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The G.I. Go Fund
Where Veterans Go Forward
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G.I. Go Fund, Mayor Cory Booker look to make 2012 the Year of the Veteran
As Troops Return Home From Iraq, G.I. Go Fund Continues Fight to Help Veterans
Article by James Fanous
When Alex Pino returned home from his last deployment to Iraq in 2008, after having served his
country both as a Naval 3rd Class Officer and an Army Specialist, he discovered that he had come
back to a host of financial troubles.
"When I came back, I was foodless, jobless, and just about homeless," Pino said. "It was a very
difficult time for me and my family."
Looking for any kind of assistance, Pino came to the G.I. Go Fund Veterans Transition Center, a
veterans' office located right in Newark's City Hall which had just opened its doors a few weeks
before he came. He was not exactly sure what they would be able to assist him with, since he had so
many different problems facing him and his family. As it turned out, though, they were ready to assist
him with everything.
"They provided job references, meal tickets, gifts cards, and practically a roof over my head for me
and my family," said Pino, now working in the Hudson County Sherriff's Office. "They really stepped
up to the plate for us."
Pino's story is just one of the thousands of veterans who have received help since Mayor Cory A.
Booker and The G.I. Go Fund forged an historic and unique partnership that established The G.I.
Go Veterans Transition Center three years ago. Since then, the office has successfully helped
veterans and their family members from all across Newark and the entire tri-state region with
comprehensive services to help them in their return back to civilian life.
“When veterans return home it is often difficult for them to adjust back into civilian life, making it hard
for them to secure a job and a place to live,” said G.I. Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous.
country both as a Naval 3rd Class Officer and an Army Specialist, he discovered that he had come
back to a host of financial troubles.
"When I came back, I was foodless, jobless, and just about homeless," Pino said. "It was a very
difficult time for me and my family."
Looking for any kind of assistance, Pino came to the G.I. Go Fund Veterans Transition Center, a
veterans' office located right in Newark's City Hall which had just opened its doors a few weeks
before he came. He was not exactly sure what they would be able to assist him with, since he had so
many different problems facing him and his family. As it turned out, though, they were ready to assist
him with everything.
"They provided job references, meal tickets, gifts cards, and practically a roof over my head for me
and my family," said Pino, now working in the Hudson County Sherriff's Office. "They really stepped
up to the plate for us."
Pino's story is just one of the thousands of veterans who have received help since Mayor Cory A.
Booker and The G.I. Go Fund forged an historic and unique partnership that established The G.I.
Go Veterans Transition Center three years ago. Since then, the office has successfully helped
veterans and their family members from all across Newark and the entire tri-state region with
comprehensive services to help them in their return back to civilian life.
“When veterans return home it is often difficult for them to adjust back into civilian life, making it hard
for them to secure a job and a place to live,” said G.I. Go Fund Executive Director Jack Fanous.
1/1/2012
Now, as thousands of New Jersey
soldiers return home from Iraq to their
loved ones this new year, the G.I. Go
Fund is prepared to help veterans
returning to New Jersey transition back
to civilian life.
“As our country winds down a nearly
nine-year war in Iraq, now more than
ever we need to help our returning
veterans,” Fanous said. “The G.I. Go
Fund has been working with veterans
for years and we understand the
difficulties they face and how to help
them move forward.”
soldiers return home from Iraq to their
loved ones this new year, the G.I. Go
Fund is prepared to help veterans
returning to New Jersey transition back
to civilian life.
“As our country winds down a nearly
nine-year war in Iraq, now more than
ever we need to help our returning
veterans,” Fanous said. “The G.I. Go
Fund has been working with veterans
for years and we understand the
difficulties they face and how to help
them move forward.”
| Iraq Vet Alex Pino at 2011 Veterans Day Gala (center) with GI Go Founders |
Founded in 2006, The G.I. Go Fund connects returning veterans to long termemployment, as well as
higher education opportunities, homelessness assistance and prevention, and essential VA benefits.
Since its creation, the Fund has held numerous job fairs and homeless outreach events to benefit
veterans in the state of New Jersey.
The Fund was started by Jack Fanous, his brother, James, along with Alex Manis and his brothers,
Nick and Peter, after their high school friend Lieutenant Seth Dvorin was killed by an IED in 2004
while serving in Iraq.
Working out of an office in Newark City Hall provided by Mayor Cory Booker, the G.I. Go Veterans
Transition Center offers assistance to all veterans in need. It is a first-of-its-kind partnership between
the non-profit and the City of Newark, providing help to hundreds of veterans in Newark and
throughout the area since they opened their doors three years ago.
“This landmark partnership has proven to be the most comprehensive and effective way to assist all
of our veterans and their families with all the needs that may arise,” Jack Fanous said. “Three years
ago, our organization and Mayor Booker had a vision; to show America a new approach to handling
veterans and to have a program that could serve as a model that could, as Mayor Booker said,
become abundantly available to veterans in cities throughout the country. Under Mayor Booker's
leadership, we have learned to think outside the box, cut through the red tape, and just help
veterans.”
