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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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We Want to Hear from You!
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DVS wants to know how we can best serve NYC veterans. Please take a moment to answer the following question:
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DVS Houses 1,000th Veteran
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Joycelyn Miller is the 1,000th veteran who’s been given a new home by DVS after experiencing homelessness. On Tuesday, DVS Commissioner James Hendon and Mayor Bill de Blasio threw Miller a housewarming party at her new one-bedroom apartment.
A big thank you to Mayor de Blasio for making this possible. Special thanks to Volunteers of America - Greater New York (VOA-GNY) for the work they do to shelter and take care of NYC's veteran community. Without this partnership, the recent move of our 1,000th homeless veteran from a VOA-GNY shelter into their own home wouldn't have been possible. It is collaborations like this that make NYC one of the most veteran-friendly cities in the country.
We must also recognize our incredible housing team, who is working tirelessly to safely house veterans experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Learn more about their efforts here.
Having a safe place to live is essential to leading a productive life. Providing secure housing is the least we can do for those who protected our freedoms. If you are a veteran who is homeless and needs housing assistance, contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.
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DVS Commissioner on Black History Month
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“Every year, in February, we honor our nation's Black history. We pay homage to the contributions made by African Americans - many of whom served in our nation's Armed Forces; of those, many of whom gave their lives. From Crispus Attucks - America’s first military casualty - to the First Rhode Island Regiment to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment to the Buffalo Soldiers to the Six Triple Eight to the Harlem Hellfighters to the Tuskegee Airmen to the Montford Point Marines, this country is filled with examples, individual and otherwise, of American excellence as filtered through the souls and sacrifices of African American bodies. Regardless of the place, conflict, or century, Black people have stood on the front lines of hostilities in order to support and defend the United States.
Indeed, Black History Month is not only a time for celebration, but a time for reflection, learning, and growth. We remind ourselves of the extent to which people of color and their allies fought - and still fight - to evolve, protect, and contribute to the greatest experiment in human history which is US democracy. Through their actions, African Americans have collectively given everything in service of this grand experiment, even at times when their love and generosity were not returned.
Black History Month also serves as an inflection point, reminding us to continue to do all that we can in order to advance the American experiment. We must demand that everyone be treated with dignity and respect by dismantling systemic barriers that hold us back from forming a more perfect union. The tragic murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others whose lives were cut short laid bare how much work lies ahead for us as a nation. Voter suppression is still underway, peaceful protests are being met with deadly force, and Black skin remains a proxy for danger in the eyes of too many as a result of bias. Until those and a myriad of other injustices are relegated to a bygone era, our journey continues. It is incumbent that none of us look away from these challenges. Each of us - regardless of race, color, or creed - must take steps in our own way which help our country put one foot in front of the other in the name of progress.
As we conclude this year's Black History Month, we recognize that Black History Month is every month. Much like November 11th is a trigger to zero-in on our focus to honor our nation's Veterans - Veterans Day is every day - Black History Month is a catalyst upon which to perpetually celebrate African Americans’ contributions to this glorious country. May all of you take time to pay homage to the African American giants whose shoulders we continue to stand on in our embrace of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Happy Black History Month!”
- DVS Commissioner James Hendon
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Why Veterans Should Move to NYC
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DVS Commissioner James Hendon on
why veterans should relocate to New York City.
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Last weekend, DVS had the privilege of presenting at Student Veterans of America's National Conference 2021 (NatCon21). During our presentation, Commissioner Hendon urged student veterans from across the country to relocate to NYC to pursue their education and careers.
"Many of the core arguments that a veteran can use to justify not coming here can be easily knocked down. Everything from access to affordable housing and education opportunities to health care support and the ability to find a good job is accounted for. I ask you to consider New York City based on facts about our landscape. Not on hearsay and not on opinions."
Watch his address here.
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Photography Courses for Veterans
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The Josephine Herrick Project and the Harlem Veterans Center are hosting free online photography courses for veterans starting March 3rd! The 14-week course runs every Wednesday, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm!
No experience necessary. All are welcome! To enroll, contact Richard.Cartagena@va.gov / 646-273-8139.
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Edge4Vets Online Career Workshop
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Edge4Vets is offering two online career workshops. The first workshop will instruct veterans on creating a Plan4Success draft to outline their goals and develop a career strategy. The subsequent workshop connects veterans to HR representatives at partner companies who will match participants' skills and interests to job opportunities.
WHEN:
Zoom Workshop 1: Friday, April 9th
Zoom Workshop 2: Friday, April 23rd
Learn more information here.
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Pursue a Career in Sustainable Energy
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Join the NYC Cool Roofs program for 10-11 weeks of full-time, paid work experience installing energy-saving reflective rooftops. Starting pay is $15 per hour.
