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A Year in Review…

Over a year ago I began cultivating and developing the concept of a unique organization that would present a program that worked with Veterans to empower them to find gainful employment.  After over 500 hours of research the concept, the business plan and the implementation of the Silhouettes for VETS program began in January of 2014.  What I believed would be a 20-hour a week effort has turned into a full time endeavor that has become the most rewarding work I have ever undertaken.

As I began a call to action for Silhouettes for VETS I had no idea that this concept would be so positively received.  I remember going to my first event at CSUN with homemade business cards, no brochures and only an idea for a website.  Even without any collateral material my initial conversations with veterans made me realize that the need for a one-on-one customized educational and coaching service that empowers Veterans to find employment was in high demand.

There are over 40,000 nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that work with veterans – many of them work to put veterans to work.  There are organizations that prepare resumes, assist with interview techniques, work with veterans in transition and those that offer workshops assisting veterans as they enter the civilian workforce.  Yet I have found that no one organization has developed a one-on-one customize approach to working with veterans through the entire hiring cycle – from transition from the military to the first day of work and beyond. 

Silhouettes for VETS in a unique and customized program that works with veterans to educate, empower and prepare veterans individually for the workforce.

Nonprofit organizations that assist veterans in any manner can only succeed with a passion and a commitment that is unwavering.  The passion and commitment of Silhouettes for VETS has resulted in over 75 Veterans finding gainful employment in the past 10 months.  Our goal will always remain – Increasing Veteran employment…one Veteran at a time!

For the first 10 months, I coached veterans and marketed the services of Silhouettes for VETS.  During this time I collaborated with many of the other nonprofits that work with veterans.  My special thank you to The Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, The Office of the Mayor (Los Angeles) and many of the Work Source Centers (especially Canoga Park) for without your support my coaching successes could not have happened. 

But a special thanks goes to Kelly Logan who is now the Executive Director and Vice President of Silhouettes for VETS.  Her tireless efforts to support veterans through the Los Angeles area is unmatched and without equal.  Her dedication to our veterans along with her creative ideas on how to better assist the veteran community is one of the major reasons for the success of Silhouettes for VETS. 

We are about to enter our second year of working with veterans in a one-on-one customized environment.  I am confident that the seeds we have planted in the past twelve months will enable Silhouettes for VETS to grow into a national organization that will educate, prepare and assist veterans as they seek gainful employment.  It is our goal, with your generous donations (www.silhouettesforvets.org/please-donate) and the award of grants to have Silhouettes for VETS locations in at least 10 cities in the next 18 months.

My heartfelt Thank You to all the Veterans with whom we have worked over the past year, the organizations and educational institutions who have supported our efforts, our passion and the Veterans with whom will be work with over the coming years.

A Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year to Everyone.

 

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Thank you for your service

It has been over 4 decades since I returned from Vietnam. Over 40 Veteran Day’s have past and now I find myself honored by each and every Veteran who has served our Country.

The work of Silhouettes for VETS over the past year has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Though our unique Coaching Program we have helped over 75 Veterans find gainful employment.

As we continue our efforts in educating and coaching veterans and their families in gaining an understanding of how to…”GET A JOB” Silhouettes for VETS will have a dramatic impact in decreasing veteran unemployment throughout the United States.

Silhouettes for VETS is honored to have created partnership with all the organizations that support our Veterans. My thank you to the LA Mayors Office, The Salvation Army, EDD, US Vets and Volunteers of America as your support and efforts has made a difference.

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Edward James Olmos (pictured) with Silhouettes For Vets Mark Brenner

I would also like to thank the companies who have created Veterans hiring initiatives as your organizations hold the keys to offering veterans a career.
For those who individuals support our veterans like Edward James Olmos (pictured), Gary Sinise, James Caan and many others thank you for your continued support.

So to all Veterans from every era – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

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Silhouettes for VETS has been approved!

Silhouettes for VETS has been approved by the IRS as a Tax Exempt Nonprofit 501 (c) (3) Corporation.

