Navy Veteran Paola Lora was struggling to make ends meet after fulfilling her dream of completing her Bachelor of Fine Art at California State University, Los Angeles.
“I studied art and then decided to get into education” said Paola, who served eight years in the military. “I’m a single mom. It made sense for me to have the same schedule as my children.”
She learned about JVS SoCal’s Veterans First programs through the Women Vets on Point support group. Paola faced a few challenges when she left the Armed Forces, as she struggled to adjust to civilian life. However, she looked for opportunities to help her start a career that would help her family thrive.
With the help of her case manager at JVS SoCal, Paola was able to prepare for and take the California Basic Education State Test (CBEST) which was subsidized by the Call of Duty Endowment, one of our funders. Job search coaches within the program additionally worked with her in improving her resume and performing practice interviews.
She soon landed a substitute teacher role in the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2020. “It was greatly beneficial towards my transition”, says Paola. “Through JVS SoCal I was connected to other veterans and resources that assisted me financially, and most significant of all, provided guidance that really prepared me for the interview that got me hired.”
While substitute teaching, she also interned at the LAUSD Arts Department, which paved the way for her to get a permanent position. Internships are a great way to explore working with an employer or in a new field. Paola went on to become a full-time high school arts teacher and she credits the internship with helping her navigate the LAUSD bureaucracy.
“I love it, I went to school to learn art and I get to do art every day,” says Paola. “I’m happy with what I do for a living.”
Not only did the Veterans First program help her set foot in her new career, but it’s allowing her to dream bigger. “I might in the next couple of years try to teach in community colleges because I have a master’s and then maybe go to teach at a university level. It’s something I would like to try,” said Paola.
The Creative Arts teacher is, to this day, grateful for all the support she received. “JVS SoCal’s Veterans First is a great program for our Veteran community” she says.
If you’d like to help a veteran like Paola turn their passion into a career, please donate now.