The Worklife Institute has initiated its new Reentry and Worklife Transition Program for OEF/OIF, to serve military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. The program is supported by a $96,500 TRIAD Fund (Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment) grant from the San Antonio Area Foundation, and all services will be provided free of charge.

The Worklife Institute Resource Center is a place of hospitality where returning service members and their families can take advantage of the program's components: Career Transition, Family Counseling, Legal Services and Work Orientation seminars and other workshops. The Center will also provide a comfortable place to relax, meet with others, use the library materials and computers and do personal work.

Specific services provided include the following: job search and education counseling, personal and marriage and family counseling, parenting education, family and divorce mediation, discounted legal services in civil and family matters, work orientation seminars that include stress management, adapting to new workplace, safety and health on the job, financial and debt management, career change and other needs that may be identified. All services will be free of charge to military personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members; service members and Vets should bring with them their DD Form 214 to verify deployment.

"The Worklife Institute is coordinating its programs with the City of Houston's Office of Veterans Affairs, the VA and Vets Centers, United Way's 211 service, the Mental Health Association and other community agencies to provide these valuable and much needed services for our returning veterans in the greater Houston area," stated Dr. Diana C. Dale, Institute Director. "We are proud to be able to serve those who have given so much to our Country and who now need our help in their transition to civilian life."

The Resource Center, located just west of the Galleria at 1900 St. James Place, Suite 880, is handicap accessible, offers free covered parking and is on bus routes. The Center is open Monday - Friday, with Saturday appointments as well, and welcomes walk-ins and inquiries by telephone and email. "We are excited about this opportunity to serve our community and to continue to expand our services for returning service people and families," concluded Dale.