Boots2Roots (B2R) is a local, non-profit organization which helps newly retiring military personnel navigate the many challenges of adjusting to civilian life by helping them find good jobs and put down roots here in Maine.
The organization was founded in 2016 by Air Force veteran, and visionary Mainer, Dave Hickey. In an aging State like Maine, Boots2Roots’ mission represents a win-win situation for us all.
B2R begins working with military members a year or more before they transition out. Its services are free for participating veterans and for any company in Maine who employs them.
Army veteran, Colonel Bill Benson is the Executive Director of Boots2Roots. He explained, “We serve as a pipeline, matching skills sets to job offerings with Maine companies who need dedicated, well qualified workers. B2R also helps the spouse find work, if needed, because that is just as important for a good transition for the retirees.”
Photo credit: Boots2Roots Gorham resident Bill Benson, Army veteran was honored by Maine Magazine as a “Mainer of the Year” in Business for his work with Boots2Roots which helps military Vets find work in Maine.Benson knows this transition process first-hand. He and his wife, Tara and their 3 children settled in Gorham in 2014 when Benson retired after serving 24 years, including 42 months in active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. After successfully running a family business in Gorham, they sold it and Tara now works as a nurse in a local hospital and the kids are old enough to begin filling entry level jobs in the community.
Benson was recently named one of Maine Magazine’s “Mainers of The Year” in the Business category for his leadership in Boots2Roots. Benson said, “Military veterans can bring great talents to help Maine’s workforce. We have helped 181 find work in Maine with 60 more committed to moving to Maine so far this year. About 56% of them are not from Maine.”
Each veteran is matched with a mentor who has already made the military to civilian transition. With support from other Maine community members like Live and Work in Maine, veterans find housing, and receive peer support in many areas throughout their first year. Boots2Roots goals are to help veterans find meaningful employment within two months of arriving in Maine and to remain in their first post-military job for at least one year.
Boots2Roots is supported with the commitment of several large Maine employers. These 5 Star Partners include General Dynamics/Bath Ironworks, Central Maine Power, Nichols Portland, System Engineering, Dead River, MEMIC, and FMI Aerosystems.
Matt Harmon, Senior Vice President of Claims at MEMIC, a 5 Star Partner, also serves on the Board of Boots2Roots, whose members represent a 50/50 mix of Military and Non Military backgrounds. Harmon said, “Boots2Roots works really well to expand the talent pipeline for employers as well as for the transitioning veterans and their families, who can be resettled and up and working at a new job within 2 months of leaving the Military.” He added, “These veterans have strong skill sets and an incredibly high 93% retention rate at the end of one year of employment, which is great for the Maine employers in today’s competitive labor market.”
Boots2Roots can be reached at www.boots2roots.org or at 207-329-5077.