In addition to offering employment opportunities, the G.I. Go Fund has assisted veterans in utilizing
their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to enroll into college, giving them the chance to earn the degree that
will land them the career of their dreams. Veterans are given the opportunity to learn just how
beneficial earning a degree at G.I. Go's Job and GI Bill Fair, as well as through their quarterly
magazine, The G.I. Go Fund Transition Times, which highlights to its veteran-readership all the
advantages that come with the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
“We have strived to do whatever we can for veterans,” said G.I. Go Fund Deputy Director Alexander
Manis. “The most important thing we can do is make sure that veterans returning home now from
Iraq have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their loved ones.”
“For three years, The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center has assisted thousands of veterans from
across our City and region to get the benefits they are entitled to and the support and love they
deserve,” Booker said. “The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center manifests our love and support for
the men and women who sacrificed to protect the freedom and liberty we enjoy. We are doing a lot
for veterans through the Fund and we will do more and expand our programs.”
The G.I. Go Fund has also been a leader on ending homelessness among veterans, conducting
numerous Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans with various partners throughout the state. The
latest one, which was held on Saturday, October 15, turned the John F. Kennedy Recreational
Center into a one-day, one-stop center for homeless veterans from across North Jersey, providing
them with haircuts, medical checks, and assistance about employment services, veterans' benefits,
substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation, recovery programs, hospice care, HIV
screening, and legal services.
In addition, the organization has conducted Midnight Outreach Events in partnership with the Mayor's
Council on the Homeless, going to Penn Station, Newark Liberty Airport, and deep through the
woods and under bridges at 4 a.m. to reach out to homeless veterans to conduct intake as well as
provide them with food, clothing, medical assistance, and opportunities to find housing.
Through their efforts, the G.I. Go Fund has won the respect and appreciation of veterans from
Newark and across New Jersey, as they have shown that they are a complete one-stop shop for
veterans and their families.
"They provide their professional care, they will work with the veteran every step of the way with
whatever their needs are," Pino said. "No matter what the need that a veteran has, whether its
employment, housing, going to school, or financial problems in general The G.I. Go Fund does a
great job in helping out in any way possible. Their organization is second to none."
higher education opportunities, homelessness assistance and prevention, and essential VA benefits.
Since its creation, the Fund has held numerous job fairs and homeless outreach events to benefit
veterans in the state of New Jersey.
The Fund was started by Jack Fanous, his brother, James, along with Alex Manis and his brothers,
Nick and Peter, after their high school friend Lieutenant Seth Dvorin was killed by an IED in 2004
while serving in Iraq.
Working out of an office in Newark City Hall provided by Mayor Cory Booker, the G.I. Go Veterans
Transition Center offers assistance to all veterans in need. It is a first-of-its-kind partnership between
the non-profit and the City of Newark, providing help to hundreds of veterans in Newark and
throughout the area since they opened their doors three years ago.
“This landmark partnership has proven to be the most comprehensive and effective way to assist all
of our veterans and their families with all the needs that may arise,” Jack Fanous said. “Three years
ago, our organization and Mayor Booker had a vision; to show America a new approach to handling
veterans and to have a program that could serve as a model that could, as Mayor Booker said,
become abundantly available to veterans in cities throughout the country. Under Mayor Booker's
leadership, we have learned to think outside the box, cut through the red tape, and just help
veterans.”
In addition to offering employment opportunities, the G.I. Go Fund has assisted veterans in utilizing
their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to enroll into college, giving them the chance to earn the degree that
will land them the career of their dreams. Veterans are given the opportunity to learn just how
beneficial earning a degree at G.I. Go's Job and GI Bill Fair, as well as through their quarterly
magazine, The G.I. Go Fund Transition Times, which highlights to its veteran-readership all the
advantages that come with the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
“We have strived to do whatever we can for veterans,” said G.I. Go Fund Deputy Director Alexander
Manis. “The most important thing we can do is make sure that veterans returning home now from
Iraq have the opportunity to provide for themselves and their loved ones.”
“For three years, The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center has assisted thousands of veterans from
across our City and region to get the benefits they are entitled to and the support and love they
deserve,” Booker said. “The G.I. Go Veterans Transition Center manifests our love and support for
the men and women who sacrificed to protect the freedom and liberty we enjoy. We are doing a lot
for veterans through the Fund and we will do more and expand our programs.”
The G.I. Go Fund has also been a leader on ending homelessness among veterans, conducting
numerous Stand Downs for Homeless Veterans with various partners throughout the state. The
latest one, which was held on Saturday, October 15, turned the John F. Kennedy Recreational
Center into a one-day, one-stop center for homeless veterans from across North Jersey, providing
them with haircuts, medical checks, and assistance about employment services, veterans' benefits,
substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation, recovery programs, hospice care, HIV
screening, and legal services.
In addition, the organization has conducted Midnight Outreach Events in partnership with the Mayor's
Council on the Homeless, going to Penn Station, Newark Liberty Airport, and deep through the
woods and under bridges at 4 a.m. to reach out to homeless veterans to conduct intake as well as
provide them with food, clothing, medical assistance, and opportunities to find housing.
Through their efforts, the G.I. Go Fund has won the respect and appreciation of veterans from
Newark and across New Jersey, as they have shown that they are a complete one-stop shop for
veterans and their families.
"They provide their professional care, they will work with the veteran every step of the way with
whatever their needs are," Pino said. "No matter what the need that a veteran has, whether its
employment, housing, going to school, or financial problems in general The G.I. Go Fund does a
great job in helping out in any way possible. Their organization is second to none."
2008-2012. The G.I. Go Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity organization.