Continued Support for Our Veteran Scholars and Inspiration From Willis Reed

Veterans Day honors the brave individuals who have served our country in the armed forces. It is because of people like Willis Reed, one of our recent graduates, whose courage and selflessness paved the way for others to make a life for themselves and find their purpose in our nation. His experience has set an example for others in the community while helping him transform into the most excellent version of himself through education. While we aim to support all individuals in our community, Great Jobs KC’s dedication to our Veteran Community continues to grow even further after receiving a first-of-its-kind matched grant worth up to $500,000 to support Veteran families transitioning from military service. This grant was awarded to 13 organizations and helps provide the support and resources Veteran families need to succeed in this new chapter of life.

On March 3, 1995, Willis Reed joined the US Army to follow in his uncle’s footsteps. Serving over 30 Years, Issac Nelson inspired Willis even though their visits were few and far between. While his uncle was one of the main reasons for his joining, Willis knew this experience would help him grow into the strong young man he wanted to be, be able to earn money to be the first in his family to receive schooling and set an example for his younger brothers so they could see you can achieve anything you set your mind too. Willis reflects on what this experience has meant to him, “Being in the military has taught me discipline, attention to detail, finishing anything I start, and being a team leader, all of which help me in my current driver career as I work solo and have to troubleshoot,”. To Willis, being a Veteran means honor and loyalty. This experience has made him who he is today and has shown him that he can see things to the end. Willis will forever be grateful to have finished all his years in the Army, received his honorable discharge, and begun his next chapter in life.

Willis Reed graduated from the Great Jobs KC Training Program, earning his Certified Driver License (CDL) training certificate. Willis works at Freedom Transportation, INC., a local Veteran-owned business based in Olathe, Kansas, where he can use his CDL certification daily. Freedom Transportation is an Amazon Freight partner company, and Willis has been employed here since March 2024. Reflecting on his experience so far, Willis has experienced valuable driving experience under the owner’s guidance, which has allowed him to learn how to drive various styles of trucks and further his understanding of this career field. Willis reflects that the most rewarding attribute of this job is being able to operate his day-to-day routes on his own to ensure he is working safely and in a timely and efficient manner.

Being employed by another Veteran is unique to Willis. Willis first met Dan when he began his driving career with his box truck before joining Great Jobs KC. He finds a natural camaraderie that brings them closer together, knowing he can depend on him for various needs. This shared experience has helped their bond remain strong, even if they don’t see each other on day-to-day work. With a background in the Army, Willis’ values have been shaped by his experiences, which Dan can relate to. Willis shares how this experience has instilled a high level of discipline while also picking up skills to help him manage daily issues or roadblocks. Having a shared understanding of each other’s experiences has proven beneficial for Willis’ daily work, as Dan appreciates it when he finishes his job effectively and safely.

While working with Great Jobs KC, Willis found the resources available extremely beneficial. He reflects on the people who were part of his process and how they helped him navigate and complete his program. Willis has shared his experience with Great Jobs KC with a few Veterans he knows personally, as he found his program to be an excellent resource to help Veterans begin their next phase of life. Even though Willis’ program has ended, his story with Great Jobs KC has not, and he continues to be a face other Veterans can relate to and see that our programs can also impact their lives.

 Though our staff is a significant reason our Scholars feel supported, we are thrilled that our newest grant allows us to offer more beneficial resources to our Veterans and their families. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded Great Jobs KC a grant that provides employee-based resources and tools to support recently separated Armed Forces members and their spouses. This grant will help eliminate barriers to employment and increase economic opportunities through resources such as improved transition assistance support for spouses, our Kansas City community, and, more specifically, the Veterans and military families in our city. Are you a Veteran ready to have the same experience as Willis? Visit our website and learn how we can help you start your next chapter in life.