The Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, Inc. (PVMSEC) received a $60,000 grant to expand its capacity to train women veterans for green jobs. This grant is part of the Moving From Red Green: Working Women in the Green Economy, a Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation initiative funded by the Walmart Foundation. Today women make up 17% of the armed forces, a number that has risen considerably since the Vietnam War. As women are discharged from the military and begin to transition back into civilian life some face many barriers to obtaining employment. Reports from the Department of Defense Mental Health Task Force highlight the growing mental health problems that troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are experiencing. Nearly 50 percent of National Guard members and reservists report symptoms of mental disorders and many veterans find it difficult to access military-provided clinical care and support groups. This grant will address those barriers and give women veterans the necessary resources to obtain a successful career in the green industry.

“We would like to thank BPWF and Walmart for giving us this great opportunity to make an impact on female veterans’ lives.” said PVMSEC’s CEO, Edward Lowry. “We believe the emerging green economy offers immense employment potential for women veterans. Many women who serve in the armed forces are drawn to and have experience serving in non-traditional jobs; they are well suited to pursue careers in the green economy and we are extremely excited to start working on this initiative.”

If you would like more information contact us at: 215-923-2600.