Newly employed Army veteran Kelvin King.
When Army veteran Kelvin King visited the Denison Workforce Center on March 18, 2025, he was facing challenges, barriers to employment due to being justice involved, low income, and his disabilities. He was in the VA Compensated Work Therapy program, earning $8.35 an hour. The goal for those in the VA Compensated Work Therapy program is to return to competitive employment. “So he was in the program; but, not a VA employee,” explained TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor and Army veteran Katie Baillio. After King met Baillio at the Workforce Center, it was determined that King would benefit from individualized career services. Baillio placed him on an employment plan and began to assist him with his barriers.
First, she worked with him on completing a functional resume as well as a job application to better enhance his chances of gaining interviews. To help with the financial challenges, Baillio referred King to the local Salvation Army, a recipient of TVC Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants, which provided assistance with paying his utilities bills.
On March 31, King started his new job with Dry Clean City with pay around $11.54 an hour. On her follow-up with King, “He said he was so happy that he was now able to pay his bills on his own due to obtaining employment,” recalled Baillio.
“Katie always goes the extra mile to let veterans know that TVC stands ready and willing to assist them with overcoming barriers and obtaining suitable employment,” said TVC Employment Services District Outreach Coordinator and Army veteran Katasha Gray. “Job well done Katie!”
Get help with your job search from the TVC Veteran Employment Services team. They can be found in 90 locations including 70 American Job Centers across Texas. Find your local office. https://www.twc.texas.gov/directory-workforce-solutions-offices-services
