Crossings TV Asian Television – Home to Asian Americans
By Norman Manglicmot, Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, EDD
Every Veterans Day, I reflect on what it means to serve. After spending 25 years in the U.S. Navy, I learned that service doesn’t end when you take off the uniform. Sometimes, it takes on a new purpose.
Today, as a Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist with the Employment Development Department (EDD), I can continue serving by helping fellow veterans overcome employment challenges, explore career opportunities, and access resources that can help them build a better future.
As an Asian American veteran, this work is especially meaningful because I understand how important trust, cultural connections, and community support can be when someone is looking for help.
When I connect with Filipino veterans, something as simple as speaking Tagalog or Ilocano can make a meaningful difference. Sometimes, people recognize my Filipino last name or hear my accent and immediately feel more comfortable. They realize they can speak their native language and share their concerns with someone who understands their background.
That shared connection helps build trust and opens the door to conversations about employment, challenges, and available resources.
In Filipino culture, we have a concept called kapwa, which emphasizes our shared identity and humanity. To me, it means treating others with the same care and respect I would want for my own family.
I carry that philosophy into every interaction, whether I’m helping a Filipino veteran, another member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, or any Californian seeking assistance.
One thing I’ve learned is that asking for help isn’t always easy. Veterans are accustomed to being independent and finding solutions, but transitioning into civilian life can bring unfamiliar challenges. I want veterans to know they don’t have to navigate those challenges alone.
Through EDD, veterans and eligible spouses can access priority employment services, career counseling, job referrals, and training opportunities. America’s Job Center of California locations offer personalized assistance, while CalJOBS helps connect job seekers with employment opportunities.
EDD also serves California’s diverse communities through multilingual resources and language assistance, helping more individuals and families understand and access available programs and services.
These resources are not just for veterans. Whether someone is looking for a job, exploring a new career, or seeking information about unemployment, disability, or Paid Family Leave benefits, EDD offers programs that can help eligible Californians move forward.
As we recognize Veterans Day, I hope my story encourages others, particularly within our AAPI communities, to take that first step toward seeking assistance.
My own journey from the Philippines to serving in the Navy and now working at EDD has taught me that opportunities can change the direction of someone’s life. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing where to turn.
When you reach out to EDD, there are people on the other side of the desk, phone, or screen who genuinely want to help.
To my fellow veterans, especially those in the AAPI community, I want you to know that help is out there. Whether you’re a first-generation immigrant or born and raised here, your service matters, and so does your future. You served your country with pride. Now it’s our turn to serve you. Visit edd.ca.gov/Veterans to learn about the programs, resources, and people ready to support your journey from service to success.