FDU Program Launches Veterans Into Business [AUDIO]

Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship is responding to a problem of the lack of jobs awaiting war Veterans as they turn to civilian life with a unique program.

Tell us What's So Great About The Garden State using the form at the end of this story.

It is called Veterans Launching Ventures, which is a year-long program aimed to help Veterans start or expand a business, with a blending of 10 weeks of instruction followed by mentoring from entrepreneurs. It is also has the convenience factor of online classes.

Volunteer Coordinator John Howlett says what sets the program apart "is that combination of classroom instruction, coupled with the fact that they had the mentoring, which is the real-life experience."

Veterans Launching Ventures is free of charge to Veterans, completely underwritten by by corporate sponsors.

Howlett says this combination curriculum is designed to provide the Veterans with the skills and resources to help launch or expand a business, especially the mentoring.

"It gives the entrepreneur a sounding board. The mentor serves as a sounding board to them," he explained.

Many of the instructors are also Vets, which has led to special bonds being formed along the way. Howlett estimates that over 100 Veterans have gone through the program.

"Our objective is to enable as many veterans as possible to launch their own business programs."

You can learn more about the program online.

More Good News

Literacy Volunteers of Burlington County

The Literacy Volunteers of Burlington County is looking for volunteers to help adults improve their reading skills.  The program offers free one on one tutoring to low literacy adults throughout Burlington County.   For more information, call 609-877-5566.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet Fever, a store in New Brunswick that sells Rutgers University related merchandise, is raising money for The Eric LeGrand Foundation by selling shirts.  LeGrand is a Rutgers football player who was paralyzed during a game in 2010.  The shirts sell for $15.00, with all proceeds going directly to the foundation.  Shirts can be purchased online.