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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Honoring David Dinkins,
U.S. Marine Veteran & the First Black Mayor of NYC
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"David Dinkins was a trailblazer who led a life devoted to the service of others and creating a better and fairer city for the “gorgeous mosaic” of the 8 ½ million residents who live here. As the first Black Mayor of New York City, he made significant contributions to the New York City Police Department’s size, revitalized Times Square, and made substantial investments in rehabilitating housing in Manhattan and the Bronx. His win also opened the door for the generations who would follow him into city government.
Being Mayor was only part of David Dinkins’s rich life of service. During World War II, he proudly served his country as a Marine - notably as one of the Montford Point Marines. After the war, he attended Howard University and returned to New York, where he ran a law firm, served as a State Assemblymember, City Clerk, and as Manhattan Borough President.
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Throughout his life, he was a member of numerous nonprofits such as One Hundred Black Men. He also served on the board of humanitarian organizations to help create a better city and world. During all of this, his rock was his wife of six decades, Joyce, who died two months ago.
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Today, New York is a little sadder for the loss of this giant who meant so much to all who knew him intimately and through his honorable public service. Yet, we celebrate and remain hopeful, knowing that New York City - and the State as a whole - is a better place to live in because of the many contributions that he made."
- James Hendon, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans' Services
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Stories of Service & Sacrifice
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Join us for Veterans Voices Project Live to hear veterans share stories of sacrifice and service. DVS is partnering with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project on a virtual storytelling event featuring veterans from different branches, service eras, and demographics.
Get to know the panelists:
- Veronica Mammina: Veronica Mammina is a U.S. Navy combat veteran and award-winning photojournalist. Veronica, a self-described “design nerd”, is now working as a digital storyteller. Her content has been published in print and broadcast outlets around the world.
- Dlayne Tucciaron: After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Dlayne Tucciarone was accepted to the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program, an initiative that provides wounded and/or disabled veterans an opportunity to work for Congress. Dlayne currently works for the office of Congressman French Hill as a District Representative for Military and Veterans Affairs
- Ricky Semple: Ricky Semple has served his country and his city. In addition to his 42 years as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army, Ricky dedicated 35 years as a civil servant in the MTA.
- Trey Carson: Trey Carson began his military career as a flight instructor and eventually oversaw funding for all Navy Reserve operations, manpower, equipment, and facilities. Today Carson works for the Library of Congress.
WHEN: Wed, 11/25 | 6 pm -7 pm
WHERE: facebook.com/nycveterans
Learn how you can preserve your own story in our oral history library, the Veteran Voices Project.
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Support for Veteran Organizations
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We are pleased to announce the Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) that have qualified for funding through our VSO Microgrant Program. 22 VSOs have been awarded a grant of $1,136 each to help offset economic hardships from not receiving rental income due to COVID-19. Microgrants will be awarded to the following organizations:
- American Legion Samuel Young Post 620
- American Legion William Irwin Post 774
- American Legion Memorial Post 1833
- American Legion George P. Davis Post 116
- American Legion McFadden Brothers Post 1380
- VFW Edward F Lukoski Post 7096
- American Legion Colonel Charles Young Post 398
- American Legion Little Neck-Douglaston Post 103
- American Legion Broad Channel Post 1404
- American Legion John F. Prince Post 6478
- American Legion Continental Post 1424
- American Legion Corporal John Rusoff 1632
- American Legion Rosedale Post 483
- American Legion Benjamin Moore Post 1946
- VFW Prince Wynn Post 260
- VFW Edward O. Gourdin Post 5298
- VFW Queensboro Hill Post 3427
- Catholic War Veterans St. Sebastian’s Post 870
- American Legion Gold Star Post 1365
- American Legion Cespino-Russo Post 1544
- VFW SGG Michael Ollis Post 9587
- American Legion Henry and Stanley Cichon Post 1578
DVS continues to accept applications for Home Depot gift cards of $100.00 until January 31, 2021, or until our supply is exhausted. Learn more.
If you or your organization is interested in supporting NYC's Veteran Service Organizations, please contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov
Special thanks to Bob Woodruff Foundation, History Channel, PenFed Foundation, Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Richmond County Savings Foundation for making this program possible.
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Turkey Giveaways to Veteran Families
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Last week, the Bob Woodruff Foundation donated over 450 turkeys to veterans and their families.
On Saturday, November 21st, Team DVS helped deliver 200 turkeys to VFW Post 5298. The following day, DVS worked with student veterans from the Fordham Veterans Association to distribute 250 donated turkeys to veterans and hand off boxes of food to Bronx families.
It's going to take a collective effort to support NYC families this and Thanksgiving. If you would like to join our volunteer efforts, contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Turkey Giveaway in Brooklyn
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DVS would like to extend a special thanks to the Brooklyn Bank for donating turkeys to NYC's veterans last weekend! The Brooklyn Bank holds an annual Turkey and Christmas Giveaway and this year they aimed to serve 350 families.
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Pass the Gravy. Skip the Gatherings.
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Happy virtual Thanksgiving.
REMEMBER: Do not travel this holiday season. In fact, avoid gatherings today altogether. Skip in-person dinners and opt for virtual gatherings with your family. Learn how you can fight the second wave here.
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Veterans Needed for Vaccine Trials
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VA New York Harbor is seeking veterans to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Those who meet any one of the following criteria are strongly encouraged to participate:
- underlying medical conditions
- high risk of exposure from their work environment
- identities as Black, Latinx, or Indigenous
Participants will be randomized to either receive an investigational vaccine or a placebo. Participants will NOT be exposed to COVID-19. All participants will be compensated for their time. If you are interested in learning more, please call 212-951-5986.
Learn more about volunteering for coronavirus research at the VA here.
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SBA Task Force on Veterans Meeting
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The U.S. Small Business Administration's Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development (IATF) and the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) will hold virtual public meetings to address the challenges faced by the veteran small business community. Both meetings will be held on Microsoft Teams.
The IATF will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Dial-in: (202) 765-1264
- Conference ID: 449 400 128#
The ACVBA will meet on Thursday, Dec. 3 | 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
- Dial-in: (202) 765-1264
- Conference ID: 298 825 239#
Veteran small business owners are encouraged to attend the meeting to provide comments and hear about the committees' efforts to support veteran entrepreneurs. Submit comments and questions by November 30th via email to veteransbusiness@sba.gov or by phone at (202) 205-6773.
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The United States Veterans Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free Career and Education Fair for veterans, as well as their spouses and caregivers. Participants will have the opportunity to have their resumes seen by employers and higher education institutions.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Dec. 9th | 9 am - 4 pm
Thursday, Dec. 10th | 12:00 pm - 5 pm
Register here.
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DVS Programs & Initiatives
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Reaching Out to Veterans Across NYC
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One of the largest concerns facing New Yorkers during the pandemic is food insecurity.
To address this need, DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to deliver meals to homebound veterans.
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DVS is assisting veterans with filing VA claims. Have questions about education, disability, and survivor benefits? Contact claims@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Housing Veterans During the Pandemic
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DVS has been working with homeless veterans throughout this pandemic to ensure that they are in safe, secure housing. DVS was able to house 183 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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Providing Masks to Veterans
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Throughout 2020, DVS has distributed over 35,000 face masks to the veteran community. To request a mask, contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Review our new website at nyc.gov/vets or take a closer look at our new webpages below:
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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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