Paychecks for Patriots program helps veterans find jobs

Kashif Aris, who obtained employment at Autobahn Imports through the CareerSource Citrus, Levy, Marion Paychecks for Patriots program, works on a vehicle. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

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Posted November 4, 2024 | By Andy Fillmore, andy@ocalagazette.com

Purple Heart recipient Kashif Aris found an ideal employment fit in less than two days through the CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion Paychecks for Patriots program.

Aris, whose military occupations included diesel mechanic, was hired on with Autobahn Imports automotive repair in southwest Marion County in January of this year after he signed up with the veterans’ employment program.

“Autobahn has been almost a second home. The work environment is amazing and so is the staff,” Aris said.

“Aris is excellent. We’re very happy,” said Autobahn Imports owner Seth Becker.

Joe Dorr, a local realtor and Autobahn Imports customer, has an office near the CLM center in Ocala recommended the veterans’ program to Becker.

Henry Ayala, a U.S. Army veteran, is CLM’s local veteran employment representative and is based in the Ocala office.

Aris said Ayala “opened a file and made sort of an induction” with job history and more information. The same day, there was an employer contact and in less than two days I was hired,” Aris said.

Aris, 37, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009 and was soon deployed to Afghanistan, where he suffered a grade three concussion and back injury when his fuel convoy was struck by two IEDs. He said the first explosion was muffled by a mine roller on the front of the 7-ton truck and the second blast was remotely detonated underneath the vehicle. He initially thought that he was not injured.

“My back hurt and I thought it was from carrying my gear,” he said.

Aris’ medical recovery included eight months of rehabilitation.

Aris was living in Fort Lauderdale but in December 2023 decided to move to the Ocala area where he has family. He initially was to transfer to a prearranged job here, but the situation dissolved. He visited Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans and was in turn referred to CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion.

“I recall meeting Marine veteran Kashif Aris, who worked as a mechanic during his service and initially struggled to settle in and adjust to civilian life when he first moved to the area. We were pleased to be able to help him by promptly connecting him with the appropriate organizations for housing assistance and VA compensation support. Most significantly, we were able to put him in touch with the ideal mechanic shop, who agreed to interview him and eventually offered him a position as a mechanic for European automobiles. Knowing that veterans can always count on us when things don’t go as planned is incredibly rewarding and satisfying,” Ayala said.

CareerSource CLM is a workforce program provider supported by the U.S. departments of labor, health and human services and education, and offers services such as job placement and holds career workshops like Paychecks for Patriots job fairs, which will be held Nov. 12 in Citrus County and Nov. 19 at the College of Central Florida’s Klein Center in Ocala.

“Paychecks for Patriots is part of a statewide effort to connect those who served/are serving our country and their families with employers with immediate jobs to fill and who are eager to hire our heroes because they recognize and value the knowledge, skills, and abilities developed during military service,” the CLM website states.

The 2024 Paychecks for Patriots program also will include a free clinic at the CLM Center in Ocala to offer help with resumes, sharpening interview skills and more. Interview outfits will be available from the center’s Clothes Closet at no charge.

SunTran will provide a limited number of free bus token to veterans on a “first come first serve” basis, available at several locations countywide, including the Marion County Veterans Service Office and the Ocala Ritz Veterans Village.

Chris Pozek, an Army veteran whose military job was 91 Bravo, combat medic, operates both Veterans Mobile Repair Service and Trans Max Transmissions on Northeast 36th Avenue in Ocala. He has hired several employees through CLM veteran programs.

Pozek said that employees who are qualified and want to work are “hard to find.” He said the CLM candidates are a pre-selected “best fit” for the particular business and described the CLM counselors as “awesome” and “career coaches.”

Ayala said in an email that veterans have the background to make successful employee team members.

“It’s a win-win: military service creates individuals who work to earn the respect of their peers and understand how to bring people together to pursue strategic, common goals,” he wrote.

“These types of job fairs provide them the opportunity to meet with employer’s face to face to discuss this and certain skills obtained through years of services, which may not necessarily be on a resume,” he stated.

“We owe it to those who were willing in making the ultimate sacrifice for our country to help them now in finding a job,” Ayala wrote.

Paychecks for Patriots: Powered by Hope Florida is presented statewide through a partnership of FloridaCommerce, CareerSource, Hope Florida (which offers connections among the public, private and faith-based communities) and the Florida Department of Veterans Affair.

The local Paychecks for Patriots job fairs are supported by CareerSource CLM, Ocala SunTran, Citrus County Transit and BIVOUAC Veteran News.

Veterans wishing to pre-register for a job fair may go to bit.ly/HiringHeroes24

To learn more, go to careersourceclm.com