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May 9, 2009 (Escondido)--The independent arts organization contACT ARTS (formerly xDrop Arts Organization) is sponsoring The Harvest Project, a benefit event to help Archi’s Acres organic farm build a new greenhouse to serve more combat veterans in its Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program. The event is on Sunday, May 17 from 1 – 6 pm at the World Beat Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park. (Photo: Ex-Navy Lt. Olaf Hansen tends hydroponic basil at Archi's Acres.)
The Harvest Project event will feature a diverse range of art, dance and music performance from international artists and performers. It will take place in San Diego’s World Beat Center in Balboa Park. The Harvest Project is made possible by the generous support of contACT ARTS with support from V.E.T.S. (Veterans Educational Training Services) and the World Beat Center. Closer to the event, VIP special guests and the contributions of organizations donating food, beverages and items for raffles and a silent auction will be announced. The suggested donation is $100/person. The discount for veterans and a guest is 50%.
For more information about the Sponsor a Veteran Program call 800.933.5234. Donations to attend the event are 100% tax deductible and all funds raised will be used to help build VSAT’s next greenhouse to serve more combat veterans. To RSVP or for more information go here http://archisacres.com/events.html. For media coverage of Archi’s VSAT go here http://archisacres.com/media.html.
The Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) Wellness and Vocational Enrichment (WAVE) Clinic provides work site opportunities to veterans through the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT)/Veterans Industries (VI) program. This program allows veteran participants an opportunity to work in different industries in order to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to venture out and find employment. Both VA and community-based work sites have given our veteran population great opportunities to address a number of employment barriers in safe, secure, and therapeutic environments.
Nationally, Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation program that endeavors to match and support work ready veterans in competitive jobs, and to consult with business and industry regarding their specific employment needs. Using a business model, CWT program staff specialize in working with facility management, human resources, and/or production personnel to address labor force deficits. Over the years CWT veterans have been successfully employed in various competitive positions including health care, information technology, manufacturing, warehousing, construction trades, clerical and office support, retail and the services delivery. In some locations CWT is also known as Veterans Industries; these designations are synonymous.
From over 166 locations throughout the country CWT programs strive to maintain highly responsive long term quality relationships with business and industry promoting employment opportunities for veterans with physical and mental disabilities. Professional CWT staff provides state of the art vocational rehabilitation services; job matching and employment supports, case management, work site and job analysis, consultation regarding assistive technology, reasonable accommodation, and guidance in addressing ADA regulations compliance. Many of our individual programs are CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited and are members of USPRA (US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association). Typically CWT programs are located within VA medical centers in most large metropolitan areas and many smaller communities.
This Internet Web site (http://www1.va.gov/vetind ) offers an overview of the Compensated Work Therapy program. CWT provides a wide range of services for industry including; work site and job assessment, staff training and consultation services, employee assessment and screening, and job matching and follow-up services. CWT supports veterans through vocational case management and workplace supports to facilitate continued employment success. In conjunction with the CWT program, industry is able to expand its work ready applicant pool and develop a pre-screening opportunity for future employees.
Archi’s Acres, Inc. is a small-scale organic farm in San Diego that produces highly nutritious certified organic products using a fraction of the labor, growing time and water required by traditional farming methods. It is the home of Archi’s Acres Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT), a training program for returning veterans. The program is a cooperative effort of Archi’s Acres and the San Diego Veterans Affairs Healthcare System’s Compensated Work Therapy/Veterans Industries (CWT/VI) program. Started by Sergeant Colin Archipley, a former Marine who served three tours of duty in Iraq, and his wife Karen, VSAT is the first organic farm training program started by a veteran to serve veterans. VSAT has been successful in supporting returning veterans’ transition back into the private sector through professional training in sustainable agriculture and job placement services.
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