It’s no secret that exercising regularly is crucial to one’s physical health and can yield positive benefits such as reduction of stress, increased energy and self-confidence. It’s also no secret that trying to maintain a regular exercise routine is especially difficult during a major life transition, such as the move from military to civilian life. For the transitioning veteran, it’s increasingly important to stay active after the military (as outlined in this previous post), but it can also be difficult to find the time to dedicate towards a healthy lifestyle. The Center for Disease Control recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise. That breaks down into five sessions of 30 minute workouts. Read on  for some simple ways to fit in exercise, in small and manageable bursts. 1. Choose the Stairs Over the Elevator If you’re physically able, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator can be a great way to sneak in some quick cardio. It may not seem like much, but it can help to improve your circulation throughout the day, and can elevate your heart rate to help improve your metabolism. According to Canadian Living, a 160-pound person can burn 50 calories by climbing stairs for four minutes. Multiply four minutes of stairs by 5 week days, and you could potentially burn over 12,000 calories in a year, just by making one simple switch. 2. Ditch the Shopping Cart There are plenty of ways to incorporate a few muscle-building exercises during everyday activities, no gym membership necessary. […]

In June 2014, Governor John Kasich signed into law important legislation that will improve veterans’ access to employment opportunities and higher education. While the full effects of the law remain to be seen, it’s clear that job seeking veterans can expect to have an easier time conducting their job search. With approximately 900,000 veterans living in the state and more returning home every day, the Kasich administration realized new standards were needed to provide greater support to Ohio’s military families. The governor introduced Ohio House Bill 488 in March as part of a larger plan to stimulate economic growth in the state, and in just a few months, the bill passed with unanimous votes in the House and the Senate. Currently, the state is in the process of implementing the law. If you’re a veteran, it’s important to understand the new benefits granted to you. Rather than reading the legislation in its entirety, which you could do here, Military Veterans Resource Center has outlined the law’s important advantages for Ohio’s veteran job seekers and student-veterans. Stay tuned for these important changes coming your way soon. Job Seekers: To ensure veterans have every employment opportunity possible, the new legislation establishes a more flexible process for issuing state licenses and certifications to veterans. Previously, many veterans had skills and training gained from the military, but could not show proof of these skills to potential employers, making them less competitive job candidates. A press release recently published by the Ohio Department of Veterans […]

“I need a job,” said Ty Ospino, one of the first job seekers to arrive at Military Veterans Resource Center’s Veterans Career Fair on Friday, July 18. After 14 years of service in the U.S. Army, Ospino is preparing to separate from the military and hopes to find a job in research and development. As soon as the doors opened, he began making the rounds, speaking with company representatives and handing out copies of his resume. Veterans from all walks of life attended the Veterans Career Fair, some just beginning the transition and some having been retired for years.  Held at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, the event marked the second career fair hosted by Military Veterans Resource Center in 2014. Both fairs were organized by MVRC’s Dayton-area career specialist, Kelley Koons,  and attended by Ohio area employers. Even though the event was scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., veterans began arriving at 9 a.m., eager to meet with over 50 potential employers. Though from different industries (insurance, technology, manufacturing, government, etc.) many employers seemed to agree that passion for the work was the most desirable quality in prospective employees. “I’ll take somebody with passion over somebody with the skill set any day,” said Lori Laggett, representing LexisNexis. Representatives from UTC Aerospace Systems and Western & Southern Life also said that a candidate’s personality and ability to engage with others stands out the most during the hiring process. Popular among veterans were companies in […]

When asked why he chose Home Depot as his employer, U.S. Army veteran Jesse Gavin discussed the company’s significance to his future. “I’ll have a foundation for understanding how to build homes, restore homes and sell them,” he said. Since separating from the military, it has been Gavin’s goal to launch his career in the real estate business. In the spring of 2014, he decided to take advantage of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and is currently working toward an associate degree in real estate. Upon graduation, Gavin will be qualified to become a Licensed Appraiser with the state of Ohio and conduct home appraisals. Ultimately, his true ambition is to start his own business restoring and selling homes, and Gavin felt gaining practical work experience was essential to his success. On April 10, 2014, he began his employment at the Home Depot in Gahanna, Ohio as a Customer Associate in the lumber department. Even though he holds a part-time position, he clocks more than thirty hours each week tore through its busiest time of day.  “I help customers with projects that deal with framework–stairs, drywall, walls, windows. I stock shelves and answer questions.” Oftentimes, he finds his military training comes in handy when working long hours and meeting the customers’ needs. “The ability to transition from one thing to the next and think on your feet helps at Home Depot…You can’t just pick these skills up off the street or from school,” said Gavin. Widely recognized as one of […]

On Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, Military Veterans Resource Center kicked off its second annual Feed OHIO Vets food drive, in partnership with the statewide Feed OHIO initiative. New this year, any veteran or military member who helps collect for the food drive can receive 2 tickets to see Five Finger Death Punch live on Oct. 4, 2014. The concert will take place at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. To be eligible for the tickets, participants must collect and deliver non-perishable food or personal care items to one of MVRC’s resource centers by Friday, Sept. 26. There is no maximum or minimum limit to the size of donations MVRC will accept. Before they receive the tickets, participants will also be required to show proof of military service. All food and personal care items collected in the food drive will be donated to military families in need. We encourage all veterans who are able to head out into their communities and start collecting for Feed OHIO Vets today! Together, we can give our heroes the support they deserve. For questions or additional information, call 614-230-0662.

