VIEW Blog - JVS SoCal is Helping Veterans Turn Skills Into Careers
In this edition of the Veterans in Every Workforce® (VIEW) blog, we highlight JVS SoCal. A long-time Heroes Linked partner, JVS SoCal also connects the veterans it works with to our Heroes Network to expand their professional support systems.
JVS SoCal offers a wide range of services to help veterans build stable careers and navigate the transition to civilian life, emphasizing practical support, clear employment pathways, and coordinated assistance across Los Angeles County.
The Veterans First program is the core of this effort. Veterans meet privately with career counselors who assist them in everything from updating résumés and creating LinkedIn profiles to preparing for interviews and finding jobs that suit their skills. Counselors are familiar with the complexities of military experience—how to present it to civilian employers and how to explain gaps in employment due to deployments or medical issues. This personalized support often becomes the first reliable point of contact for veterans who lack a clear path forward.
JVS SoCal also provides workforce training for veterans seeking new credentials or a different career direction. Training programs, offered in partnership with local employers, cover fields such as healthcare, technology, financial services, and various trades. Because actual hiring needs shape the curriculum, participants finish the program with relevant skills and a realistic shot at a job, not just a certificate.
Some veterans arrive needing more than just employment assistance. The Veterans Peer Navigator Program pairs them with trained veterans who can support them through challenges that often make civilian life difficult—housing, transportation, mental health referrals, childcare, and navigating VA systems. Peer navigators offer consistent, informed support, which can be especially helpful when veterans face multiple pressures simultaneously.
For those struggling with unstable housing or financial strain, JVS SoCal offers housing-stability and financial-assistance services. The organization works with regional partners to help veterans secure or maintain housing, avoid eviction, access emergency funds when necessary, and regain their financial footing. These services are designed to create enough stability for veterans to focus on employment or training opportunities.
Another important component is JVS SoCal’s work with employers. Its employer engagement team organizes hiring events, facilitates interviews, and helps companies understand how to hire and retain veteran talent. This direct link between veterans and employers helps shorten the often-lengthy job-search process and ensures that qualified candidates are noticed.
The Women Veterans Program offers extra support for women who have served, recognizing that their transition experiences often differ from male veterans. The program provides personalized career advice, peer support, and leadership development opportunities.
Across all programs, JVS SoCal lowers barriers. Veterans can start with the service they need most and are then connected to other resources as their situation changes. The organization’s partnerships with community groups, government agencies, and employers enable veterans to move between services without needing to restart each time.
Through this coordinated effort, JVS SoCal assists thousands of veterans each year in securing jobs, finding housing, completing training, and regaining a sense of momentum as they transition to civilian life.
