Lorenzo Young, AAA, CVCS

At Still Serving Veterans, I offer motivational coaching and individualized case management, while working collaboratively with team members to ensure a high standard of service. I also participate in job fairs, hiring events, and workshops to connect clients with employment opportunities and strengthen our network of employer partners. I strive to meet and exceed annual job placement goals, aligning my efforts with grant objectives such as those under the Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) initiative. I remain committed to ongoing professional development to stay informed on evolving workforce trends and best practices in veteran career support.

As a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and Outreach Specialist in Substance Abuse Services, I provided essential peer support and advocacy to individuals navigating substance use disorders and related challenges. My responsibilities involved delivering recovery coaching, conducting community outreach, and connecting clients to critical resources that supported their recovery and reintegration into the community. I collaborated with healthcare and social service professionals to develop individualized recovery plans, engaged in crisis intervention when necessary, and facilitated educational sessions to promote awareness and empowerment. I maintained accurate and confidential documentation of client progress and outreach activities to ensure accountability and measure program effectiveness. Drawing from my lived experience and training, I applied strong interpersonal and communication skills to build trust, demonstrate empathy, and foster resilience in the individuals I served. I worked effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary teams, often in diverse environments including homes, shelters, public spaces, and outreach events. This role also required flexibility, and adaptability with travel, and ongoing day-to-day changes throughout the work week.

As the Business Development and Military Liaison in the substance abuse field, I identified and pursued business opportunities within military and veteran communities, with a focus on veteran court judges and VA Healthcare Systems. I combined strategic development and relationship-building with key stakeholders to ensure military personnel, veterans, and their families had access to essential substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

I empowered and advised veterans on improving their mental and physical health through personalized coaching strategies. I coordinated gym memberships that aligned with their fitness goals, promoting both physical and mental well-being. I provided services in both individual and group settings, sharing my personal workout experiences to help develop support systems that boosted motivation and assisted in physical recovery. I managed the company budget, overseeing financial transactions related to gym memberships and other expenses. I utilized my negotiation skills to secure favorable pricing with fitness establishments, ensuring cost-effective options for veterans. I also maintained the necessary administrative documentation and followed established protocols while collaborating with others to ensure seamless service delivery.

I managed a sober living home for up to 18 parolees and probationers, overseeing their comprehensive well-being and ensuring a successful transition into society. I provided essential support and resources to help individuals reintegrate into the community, including facilitating workforce integration initiatives that enabled smooth re-entry into the job market and societal norms. In addition to offering daily assistance to improve self-sufficiency and quality of life, I acted as a liaison between parolees and official officers, streamlining communication and enhancing operational efficiency. My role also included managing the day-to-day operations of the sober living home, ensuring a structured and supportive environment for residents in recovery. I employed risk management and conflict resolution strategies to promote stability and successful reintegration, while reducing the likelihood of recidivism.

Motor Transport Operator (88M) Served as a heavy vehicle operator responsible for transporting personnel, equipment, and mission-critical supplies across military installations and field environments. Cross-trained into aviation operations supporting CH-47 Chinook helicopters as both an aircraft mechanic and mission door gunner. Led and supported aircraft readiness, flight operations, and in-air defensive support. Performed general mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of CH-47 aircraft systems to ensure flight safety and mission readiness. -Assisted in daily aircraft inspections, logbook documentation, and component tracking, maintaining strict adherence to aviation safety standards. -Managed aircraft configuration, load planning, and mission preparation for rotary-wing operations. -Served as primary/assistant door gunner during flight missions, providing aerial security, threat identification, and defensive fire support using M240 and other mounted weapon systems. -Flew 6-8 hours daily during a year-long deployment to Iraq, supporting air assault, troop movement, resupply, MEDEVAC support, and high-priority cargo operations. -Demonstrated exceptional situational awareness, crew coordination, and adherence to aviation communication procedures under high-stress and combat conditions. -Accrued 419 Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flight hours, contributing to mission continuity and night-operations capability. Served as the primary data manager for a medical support unit, handling sensitive, compliance-regulated records for active-duty personnel, veterans, and civilians.