JOHNSTON, RI — Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse along with Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo saluted Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s (OSDRI) for winning a new $100,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through its new Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program.

This federal funding will help OSDRI target employment-based assistance to support recently separated members of the Armed Forces and their spouses.  The funding may be used for a variety of activities, such as: resume assistance, interview training, job recruitment training, employment placement services, employment education and training, and referrals to employment.

“I salute Operation Stand Down Rhode Island for empowering those who serve and their families.  I am excited that OSDRI will be among the first non-profits to partner with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on this new program aimed at expanding job counseling services and enhancing the post-service transition experience for veterans and military spouses.  The men and women of our Armed Forces and their families make tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedom.  It’s important that we help them effectively transition to civilian life,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Milcon-VA, who attended OSDRI’s annual veterans outreach event last week.  “OSDRI does a great job offering tailored support to military families to help people achieve their career and life goals.  This new federal grant will help them extend their reach and help more veterans and their spouses make a smooth transition from service to success.”

“We have a sacred commitment to honor and support our veterans long after they return home,” said Senator Whitehouse.  “This new funding for Operation Stand Down Rhode Island will provide veterans and their spouses with resources to land well-paying jobs and achieve their career goals.  Well done to the team at Operation Stand Down Rhode Island for all of their work to help veterans adjust to civilian life.”

“It is our solemn duty to take care of veterans who have bravely answered the call to serve,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “Operation Stand Down Rhode Island has long been a vital resource for veterans and their families, and as a testament to their work, they are among the first organizations in the country to receive this federal funding that will help connect veterans to good-paying jobs and improve the transition to civilian life.”

“I applaud Operation Stand Down Rhode Island for securing these federal funds to bolster their work as a key partner and a critical lifeline for veterans and military families.” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “As they heroically strive to ease the transition from service to civilian life, their selection by the Department of Veterans Affairs for this first-in-the-nation grant is an endorsement of their proven track record of success in our state.”

“This award represents crucially needed employment-based resources and tools to support recently separated Rhode Islanders of the Armed Forces and, notably, for the first time, their spouses as well.  OSDRI’s employment and training program is a crucial part of its wraparound services intended to provide veterans a “hand up – not a handout.”  Being able to help unemployed and underemployed members of the veteran household helps secure a promising and self-sustaining future for those who have placed the needs of our nation ahead of their own and their families,” said Erik B. Wallin, Executive Director of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island.

Over 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service every year and transition to civilian life.  The Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program is a first-of-its kind grant program that is being extended to support the spouses of veterans. 

OSDRI is one of 13 organizations to be awarded funding under this program aimed at enhancing career stability and expanding employment resources for veteran and military families, including improving transition assistance support for spouses.  These grants require a 1 to 1 local match.

In addition to OSDRI, the other inaugural grant recipients that provide transition services to former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged and their spouses, include:

  • American Corporate Partners
  • Corporate America Supports You
  • Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board
  • Jacksonville State University
  • Jewish Vocational Service
  • Kansas City Scholars Inc.
  • National University
  • Operation Stand Down Tennessee
  • Orange County United Way
  • The Commit Foundation
  • The Houston Launch Pad
  • University Of Massachusetts

The Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program is made possible thanks to the bipartisan Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (P.L. 116–315), which was enacted in 2021.

Separating troops and their spouses who need assistance navigating the transition to civilian life may access Military OneSource services through the U.S. Department of Defense for one year after they leave the service.