UConn Today – Keri Yonika, an occupational therapist and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, has both the knowledge and passion to help young children get a good start in life.
She loves her work with neurodivergent pre-schoolers, but not the constant pressure to see more clients. Yonika dreams of owning her own practice and running it with a client-centered approach.
Next Avenue – Career transitions are hard for everyone, but the shift from military to civilian life can be particularly challenging. Soldiers coming back from the Vietnam War were too often treated as damaged goods by employers, according to research by Alair MacLean, sociology professor at Washington State University, it remains to be seen how welcoming employers will be to service members returning from the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — especially those in the second half of life.
UConn Today – United States Marine Corps veteran Tony Audette builds custom motorcycles for celebrities, business titans, and other enthusiasts who want a bike that’s unlike any other. His exclusive motorcycles sell for upwards of $130,000.
After two years in business, Audette Motorcycles, in Canton, is thriving. Audette credits much of his business knowledge and expertise to the School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV). The startup accelerator steered him away from several costly business mistakes, he said.
The Ridgefield Press– The Ridgefield Rotary Club’s Fly The Colors program has grown to include donations from more than 500 residents.
The most recent campaign saw the Rotary make a donation of $18,000 to the UConn Foundation to support the experiential training in entrepreneurship for post-9/11 veterans with disabilities.
Hartford Business Journal – While U.S. Marine Gulaid Ismail was serving in Iraq last decade two of his friends committed suicide. Later, Ismail suffered a nervous breakdown and was honorably discharged. If it weren’t for Davina Ismail, his wife and caregiver, he said he’d be in jail or in a grave.
“She gave me purpose to live,” Gulaid Ismail said.
Associated Press – Newman’s Own Foundation, founded by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, honored Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole for their commitment to public service and especially their devoted leadership and support of veterans. An announcement was made at a special reception held in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC and attended by members of Congress, veterans, and organizations supporting veterans.
Mainebiz – A Farmingdale-based startup is bringing infusion services to rural locations and smaller health-care facilities to spare patients the hassle and extra cost of having to travel far from home.
The Virginian Pilot – The Iraqi 5th Battalion and its sister units were integral to proving that the U.S. could turn over the security of Iraq to a reconstituted national army, and in 2005 begin a long-promised withdrawal.