American Corporate Partners—Helping Service Members Transition to Civilian Life

American Corporate Partners—Helping Service Members Transition to Civilian Life

By Dawn Swartz-Gay, Marine/USAF (Retired), Matthew Patton Foundation

Less than 1% of the American Population will ever serve their country. Transitioning from military life to civilian can be challenging and Veterans are finding there is little help in the transition for themselves and their spouses.

American Corporate Partners (ACP) was founded in 2008 by Sidney E. Goodfriend. Mr. Goodfriend, a former investment banker, was mentored throughout his career. He saw a need for Veterans to be partnered with mentors and organizations interested in using their unique skillset in the civilian business world. Hence, ACP strives to make sure the training and skill obtained in the military transfers to the civilian sector.

A national nonprofit organization, ACPs mission is “helping returning Veterans and Active duty spouses find their next careers” through career guidance, mentoring, and finding employment opportunities. This ensures Veterans and their spouses, who stood by them throughout their service, develop long-term goals and careers.

Courtesy of American Corporate Partners (https://www.acp-usa.org/)
 

ACP pulls Mentors from Fortune 500 companies throughout America to offer a 1:1 mentor/protégé experience. Each protégé is connected to a mentor who will personalize a pathway to success for the Veteran or his/her spouse. Mentorship is a multi-faceted program including:
 

• Resumé preparation
• Interview preparation
• Career exploration
• Career advancement
• Work-life balance
• Networking
• Developing small businesses
• Leadership and professional communication
   

America’s military members bring unique skillsets to the civilian sector, so by partnering Veterans with corporate mentors ACP is able to capitalize on protégé skills and find them a career that will carry them into the next chapter of their lives.
 

Each mentor is hand-picked to ensure career compatibility and experience. The protégé’s personal interests and desired geographic locale are taken into consideration. The mentor/protégé relationship provides a year long service with lifetime benefits. Here are testimonials that indicate how satisfied ACP’s customers are with the program:

• “ACP guided me through the next steps in my career after the Marine Corps.” – U.S. Marine Veteran.
• “ACP introduced me to professionals I never would have met otherwise.” – U.S. Air force Veteran.
• “ACP helped me translate my skills following my retirement.” – U.S. Coast Guard Veteran.

ACP’s initial goal was corporate mentoring for Veterans, but now they have expanded into other areas to include:

• Women’s Veteran Mentoring Program
• ACPs Active Duty Spouse Program (connects spouses connect with business leaders). ACP is now accepting applications for Active Duty military spouses.
• ACP AdvisorNet (an online career Q&A community for networking and advice) https://acp-advisornet.org/

Courtesy of American Corporate Partners (https://www.acp-usa.org/)

If you are a Veteran or Active Duty spouse, or a corporate leader interested in mentoring, please reach out to ACP and see if they are able to help you find the perfect career as you transition back into civilian life. Additional information on ACP can be found at https://www.acp-usa.org/

ACP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works via donations; 96% of your donations go directly to training Veterans and Spouses to work in the civilian world. Here are the ways you can donate:

• Sponsor a transitioning Veteran. Every $1,000 enables another Veteran to receive a full year of mentorship. 
• Give though the 11:11:11 Brigade monthly giving society by investing $33 a month.
• Give through the Cornerstone Society which for $84 per month provides a full mentorship between a protégé and Citizens Program Mentor.