BUILDING A FUTURE FOR UKRAINE’S VETERANS

Meeting veterans’ needs is a current ongoing challenge for the Ukrainian government and will continue in the post war environment. The challenge is on two fronts: medical and societal. On the medical front there is a great need for prosthetics care and dealing with mental disabilities, especially issues of PTSD. Many groups, both domestic and foreign, are involved in providing prosthesis and psychological support.

Job Creation

Recruit companies to announce that a certain number of veterans will be hired/trained to work in their companies.
Create a databank/website where companies can list positions and veterans can advertise their individual skill sets
Special efforts need to be made for remote work opportunities for qualified veterans.

Family Liaison

When a veteran leaves military service the first point of reintroduction to society is the family. The experiences in military service can impact a veteran’s relations with a spouse, children and other family members and can lead to issues of alcohol and drugs, all of which can impact a veteran’s job performance or ability to obtain a job. For these reasons, it is important that corporations establish a Family Liaison office which can help veterans deal with family issues and, thereby, help them to have a normal home environment and to be productive employees.

Many companies may be too small to be able to establish such liaison offices. It would, therefore, be good to establish such offices outside the framework of large companies, so that the counseling services can be provided to as many veterans as possible. Various nonprofits in Ukraine may be interested in setting up these kind of services.

Communications

Many disabled veterans do not have the mobility to fully become part of the daily life of the country. In these situations, it is important to provide qualified veterans with communications equipment (laptop, internet, cell phone) so that they can be integrated into the daily life of the country, including remote work opportunities.

Networking

Create local support networks where veterans can gather to exchange their job and social experiences and interact with potential employers.

Transportation

In the context of the local support networks, a transportation corps of volunteers needs to be created to help transport qualified veterans to their jobs, medical appointments, etc.

Accountability

There should be an examination of government programs to evaluate their effectiveness. This should include, for example, the loan process to help veterans finance a home or start a business. Also, the government needs to be proactive in initiating private sector jobs for veterans.

A central office should be created outside the government structure where veterans can lodge complaints, seek assistance, etc.

The Unity Club looks forward to working with the private sector in structuring a comprehensive approach to veteran employment and reintegration into society. This effort can be a first step in rebuilding Ukraine as a prosperous, democratic and secure member of the international community.