Honoring Veterans on Fourth of July
|
|
Happy Fourth of July from the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS)!
The Fourth of July is a special time to reflect on what America stands for and renew our determination to strive for “liberty and justice for all.” Thank you to New York City’s veterans and their families for ensuring our freedom.
While Fourth of July fireworks can be a celebration for some, they can also trigger PTSD symptoms for some veterans. Fireworks can also disturb service animals veterans depend on to manage their stress. If you are experiencing mental health concerns, please click here for mental health resources.
|
|
Upcoming Mental Health Programs for Veterans
|
|
|
In addition to mental health resources, please see below for upcoming programs for veterans:
|
|
De-Cruit: Learn Theater Arts
|
|
De-Cruit teaches veterans theater arts and Shakespeare verses to support healthy and productive lives. Not only is the program free, but it also pays veteran participants $200 for their participation.
The program runs Monday nights from July 18 to August 22.
For more information, contact alisha.ali@nyu.edu.
|
|
Equine Therapy for Veterans
|
|
The Military Family Wellness Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University is offering free equine therapy for veterans with PTSD. To learn more about the Man O’ War 8-week equine therapy program, click here.
Get information or schedule an appointment by calling (646) 774-8104 or emailing anna.fisch@nyspi.columbia.edu.
|
|
|
If you experience repetitive, unwanted memories, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, restlessness, or anxiety, you may be eligible to join a research study from Weill Cornell involving treatment for Military Sexual Trauma (MST). All participants will receive free PTSD intervention and will be compensated for all completed assessments (up to $325). To learn more, call 212-821-0783.
|
|
Workshop for Mental Health Professionals: Reconciliation of Traumatic Memories (RTM)
|
|
|
Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) is a therapeutic intervention for those struggling with PTSD that works to dissociate clients from trauma memories. Workshops focused on RTM instruction will be held in July for mental health professionals looking to incorporate RTM into their clinical practice and graduate students interested in learning more about this effective intervention technique. Most licensed professionals can receive 21 Continuing Education Units for completing this workshop. Scholarships for free tuition are available. To learn more and register, click here.
|
|
DVS Hosts Furniture Build-A-Thon
for Formerly Homeless Veterans
|
|
DVS will host two Furniture Build-A-Thons on the JFK High School campus at 99 Terrace View Ave in the Bronx on the following days:
- Saturday, July 9th | | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Saturday, July 23rd | | 9:00 - 1:00 pm
Join us as a volunteer and help build foldable tables and stools for formerly homeless veterans who have recently moved into their new homes.
For more information, email norlando@veterans.nyc.gov or call (646) 818-0289.
Thank you to the following partners for sponsoring our July Furniture Build-A-Thons in the Bronx: Council Member Eric Dinowitz, PenFed Foundation, U-Haul, and the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City.
|
|
Take a FREE Civil Service Exam
|
|
You served your country; now serve your city.
Veterans can take NYC civil service exams for free! Register today for a civil service exam to apply for a job working for the New York City government:
See below for civil service exams with current open registration:
|
|
Open Registration for Civil Service Exams
|
|
Police Officer
Always wanted to be a police officer? To apply for a position as a police officer, candidates must pass the police officer written exam, which is designed to measure cognitive ability, observational skills, and mental acuity. The Police Officer Exam will be open for filing until July 15. You can register for the exam by clicking here.
Corrections Officer
Veterans interested in a new career as an NYC Correction Officer can register for this civil service exam until July 8. To learn more, click here.
|
|
DVS Programs and Initiatives
|
|
Get the Benefits You Deserve
|
|
|
DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the VetConnectNYC.org form (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).
|
|
|
VetConnectPro: A New Employment Tool for NYC Veterans
|
|
|
This past Veterans Day, the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) officially launched VetConnectPro - a new employment tool designed to help veterans find employment, professional mentorship, and resources to advance their careers. Get started by creating or uploading your resume today: nyc.gov/vetconnectpro.
|
|
|
|
Mission: VetCheck volunteers make check-in calls to veterans across NYC. Through these calls, volunteers provide veterans with information regarding vital public services, including free meals, information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and mental health resources. To volunteer with Mission: VetCheck or request a check-in call, click here.
|
|
|
Fighting Veteran Homelessness
|
|
|
Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
|
|
|
VetBizNYC: NYC's Veteran-Owned Business Map
|
|
|
The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of NYC's Veterans. For more information, visit nyc.gov/vetvoices.
|
|
|
How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
|
|
|
Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
|
|
SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
|
|
Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:
|
|
|
|
Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
|
|
LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
|
|
|
|
|
