WASHINGTON, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) and Capital One Financial Corporation today announced that the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign has reached its goal of engaging the business community to hire half a million veterans and military spouses. Since the Hiring 500,000 Heroes initiative launched in March 2012, more than 2,000 businesses of all sizes and industries hired 500,000 veterans and military spouses after committing to the campaign.

Through a three-year, $4.5 million commitment of support from Capital One, the Hiring 500,000 Heroes initiative hosted hiring events, provided mentorship programs, and developed tools to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment.

"The success of Hiring 500,000 Heroes shows that the business community is ready and willing to give our veterans and military families what they deserve – great jobs and a bright future," said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "We have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made by the military community, and will continue to honor their dedication with opportunity."

Hiring Our Heroes and Capital One worked closely with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's vast network of state and local chambers to engage the business community and maximize the grassroots impact.

"This is a milestone achievement in our effort to help our veterans and military spouses make a successful transition into rewarding jobs and new careers here at home," said Capital One General Counsel John Finneran. "Like the thousands of other companies who have joined this effort, Capital One is committed to this mission. As we hire these extraordinary Americans, we know that we are bringing on highly skilled, dedicated colleagues that enhance our business and our culture. These are talented men and women, and by offering them job opportunities and investing in their long-term success, the business community and our country have a great deal to gain."

With support from active groups like the International Franchise Association and HOH's Employment Advisory Councils, the campaign educated employers on the value proposition of hiring veterans and military spouses, and provided tools and resources to help them find and hire military talent.

"This campaign was a call-to-action for the American business community, and more than 2,000 companies large and small stepped up to answer that call. Our partner, Capital One, helped lead the charge – not only by serving as a thought leader, but an active employer, offering support, training and career opportunities to military veterans and their families," said Eric Eversole, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and president of Hiring Our Heroes. "While we have reached an incredible milestone, our work is not done. We must all remain focused on military transition and employment challenges, as nearly 250,000 service members are currently transitioning out of the military and into the civilian workforce."

Find out more about the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign here.

Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Hiring Our Heroes has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through more than 870 job fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Germany; a suite of free online career-based resources; and the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness and educating the public on how the free enterprise system improves society and the economy.

About Capital One:

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., and Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., had $210.4 billion in deposits and $306.2 billion in total assets as of March 31, 2015. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients through a variety of channels. Capital One, N.A. has branches located primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

HiringOurHeroes.org    @HiringOurHeroes    FreeEnterprise.com

SOURCE The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Capital One

Related Links

http://www.HiringOurHeroes.org