BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol held a career fair on Thursday. Director of Veteran Services Kasim Yarn said the facility has 30 vacancies and a growing waitlist, and that without the staff, the facility cannot fill beds. The hope for the two-day career fair was to attract more employees at the home so more veterans have a place to live. “Folks showed up early,” Yarn said. “Resumes, dressed for success, questions in hand, ready to go.” Yarn added that the fair is designed to hire cooks, nurses, and CNAs. “There is no greater blessing than to serve those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of others,” Yarn added. Vacant rooms can’t be filled with veterans until more staff is hired. “We need more people and we need more help here,” resident and veteran Richard Pandozzi said. Pandozzi has been living at the veterans home for 17 years. “The place is beautiful but the people who work here I feel are the real beauty of the place,” he said The Office of Veteran Services said its goal was to hire at least 16 staff members after the two-day career fair. “We just don’t seem to have enough CNAs and nurses to take care of all of us,” resident and veteran John Leonard said. “I know when we go to the hospital, I see my brothers and sisters lying on the ground because they have no place to go.” Categories: News, Rhode Island