Estelle Julian, sales associate with the Hillsborough office of Prudential New Jersey Properties, has partnered with Sergeant George Bates Jr. of the U.S. Army Recruiting Office in Somerville to initiate the “Hire a Hero” program to give veterans of the Armed Forces career opportunities in real estate. Julian will sponsor six veterans for the cost of pre-licensing real estate school, in order to help those heroes take their first steps toward earning the New Jersey Real Estate Salesperson license.
According to Sgt. Bates, unemployment rates among soldiers who served in Afghanistan and Iraq are up to 10 percent, exceeding the national unemployment average of 7.7 percent. “This program would greatly benefit both our veterans as well as the real estate industry,” says Bates. “Recruitment works from referral, as does real estate. Many soldiers coming home from war come home looking for rental properties and homes, which is why the ‘Hire a Hero’ and ‘Homes for Heroes’ campaigns would work hand-in-hand.”
Julian hopes her sponsorships become the flagship program for New Jersey’s real estate community to take notice and continue paying it forward. “Our veterans do so much for us; it is time for us to repay the favor,” she said. “I believe with Sgt. Bates’ help, we will be able to boost the careers of many of our nation’s finest and give them the fresh start they deserve back at home.”
A real estate professional for nearly 30 years, Julian is an award-winning and accomplished Realtor who has worked with buyers and sellers throughout Morris and Somerset counties. She is politically active and has already been recognized for her “Hire a Hero” program from New Jersey Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Somerset County Freeholder Pat Walsh. She volunteers with Shoeboxes4Soldiers, which sends care packages to soldiers overseas, and she even kicks it up with the Hillsborough Rockettes and has entertained at the Veterans Hospital in Morris County as well as an array of local senior locations.
Deadline for all veterans to submit their names for consideration for sponsorships is Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013. For complete details on the “Hire a Hero” program, contact Estelle Julian at the Prudential New Jersey Properties Hillsborough office, located at 408 Route 26 south in Hillsborough at 908-874-3400, or email Sue LaRue, Hillsborough office manager at [email protected].