5Q: Kasim Yarn

 / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
/ PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1 What are your goals as the first person to hold this position?

In addition to ensuring the Veterans Cemetery and Veterans Home provide top-notch services to Rhode Islanders, I will work to improve outreach and access to services, benefits and training opportunities that are designed to help veterans develop skills that matter for jobs that pay. … I’m honored to be that voice for Rhode Island’s veterans, and will fight to expand opportunities for them.

2 Why is it important to you to represent the thousands of veterans who rely on the state for support?

We need to ensure a successful transition back to civilian life for these servicemen and women when they return home. That means helping them access education and job-training opportunities and navigating the services and benefits available to them.

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3 What’s the biggest challenge you face and how do you plan to address it?

As I travel around the state, I’ve seen first-hand the tremendous desire to connect with each other so we can all serve our veterans and families better. To accomplish this, we are working on a plan with our federal, state, and community partners to build a network of community of care that is connected by a secure, web-based technology platform, and supported by a coordination center.

4 What type of recognition would you like veterans to receive when they return from active duty and decide to re-enter the workforce?

The vast majority return home ready to re-engage with our communities, government and local businesses. Veterans are an emerging supply of talent for Rhode Island’s economic comeback. By better connecting them to education and workforce-development opportunities, we can leverage their skills to help spur our state’s economy.

5 Do you think there are obstacles prohibiting veterans from fully re-entering the workforce?

We need to recognize that veterans are civic assets, not liabilities. Veterans are, by and large, disciplined, highly motivated, hardworking and resilient men and women. Connecting them to education and workforce-development opportunities serves Rhode Island’s best interests. •

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