Philadelphia Training Program For Struggling Veterans Holds Graduation Ceremony
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A new program that provides internships for formerly homeless veterans has sent its first group of graduates out into the workforce.
This "graduation day" for eight veterans was held Wednesday at PECO headquarters, where spokesman Jeff Gordon says the utility and parent company Exelon provided the funding and support for the Veterans Training and Employment Program internship.
"(It's) a nine-month experience during which the veterans in the program work at least 15 hours a week and receive classroom training to develop the skills needed for success at work and in their lives," he said.
All eight graduates are now gainfully employed.
Walter Broadnax (wearing blue suit in photo), a longtime homeless drug addict who now works in a café in the Art Museum area, says he learned that he can overcome anything.
"The internship gave me a little chance to get back to the work field, learning computers, which I didn't have too many skills of," Broadnax said. "But now I'm working behind the counter again, dealing with the people -- because I was always a people person. I work in an Internet café and I serve people every day, and I love it."
The next class will be formed in September.
Reported by Paul Kurtz, KYW Newsradio 1060
