The Veterans IT CenterThe Veterans IT Center

5079 Queens, St. Louis Missouri

The Veterans IT CenterThe Veterans IT Center IT IT (Instructional & Transitional) Center (Instructional & Transitional) Center trains veterans in skills leading to jobs trains veterans in skills leading to jobs following honorable service to our following honorable service to our grateful nation.grateful nation.

IT IT Brings the community Brings the community disciplined, disciplined, respected, compassionaterespected, compassionate mentors/leaders. mentors/leaders.

IT is a diverse and dedicated group who IT is a diverse and dedicated group who served and sacrificed - served and sacrificed - earning the rightearning the right to belong.to belong.

The Veterans IT CenterThe Veterans IT Center

ParticipantsParticipants Screened, Screened,

interviewedinterviewed Accepted, testedAccepted, tested Selected, Selected,

referencedreferenced Enrolled, Enrolled,

challengedchallenged Active, engagedActive, engaged

ProfessionalsProfessionals BusinessBusiness ConstructionConstruction EnergyEnergy EducationEducation HealthcareHealthcare

Home Depot National EventHome Depot National Event

Mission:  Train veterans in skills that Mission:  Train veterans in skills that lead to long-term employment duringlead to long-term employment duringa three month program.a three month program.

Goal: Train 24 new veterans every Goal: Train 24 new veterans every 120 days through: 120 days through: Classroom instruction, Classroom instruction, hands on at work sites, and hands on at work sites, and OJT at local business locations. OJT at local business locations.

October 27October 27thth, 2011, 2011

Renewable Energy Training InstituteRenewable Energy Training Institute Home Depot FoundationHome Depot Foundation The Mission ContinuesThe Mission Continues Rebuilding TogetherRebuilding Together Urban MissionUrban Mission Future Without PovertyFuture Without Poverty North City Church of ChristNorth City Church of Christ

424 Volunteer Workers helped~!

Project – Site Plan Project – Site Plan

Throughout the day, volunteers will Throughout the day, volunteers will transform the facility by:transform the facility by: Building a wheelchair rampBuilding a wheelchair ramp Rebuilding a new kitchen and pantryRebuilding a new kitchen and pantry Installing carpet, flooring and window Installing carpet, flooring and window

treatmentstreatments Restructuring bathrooms for wheelchair-bound Restructuring bathrooms for wheelchair-bound

individualsindividuals Installing new fencingInstalling new fencing Constructing a patio area with new landscaping Constructing a patio area with new landscaping

in the front and back of the facilityin the front and back of the facility Installing a flagpole Installing a flagpole

Leaders on this projectLeaders on this project Steven Esparza, District Manager, The Home DepotSteven Esparza, District Manager, The Home Depot Andy Close, Team Depot Captain & Store Manager, The Andy Close, Team Depot Captain & Store Manager, The

Home Depot (St. Louis Store #3002)Home Depot (St. Louis Store #3002) David Ervin, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together – St. David Ervin, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together – St.

LouisLouis Charles E. Boyd, Marine veteran, Founder & Executive Charles E. Boyd, Marine veteran, Founder & Executive

Director, Renewable Energy Training InstituteDirector, Renewable Energy Training Institute Brian Westmoreland, Navy veteran and RETI studentBrian Westmoreland, Navy veteran and RETI student Eric Jones, Army veteran and RETI studentEric Jones, Army veteran and RETI student Josh Eckhoff, U.S. Army veteran and Fellow, The Mission Josh Eckhoff, U.S. Army veteran and Fellow, The Mission

Continues Continues Dr. Kendall Brune, Urban Mission & Future Without PovertyDr. Kendall Brune, Urban Mission & Future Without Poverty Pastor Robert Lawrence, North City Church of ChristPastor Robert Lawrence, North City Church of Christ

Volunteer ParticipantsVolunteer Participants

Where it began & ended~!Where it began & ended~!

No Soldier Left Behind~!No Soldier Left Behind~!

Josh Ekoff, Army retired due to combat injuries

The Veterans IT CenterThe Veterans IT Center

SupportersSupporters Appreciative Appreciative LeadersLeaders

What’s Next?What’s Next?

Ste. Genevieve Veterans Ste. Genevieve Veterans Rehabilitation Ranch – Two working Rehabilitation Ranch – Two working RanchesRanches Focus to implement the 4 E’s of FWOPFocus to implement the 4 E’s of FWOP www.FWOP.orgwww.FWOP.org