Learn more here.
To get started, complete the interest form here.
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The HOPE Program's Sustainable South Bronx initiative offers a free 12-week program for jobseekers interested in careers in green infrastructure and maintenance. The next start date is May 10th!
Learn more here.
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Each week, we will dedicate a section of our newsletter to COVID-19 updates. This section will be updated weekly to reflect new developments:
An Unimaginable Milestone:
This week the US death toll from COVID-19 passed 500,000 deaths. More Americans have died from COVID-19 than in World War 1, World War 2, and the Vietnam War combined. According to The New York Times, "about one in 670 Americans have died from the virus". Read more about this unimaginable milestone here.
NYC COVID-19 Numbers:
Although cases are declining across the country, New York City remains at an "extremely high risk level." January 2021 was the worst month for cases in NYC since the start of the pandemic. Here are this week's numbers:
- Positivity Rate (7-day average): 6.86%
- New Cases Per Day (14-day average): 4,083
How to Protect Yourself:
Given the high risk of infection to New Yorkers at the moment, please take the following steps to protect yourself and your community:
- Double Mask: NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi, MD, now recommends wearing TWO face masks when you’re around people you don’t live with. New Yorkers are advised to wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask to keep themselves and others safe. Make sure it’s over your nose and mouth. Learn how to properly wear two face coverings here.
- Avoid Indoor Activities: Do not visit bars, gyms, and restaurants. Avoid nonessential shopping. Do not have friends and family over.
- Avoid Nonessential Travel
- Avoid Gatherings: Weddings, funerals, concerts, religious services, and sporting events are not safe at the moment.
- Socially DIstance: Stay six feet apart from others when outside of your home.
- Get Vaccinated if You're Eligible...
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
For a full list of eligible New Yorkers, click here.
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment:
NYC received a large supply of vaccines this week. If you’re eligible, this is the time to get vaccinated! Find an appointment here or call 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). Appointments are required!
You can also visit the following resources to find other locations that may have appointments available:
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment at the VA:
Eligible veterans, including veterans over 50, enrolled in VA health care can call 1-877-877-9267 to make an appointment at one of the following locations:
Eligible veterans enrolled at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx should call (718) 741-4640 to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Vaccines are Free:
When you are eligible, you can get the vaccine for FREE no matter what.
Vaccines Are Safe:
According to the CDC, "COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective." Learn more about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine here.
You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. To learn more, click here.
After You Get Vaccinated
The clinical trials showed that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very effective at preventing symptoms of COVID-19 and severe illness. More research is needed to see whether the vaccines prevent people from getting and spreading the virus. This means that if you receive the vaccine, you may not get seriously ill but you still might transmit the virus to someone who isn't fully protected. So please continue to wear a mask and socially distance after you get vaccinated. Learn more here.
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DVS Programs & Initiatives
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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.
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DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by contacting connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Housing Veterans During the Pandemic
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DVS continues to house homeless veterans during the pandemic. The agency was able to house 183 formerly homeless veterans in 2020, an increase of approximately 18% compared to the previous year. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
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Making Calls to Veterans Across NYC
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As part of Mission: VetCheck, volunteers call NYC veterans to provide information about essential services, including free meals, COVID-19 testing, and mental health resources.
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Many veterans living in NYC are eligible for, but do not receive, their Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. That's why DVS is representing veterans and their families in claims for benefits. To schedule an online appointment with a member of our VA Claims Team, contact claims@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.
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Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Initiative
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DVS has captured the oral history of NYC veterans representing every branch and service era. From World War 2 to COVID-19, hear stories of service across generations on our Veteran Voices Project library.
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SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
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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:
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Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
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LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
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DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.
Review the webpages on our site:
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Support a Veteran:
Media:
Contact Us:
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Referral Services: vetconnectnyc.org or 1-833-VETS-NYC
VA Claims & Food Donations
- Latisha Russaw
(917) 605-0325 | lrussaw@veterans.nyc.gov
Food Delivery Assistance:
Employment Services:
- Christian T. Peralta
(646) 630-1932 | cperalta1@veterans.nyc.gov
Education Services and Unemployment Assistance:
- Amauri Espinal
(646) 799-2728 | aespinal@veterans.nyc.gov
Housing:
- Dana Rock, HSS Director
(646) 901-4948 | DanaRock@veterans.nyc.gov
- Horng Chou, HSS Deputy Director
(646) 532-1884 | Hchou@veterans.nyc.gov
Eviction Prevention:
- Angela Guyton-Cyril
(646) 740-8156 | AGuyton-Cyril@veterans.nyc.gov
Healthcare:
- Melissa Walters
(646) 889-4180 | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov
Military Families and Caregivers:
- Tanya Thomas
(646) 499-0098 | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov
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