The approval allows Silhouettes for VETS to solicit and accept your donations in order that we can better service the Veteran community both in Los Angeles and throughout the United States.

Over the course of the past year Silhouettes for VETS has experienced growth and most importantly success beyond our expectations.  The results are astounding, as our work with over 60 Veterans has resulted in a 75% success rate as Veterans are finding gainful employment.

With the recent addition of Kelly Logan as Silhouettes for VETS Vice President of Operations and Ann Henzgen, Volunteer Coach we can now service more Veterans throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan region.

Silhouettes for VETS has gained national recognition as one of the premier Coaching services for Veterans.  Our one on one customized 10 Module Coaching Program is a one of a kind model that empowers each Veteran to find their “Dream Job”

Your donation will allow us to increase the number of Veterans that we service.  Deceasing the Veteran unemployment rate “…one Veteran at a time”

Please help us by making a donation by clicking the link below.  Or you may send a Personal or Business Check to:

Please help us by making a donation by clicking the link below.


 

Or you may send a Personal or Business Check to:

Silhouettes for VETS
17412 Ventura Blvd., Suite 218
Encino, CA 91316 Thank you for your support!

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Silhouettes For Vets in Las Vegas Review Journal

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Mark Brenner, president and CEO of Silhouettes for VETS Inc., discusses the importance of eradicating misconceptions about PTSD with Kelly Logan, director, Veterans Advocacy Network, Santa Clarita, Calif. Brenner’s West Hills, Calif., organization offers a free program that empowers veterans from transition until they settle into the civilian workplace.

Syndicated Columnist Milred Culp, PhD for the Knoxville New Sentinel, has written an article that appears in the Las Vegas Review Journal (September 15, 2014) that highlights and discusses the great work being done by Silhouettes for VETS. Silhouettes for VETS works with transitioning Veterans as they search for gainful employment by coaching each Veteran in one on one customized sessions so that they can gain a complete understanding of the hiring cycle – in other words “…how to get a job…

To read the entire article online go to Las Vegas Review Journal Click here

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Charter College Veterans Day Event

On August 21, 2014 Charter College held a Veterans Day Event at Robinson Ranch Golf Course, Santa Clarity, CA.

The purpose of the event was to bring together Companies with Veteran hiring initiatives, Veteran Services companies and of course our Veterans. Over 50 companies and non-profit service organizations attended this very successful event.

IMG950445_smSilhouettes for VETS was honored to be asked to give a presentation to Veterans who are searching for gainful employment. Along with Kelly Logan, Business Development Manager for Volunteers of America , we presented an overview of all steps required in preparing for the workforce. There were 100’s of Veterans present at the event who are looking for their first position or a new job.

Mina Creswell of Charter College and Mark Brenner

Although there was no golf that day the day was an unparalleled success. The feedback I received from the Veterans was complimentary and shows the necessity of all of us working to make sure that our Veterans not only transition from Military to Civilian life but that they have the guidance of companies to ensure that they find gainful employment (Companies like Silhouettes for VETS).

charter_certThere many events that take place almost weekly throughout the Greater Los Angeles area that support Veterans as they search for a position. Silhouettes for VETS has been a part of many of these Career events knowing that we are make a difference – having Veterans find a career…one Veterans at a time.

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8th Annual MVAT Golf and Tennis Classic presented by Liberty Mutual

8th Annual MVAT Golf and Tennis Classic presented by Liberty Mutual at Mountain Gate Country Club on August 18, 2014 – in support of Wounded Warriors

What a day!

photo1Of course if was a great day for golf (isn’t that every day), but playing in this Tournament was a little more than icing on a cake.

The MVAT Foundation, headed by Don Schwarz (Chairman) and James Colbert (Executive Director) out did themselves by putting on an event that has no equals. My thanks to both Don and James for a day that forever will be remembered.

The MVAT (Military and Veterans Appreciation Trust) Foundation exists to help and honor those who have protected and currently protect the freedoms we all enjoy. MVAT was founded in 2007 by several members of the Mountain Gate Country Club, Los Angeles, California, who strongly believe that our service members and veterans need greater support than they receive from current underfunded programs.

