Success Statements


Natalie H.
Illinois, August 2025
“The biggest challenge I faced after leaving the military was stepping into civilian life and trying to find my place in a completely new world. I had never held a civilian job before, and the response I received from employers was not at all what I expected.
The support I received made all the difference. Through Operation: Job Ready Veterans (OJRV), I was connected with coaching and a job lead for a company called Help at Home. Before meeting Ms. Kristal, home care was the last career I imagined myself in. But after talking with her, I decided to call about the position—and I was offered an interview right away. Today, I truly love my job and the work I do with my client. In fact, there are times I feel like I need the job more than they need me. I am incredibly grateful.
I’m still employed and happy in my role. Because of this opportunity, I now have the earning power to live in a better neighborhood, my children are in great schools, and I finally have peace of mind. I’m especially thankful for Ms. Kristal’s patience and encouragement. She showed me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, even if it’s something I’ve never done before.
After many years in the military, I wasn’t sure where to go next, but thanks to OJRV, what could have been a difficult and uncertain transition turned into a positive experience. As Winston Churchill once said, ‘Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.’”