Our Mission
To become exceptional VA employees and students in order to develop work and academic skills that will support our individual goals.
Our History
Truman Memorial VA and Frederick Douglass High School initiated their “industry-based” partnership program in August 1998. A classroom was equipped, an instructor was assigned and students were recruited. The basic program calls for each student to spend three hours per day in the classroom and three hours per day in a paid job within the hospital.
When asked about the program, Stephen Gaither from the VA Public Affairs office stated, “The VA got involved with this program because it was an opportunity to get more involved with the community, for students to serve the Veterans, and for young teens to get adult experience on jobs for their future career.”
Some things have changed since the program started in 1998. When the program first started, the classroom was on the second floor. Also, some jobs have changed since then. There were front desk jobs such as checking in patients and assistant medical workers. However, those jobs were removed from the program because of required background checks for students under eighteen. Currently, VA Bulldog students are placed in Recreational Therapy, Sterile Processing, Food Service, Logistics, and Housekeeping.
Over the past fourteen years, the VA Bulldog Program has continued to have a positive impact on students and the VA. “The program has worked out and been very successful; the VA benefits the students and it also helps the VA community,” Stephen Gaither.
written by Agedria Kelly
When asked about the program, Stephen Gaither from the VA Public Affairs office stated, “The VA got involved with this program because it was an opportunity to get more involved with the community, for students to serve the Veterans, and for young teens to get adult experience on jobs for their future career.”
Some things have changed since the program started in 1998. When the program first started, the classroom was on the second floor. Also, some jobs have changed since then. There were front desk jobs such as checking in patients and assistant medical workers. However, those jobs were removed from the program because of required background checks for students under eighteen. Currently, VA Bulldog students are placed in Recreational Therapy, Sterile Processing, Food Service, Logistics, and Housekeeping.
Over the past fourteen years, the VA Bulldog Program has continued to have a positive impact on students and the VA. “The program has worked out and been very successful; the VA benefits the students and it also helps the VA community,” Stephen Gaither.
written by Agedria Kelly
VA Bulldogs 2013