The OJRV Difference
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
– A.A. Milne
Our Commitment
OJRV stands by our belief that if you have worn the uniform, you have earned our support and assistance. Our OJRV Employment Transition Managers in each of our locations serve veterans from all eras and branches of service.
In addition, we provide our services to military spouses, caregivers, and military dependents. We understand that while an individual takes an oath to serve, his or her family is impacted and sacrifices right alongside their military-connected loved one. This focus on the entire military family is unique in the veteran employment space.
Our Program Is Unique
There are a number of organizations dedicated to helping veterans, and each serves a specific role and meets a particular need in the military community. OJRV is uniquely positioned to meet transitioning service members, veterans, and military family members at their point of need regardless of branch of service or era. OJRV fills an important transitional gap while addressing the veteran community need with our services.
Women Veterans Initiative
Through providing veteran transition supportive services and resources through education, women veterans are more likely to experience long-term success and satisfying careers because of conscientious support throughout their educational transition. In October 2021, OJRV marked a renewed focus on our Women Veterans Initiative, which aims to promote education, sustainable employment, and enhanced fellowship amongst the two million living women veterans who comprise almost 10% of the total veteran population. This bridge, constructed from a strong academic experience, further builds consistent, career-minded employees capable of being strong, foundational leaders in the workforce.
OJRV bridges the gap between veterans transitioning into educational settings and beyond through collaborations with Indiana University, Purdue Global/Focus Forward, and the VA Medical Center (Dr. Christie Lodics), with our capacity being more of a supportive role. OJRV Regional Director, Central Operations Kim Dart researches opportunities for OJRV to assist the local Indianapolis community, including providing space to host events and distribute donations for food and other necessary items.
The supportive role for Dr. Lodics and the VA Medical Center will primarily be providing physical space and food donations for their tentative events. OJRV assists Dr. Lodics with ensuring the attendees are comfortable and able to be engaged during her presentations.
Kim Dart also researches organizations, within Marion and surrounding counties, that seek to assist women veterans dealing with various aspects of transition and look to be a referral resource for challenges outside of job readiness/employment assistance.
OJRV’s Women Veterans Initiative Impact
- OJRV Employment Transition Manager Jordan Hopkins and OJRV Regional Director, Central Operations Kim Dart conducted a virtual workshop on July 31, 2024 with Purdue Global for the IU/Purdue Global/Focus Forward Fellowship. The pair presented to roughly 50 students regarding how to brand themselves on social media, on their resume, and in social settings. OJRV is looking to increase its ability to present workshops to their students, most likely in more of a virtual setting with a few of OJRV’s Employment Transition Managers. OJRV’s intent in this effort is to increase clientele by encouraging students to allow OJRV to assist them with resume writing, job readiness, and employment searching.
- With assistance from current OJRV Board Members Dr. Christie Lodics and Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, PhD, OJRV hosted a women veterans focus group at OJRV headquarters on September 18, 2024. This event was open to women veterans around Indianapolis and sought to gather some critical feedback on how the Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) could improve healthcare experiences and to share information on how to pursue employment within the Department of Veterans Affairs. OJRV Regional Director, Central Operations Kim Dart coordinated this event, which included lunch and refreshments. After capturing some key action items following a brief update on recent changes within the VA medical system, the group networked and resolved to meet again in six months.