Star
of CBS hit series "Joan of Arcadia" also appointed
Chairman
of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
Joe
Mantegna, award-winning stage, movie and television
actor, will serve as New Directions' spokesperson. "In
a year where I've been appointed chairman of the National
Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, it's only fitting that
I would want to lend my supoort to an organization such
as New Directions.It
is a model for like organizations everywhere," shared
Mantegna.
Mantegna,
who currently stars in the CBS Emmy-nominated hit series
Joan of Arcadia, has five uncles, each one a World
War II veteran. "I know first-hand of the emotional
toll that military service can exact on a veteran and his
or her family. This organization exemplifies the good work
a dedicated group of individuals can accomplish, even within
the constraints of little government funding, and the need
to be self-sufficient."
National
Coalition
Says
Practice Makes
NDI
Best!
New
Directions' vocational program has been designated as a
"Best Practices" by the National Coalition of
Homeless Veterans for its Department of Labor Homeless Veteran
Reintegration Program. This distinction was given because
of the program's job training at the Veterans
Village Diner,
its catering
and
handiworkers businesses, and because of the overall program
which encompasses remedial education, vocational assessment,
computer classes, and job training and placement.
Under
the direction of Executive
Chef Sahina Dizon and
Certified Culinary instructors from Los Angeles Trade Technical
College, qualified residents receive 720 hours of certified
culinary training. These classes teach the resident a new
trade and gives them an opportunity to pursue a career in
the food service industry. Recent grads have been placed
at The Aquarium of the Pacific, Patina Group, Loyola Marymount
University and Amtrak.