incentive – In 2015, City Council approved an update to its economic development incentive policy which includes a bonus rebate (property or sales tax) for companies that actively employ veterans (15% of their workforce) and establish a formal veteran hiring program.

A recent study from personal finance website WalletHub has identified El Paso as the best city in Texas for Veterans, and the 7^th best city for Veterans nationwide.

The study explored more than a dozen different metrics to rank 100 of the most populated U.S. cities with the goal of identifying the most livable cities for military service members. Some of the metrics analyzed include: crime rate, veteran population, housing affordability, and educational opportunities.

The City of El Paso organization in recent years has also focused its efforts on our veteran community by creating new initiatives in honor of our city’s heroes.

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee – This committee was formed to serve as a source of information related to the status, resources and services available within the El Paso community to the City’s large veteran population. In addition, the committee is asked to evaluate and recommend programs, policies and practices designed to alleviate veterans’ difficulties in meeting basic needs related to transportation, housing, employment and other areas affecting veterans in the city.

Veteran City Employee Luncheon – Knowing that veterans are living and working all around us, the City of El Paso organized a Veterans Day Luncheon for its more than 600 employees who are proud veterans. This luncheon allows City leaders to thank our veterans not only for their service to the City of El Paso, but also for their service to our Country.

Veterans Day Closures – On September 15, 2015, City Council unanimously approved making Veterans Day an official designated City holiday. This year the City shifted its work hours so city employees may be with family members who are or have served in the military on Veterans Day.

Veteran Employment Incentive – Earlier this month, City Council approved an update to its economic development incentive policy which includes a bonus rebate (property or sales tax) for companies that actively employ veterans (15% of their workforce) and establish a formal veteran hiring program.

2015’s Best Cities for Veterans (WalletHub.com)

Overall Rank              City          Overall Score

1          Irvine, CA            74.84

2          Scottsdale, AZ      69.21

3          Raleigh, NC          68.72

4          Orlando, FL          68.64

5          Gilbert, AZ           68.05

6        San Diego, CA                 67.19

7        El Paso, TX                   66.50

8        Sacramento, CA               66.16

9        Austin, TX                       65.13

10      Lubbock, TX                     64.93