Military Veterans Resource Center invites all job seeking veterans to attend a career workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. The event will feature recruiters from employers who are hiring for multiple positions. The career workshop is free for participants and will take place at MVRC’s Hamilton office, located at 914 Ross Ave. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch included. Veterans interested in attending the workshop must pre-register by contacting career specialist Dan Dunaway at 513-252-2395, or dan.dunaway@milvetsrc.org. The workshop is limited to 15 participants. Interested veterans should call today to be sure of a seat. This interactive workshop is designed to improve veterans’ job search skills and help them become more competitive candidates. MVRC career specialists will provide individual career assessments and will teach resume and cover letter writing. If veterans have a resume, they should bring it, as they will spend time revising their current resume or writing a new one. The career specialists will also conduct mock interview sessions and help the participants improve their interview skills.   Military Veterans Resource Center invites job seeking veterans to attend a career workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. The career workshop is free for participants and will take place at the Dayton Volunteers of America office, located on the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Campus at 4100 W. Third St., Building 400. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch included. Veterans interested in attending the workshop must pre-register by contacting career specialist […]

Alcohol use has long been associated with military culture. For many who serve, drinking is a way to bond with other soldiers, relax during times of stress and “let loose” in an otherwise highly structured in environment. That being said, the military also has a history of alcohol misuse among its service members. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), military-related traumatic stress increases the risk for people to abuse alcohol. The VA also reports that 27% of veterans in VA care diagnosed with PTSD have Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD), which is the dependence on drugs, alcohol or smoking. This April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a reminder to get updated on the warning signs and harmful effects of alcohol abuse. If left unchecked, long term alcohol abuse can lead to heart problems, liver disease, diabetes, neurological complications and other serious mental and physical health problems. Especially for veterans, who served in high-stress environments and conflicts, it’s important to understand when having a few drinks “just to relax” can cross the line to alcohol abuse. What is alcohol abuse? Alcohol abuse occurs when you engage in harmful drinking habits, such as binge drinking, and it can lead to alcohol addiction. According to WebMd, “When you abuse alcohol, you continue to drink even though you know your drinking is causing problems.” Alcohol addiction, also called alcohol dependence or alcoholism, is when you have a physical or mental addiction to alcohol. In other words, you feel strong cravings for alcohol, or […]

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, which means now is the time to start planning something special for your Mom—if you haven’t already. Your gesture doesn’t need to be expensive or extravagant. There are plenty of activities you can do together or homemade gifts you could make to give thanks. For military members, many retailers and businesses are offering discounts to help you out this Mother’s Day holiday. Activities: Show Mom you care by spending some quality time together. All of these activities are fun for families and can be cost effective with your discount. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Moms will receive free admission to the Cincinnati Zoo on Mother’s Day. Show your military ID any other day and adults receive $3 off admission and children receive $2 off admission. The military discount is valid for immediate family members only. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Moms will receive free admission to the Cleveland Zoo on Mother’s Day. On any other day, the Cleveland Zoo offers a military discount for the service member (active or retired) and up to six people in the group. For more details, call 216-635-3310. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Moms can enjoy free admission at the Columbus Zoo on Mother’s Day with one paid child’s or grandchild’s admission ticket. The regular military discount is $2 off admission for active and retired service members and up to six people in their family. Proof of service must be presented. Toledo Zoo Mothers will receive free admission to the Toledo Zoo with one paid child’s admission […]

Tomorrow, May 1, begins National Military Appreciation Month–a time designated by Congress for all citizens to recognize, honor and show appreciation for those who have served in our nation’s military. With this in mind, we wanted our next Spotlight edition to feature a veteran who embodies what Military Appreciation Month is all about–giving thanks by giving back to veterans in need. U.S. Marine Corps veteran Art Harris was a natural choice. Harris, the founder and owner of Essential Auto Service in Whitehall, Ohio, has collaborated with MVRC many times to help our veteran clients. Whether the need was a car repair or an auto repair estimate, Harris has always worked out a fair deal and provided quality service to the veteran. “Just like MVRC, Art is interested in doing what’s best for the vet,” said MVRC Director of Operations Tim Taylor. Taylor first sought out Harris’s help in 2013 when MVRC began receiving requests for transportation assistance. At the time, the organization had just expanded its service model from providing career services to taking a more holistic approach to veterans’ services. This included providing bus passes and gas cards to vets so they could get to work, and then we started seeing vets who needed help paying for car repairs. Taylor, also a Marine Corps veteran, knew Harris through their connection to the Marines, and called Harris to discover how much he would charge for the repairs. Harris offered up reasonable rates and has since partnered with MVRC. “Art charges […]

Asking for help in a time of crisis is not easy, especially for veterans, who are used to adapting to tough situations. At MVRC, we strive to be a “safe harbor” for vets–a space where they feel accepted and open to asking for help. Every day, veterans and their families share with us their need for food, housing, employment and health-related services. Our mission is to give them the tools and resources they need to become self-reliant in their careers and lives. This May–National Military Appreciation Month–we’re inviting you to join us in our mission. On Friday, May 1, we launched our first annual Help A Vet campaign in support of Ohio’s veterans and their families in need. To participate, make an online donation to one of our three funds addressing the significant barriers veterans face. A donation of $1 could provide $10 of groceries to a family in need. $50 could help a veteran obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and launch his or her post-service career. However, supporting our funds isn’t the only thing you can do to contribute. Here are a three other ways you can Help A Vet this Military Appreciation Month. 1) Volunteer your time. Be a part of our mission in action. Throughout the year, volunteers provide important support to our programs including career fairs, resource fairs, food drives and special events that raise awareness for veterans issues. Call 614-230-0662 to find out about volunteer opportunities today. 2) Make item donations. Donations don’t have […]