TO ALL LOCAL MILITARY, VETERANS, AND THEIR SPOUSES: This facility is a hidden treasure in Norfolk. This Center is located on the second floor of the building – conveniently located next to Costco 🙂 You walk in and are immediately greeted by a manned desk, an open office area with tables, available computers and internet for working, and a room full of brochures and business cards. (P.S. There are personnel with full-time offices around the edge of the room there to assist you – such as a Tricare representative!) I was welcomed in, and I let them know it was my first time visiting. I was asked to fill out an Entry Form via a tablet (high tech!) and then discussed what I was looking for today. This was simple and quick. The main reason I found this place was because I was meeting the Hampton Roads Representative for Onward to Opportunity (a nonprofit that pays for certifications) and was looking forward to discussion regarding what might work best for my goals and timeline. Gerald, the gentleman who helped me when I walked in, was friendly and professional – clearly enthusiastic and listened to what I was looking for. He sat down with me for about 20 minutes and went over some of the upcoming local events and local resources that HRVEC is highlighting right now. A few stapled flyers included in a nice portfolio! I’m avidly looking for chances to network and he had quite a few suggestions, including an upcoming event in September being hosted at a local brewery! HRVEC’s four pillars include something for every path of success: – Employment – Entrepreneurship – HERO (Housing/Empowerment/Resiliency/ Opportunity) – Education/Skillbridge/Apprenticeship. I was here for less than an hour and feel incredibly empowered in my transition – and looking forward to returning with some of my other transitioning sailors seeking help! If you’re on sea duty and time is tight during the week – be sure to stop by on a lunchbreak or something. It’s worth it. Walk-ins are VERY welcome and it’s only 15 min from Norfolk Naval Base.

The Veterans Employment Center is a Godsend; amazing staff, willing and able to help with finding employment, workshops, career fairs, etc. Getting connected with the center is like connecting with the workforce for the entire region too, because it’s a part of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, which is the premier workforce development organization for all of eastern Virginia, with connections and networking in hundreds of employers and education providers. Can’t recommend highly enough!

The veterans employment manager was very rude and unaware of constitutionally protected rights and closed the office to certain individuals. In the processes of this the office impeded everyday citizens from getting the service. This place needs more training on how to handle the public and the rights of its citizens.