Originally published: 2024-02-25T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.
Across the corridors of West Palm Beach VA, the spirit of service resonates strongly in the story shared by Navy Veteran Stacy Jeanbart and Army Veteran Carlos Carrió Atfucci, pictured above.
Jeanbart’s transition from her role in the service to a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist makes her a valuable asset to Veterans like Atfucci, who found himself navigating the turbulent waters of civilian life post-service.
As a single father and Veteran grappling with the aftermath of divorce, his challenges were not just about securing employment but also finding stability and purpose for his family.
VA’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program was a crucial turning point for Atfucci. Jeanbart helped him to refine his skills and adapt his military experience for federal employment, leading him to fulfilling a promising role in prosthetics.
“She was there for me as a friend and colleague.”
Atfucci’s journey, from the depths of personal hardship to his role as a prosthetics secretary, underlines the transformative power found within VA programs and the individuals who support to make it possible. “She was there for me as a friend and colleague,” he said.
Jeanbart’s philosophy, “We are here for you,” is a promise of support and solidarity for Veterans. Whatever a fellow Veteran’s concern is, she takes it upon herself to let them know there’s someone who cares. “In this instance, it is me,” she said. “Whether my Veteran gets a job that’s $15.00 an hour or they get a job that pays $100,000 a year, I’m celebrating like I got the job, too, because we’re a team.”
The program is that soft place for Veterans to land who are finding it hard to get back on their feet, Atfucci said, with an understanding of having nowhere else to turn. “Do not be afraid to ask for help. Talk about your issues both medical and personal with your primary care provider. If I did not talk to my provider, I would not have known about the CWT program,” he said.
As one who understands the transition to civilian life, Jeanbart is that second chance for Veterans to trade in their combat boots for loafers. “Everybody who walks into the office, I always try to explain that, yes, you are a patient but you are also family because we are all Veterans here and we are not going to leave you alone during a war—especially during battles that we are all too familiar with and faced.”
Learn about the Compensated Work Therapy program.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.
