The Coalition
Join the Coalition
For over 10 years, the West Michigan Veterans Coalition (WMVC) has been establishing partnerships with resources within West Michigan to assist Military-connected individuals and their Families with Education, Employment, Healthcare and Quality of Life issues.
With over 700 members, we have four main committees to help meet the focused missions. Learn more about each committee below or consider joining as a general member.
MEMBER AREA
General Membership
General Membership WMVC/R4 VCAT Meetings
• The 5 bi-monthly meetings were held in 4 different counties across the Region to ensure support to the vast majority of WMVC members. Counties where meetings were held include: Muskegon, Kent, Osceola, and Ottawa. (February’s meeting was canceled due to weather and not made up)
• The average attendance at 2019’s meetings was 51.
• We ended the year with 739 members! Up from 709 at the beginning of 2019.
Committee of the West Michigan Veterans Coalition
Membership in the coalition will provide you with access to over 600 educators, service providers, and employers within West Michigan. To join the coalition and be connected to our network of resources, meeting notifications, and news related to the military-connected community, click on the link below.
EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE (ESGR)
ESGR is an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component members and their civilian employers and works to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.
Contact Mel Bauman or Paul Ryan for more information
BECOME A MILITARY-FRIENDLY EMPLOYER (MFE)
Apply here with the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency, www.michiganveterans.com
Bronze Level – a goal to hire veteran employees and support the Guard and Reserve
Silver-Level – veteran-specific employee onboarding, retention and/or apprenticeship programs
Gold-Level – retention tracking, spouse initiatives, further outreach
Contact Marissa Clugston or Sharlene Organ for assistance
ATTEND MONTHLY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Meets 1st Tue of every month 3:30 – 5:00 PM @ SpartanNash YMCA, 5722 Metro Way SW, Wyoming.
Employers and Veteran Service Providers meet to discuss local veterans looking for employment as well as best practices or issues employers are facing sourcing or retaining veteran talent. Service providers give an update from their veteran caseloads and a military-friendly employer will share best practices with the group.
Contact the co-chairs: Brandi McBride and Eric Stoll with any questions
VETERAN NETWORKING JOB CLUB (VNJC)
Meets 9:30-11am, 3rd Thursday of each month @ 215 Straight St, NW in Grand Rapids
Email John Walker or Tyler Sisson to present as an employer to veteran candidates
QUARTERLY CONNECTION EVENTS
Employers can sign up to host or sponsor these events – often held at a restaurant or brewery. Resumes are provided in advance and the event is capped at 10-15 veterans and employers to create intentional connections.
2020 dates – May 7 | Aug 6 | Nov 5
Contact Deb Unseld if you are interested in hosting or attending
CONNECT
Include the WMVC 1-pager in your onboarding materials for new employees and provide website info/resource info to any military-connected materials
The Healthcare Committee is dedicated to providing Military-connected individuals and
their Families the best resources for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
within the military and civilian healthcare communities.
• Veteran housing
• Assisting veterans with barriers to employment
• Veterans’ legal issues
• Female veterans’ issues generally
• Spiritual well-being and social support
• Transportation