There are 73 living Congressional of Medal Honor recipients. The MVAT Foundation was able to have 6 of these hero’s present at the event.

IMG_0431shIt was an honor and pleasure to meet:

General Patrick Brady
Colonel Jack Jacobs
Captain Robert Modrzejewski
Lieutenant Thomas G. Kelly
Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell
(pictured with Mark Brenner)
Specialist Salvatore A. Guinta

It was also an honor to meet a few of our Wounded Warriors, several retired General Officers and law enforcement leaders who participated in the event. I can think of no better way in which to support all those who have valiantly served our country. This Monday event was kicked off by comments from Don Schwarz and a most special guest, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). Thank you Senator Graham for your participation and your support. I can honestly say the golf was great (albeit we did not win) but the entire day was a testimonial to all those who have served to protect our country.

Soccer and Fashion Play Ball
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Soccer and Fashion Play Ball

With the World Cup finally upon us, soccer seems to have made its way into just about every aspect of our daily lives.

For some, like stylist and editor in chief of German fashion magazineAchtung, Markus Ebner, that’s nothing new. For him, as for many fans of the game from around the world, soccer is part of life, whether it’s a World Cup year or not. Ebner is the founder of Sepp Football Fashion, a magazine that finds creative, visually compelling ways to pair fashion with soccer (and includes among its contributors Style.com editor in chief Dirk Standen, who has written an essay on the stylistic choices of football coaches). Here’s an exclusive look at issue No. 8 of Sepp, and our chat with Ebner about sport, style, and the most exciting thing about this year’s World Cup.

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INSIDE – Trailer

Toronto’s burgeoning independent gaming scene has dished out a number of unique releases over the past few years, but Queasy Games’ latest musical platformer for the PlayStation Network sets a new standard.

When Queasy Games’ Jonathan Mak first decided to team up with artist and co-developer Shaw-Han Liem in 2008, little did they know their collaboration would gradually evolve into a full-fledged video game for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Back then, Mak had just developed his successful Everyday Shooter project, while Liem was busy producing and performing electronic music under the name I Am Robot and Proud. The duo began working on an audio visualizer for use at live concerts and, with music as their common interest (and with the help of a government grant), they eventually developed the next big experience in Toronto indie gaming.

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The Queen of Scream
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The Queen of Scream

When Courtney Love calls you, you answer. We did exactly that recently, when Love—who’s been touring in Europe to promote her new scream-o-heavy, double A-sides, “You Know My Name” and “Wedding Day”—called us from her Nottingham hotel in the U.K. Our chat (which lasted for more than an hour) with the enthusiastic, focused, and seemingly very happy Love covered topics such as her getting back into acting; being Riccardo Tisci’s first muse; the hopeful Hole reunion; her absolute loathing of flower crowns; being Net-a-Porter’s number one client; why she ditched her “social media friend” Miley Cyrus’ recent party; and, of course, her cheese addiction. Above all, it seems, Love is set on a comeback. With her slew of forthcoming projects, the self-proclaimed “grande dame of rock” is looking to reclaim the throne.

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Special Picks for June
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Special Picks for June

And now that at the proper time and place, after so long and wide a preliminary cruise, Ahab,—all other whaling waters swept—seemed to have chased his foe into an ocean-fold, to slay him the more securely there; now, that he found himself hard by the very latitude and longitude where his tormenting wound had been inflicted; now that a vessel had been spoken which on the very day preceding had actually encountered Moby Dick;—and now that all his successive meetings with various ships contrastingly concurred to show the demoniac indifference with which the white whale tore his hunters, whether sinning or sinned against; now it was that there lurked a something in the old man’s eyes, which it was hardly sufferable for feeble souls to see. As the unsetting polar star, which through the livelong, arctic, six months’ night sustains its piercing, steady, central gaze; so Ahab’s purpose now fixedly gleamed down upon the constant midnight of the gloomy crew. It domineered above them so, that all their bodings, doubts, misgivings, fears, were fain to hide beneath their souls, and not sprout forth a single spear or leaf.

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