DVS Partners with Lyft

NYC Veterans Can Get Up to $25 off their Next Lyft Ride

Taking trips to the grocery store or post office may be challenging this year. That’s why New York City is helping veterans safely run essential errands throughout the holiday season.

DVS has partnered with Lyft to offer NYC veterans and their families up to $25 off their next Lyft ride to perform essential errands. Veterans can access a one-time use code by completing this form.

This offer is valid through December 31, 2020, or while supplies last. 

Virtual Veterans Advisory Meeting TODAY

The NYC Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) will host its final virtual meeting of the year TODAY at 6 pm. This meeting will inform New Yorkers about the state's efforts to support veterans and their families throughout 2020.

Join us to share your stories, advocate for what's important, & ask questions directly to state officials. Email your questions NOW to connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

HOW TO JOIN -
Online: https://bit.ly/3mxbSbW 
By phone: 646-992-2010
ACCESS CODE: 179 234 5796

The VAB meeting is FREE. No registration required.

Weather Advisory

Update to NYC Health + Hospitals Testing Times 

ALL NYC Health+Hospitals COVID Testing Sites will close at 2 pm on Wednesday, December 16th, and will re-open at 12 pm on Thursday,  December 17th. For up-to-date info on NYC COVID-19 testing sites, click here. 

To find a COVID-19 testing location near you, click here.

Supporting Veteran Service Organizations

DVS Provides Home Depot Gift Cards to Staten Island VSOs

This week, DVS distributed $100 Home Depot gift cards to Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) across Staten Island, as part of our effort to help VSOs pay for supplies needed to safely reopen and operate. The following Staten Island VSOs were awarded Home Depot gift cards:

• Kells - Grennie American Legion Post 316 
• Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 421 
• Corporal Allan F. Kivlehan Chapter Korean War Veterans of America 
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Blazing Star Post 1574 
• Beauvais-Hudson American Legion Post 126 
• Jewish War Veterans Post 80
• American Legion Joseph F. Merrell Post 1368

Bring on a Civic Corps Member

We encourage VSOs to bring on an NYC Civic Corps member to support and expand its organization's volunteer programs. All nonprofit organizations are invited to submit an application to bring on an NYC Civic Corp member to serve full time starting September 2021 through July 2022. Apply here. 

Holiday Grab & Go

The Harlem Vet Center is hosting a “Holiday Grab & Go” event through Wednesday, December 23rd. Veterans and their families can schedule an appointment to select clothing and hygiene products at the Vet Center. New Yorkers are also encouraged to donate.

To schedule an appointment to attend or to donate please contact Richard Cartagena at Richard.Cartagena@va.gov or (646) 273-8139.

Virtual Veterans Events

Dubunking Mental Health Myths

Join Yeshiva University for a workshop to debunk the myths surrounding mental health and self-care in the veteran community. 

WHEN: Thurs, Dec 17th | 5 pm
RSVP here 

Celebrating the End of "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

Join the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs and Sage USA in celebrating the tenth anniversary of the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell." This virtual event will feature veterans who were impacted by the policy and leaders who helped to end it. 

WHEN: Tues, Dec 22nd | 6 pm - 7:30 pm
RSVP here 

DVS Programs & Initiatives 

Reaching Out to Veterans Across NYC

Feeding Veterans in Need

Helping File VA Claims

Housing Veterans During the Pandemic

Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Initiative

DVS Website

Review our new website at nyc.gov/vets or take a closer look at our new webpages below:

Connect to Services:

• Benefit and VA Claims Services 
• Employment and Employer Resources 
• Financial Assistance Resources 
• Food Services 
• Health Resources 
• Housing Support Services 
• Legal Services 
• LGBT Veterans 
• Mental Health Services 
• Military Families and Caretakers 
• Senior Veterans 
• Student Veterans 
• Women Veterans 
• Veterans with Disabilities 
• Veteran Organizations and Businesses 
• Volunteer Opportunities 

• Arrange a Burial or Funeral 
• Hire a Veteran 
• House a Veteran 
• Volunteer with Veterans 

• Weekly Newsletter 
• Social Media 
• SITREP Podcast 
• Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Library 
• Videos 

• Partner with DVS
• Press Inquiries

Contact DVS

Referral Services: vetconnectnyc.org or 1-833-VETS-NYC

VA Claims & Food Donations

• Latisha Russaw
  (917) 605-0325 | lrussaw@veterans.nyc.gov​

• Eileen Barcene​
  (646) 499-0055​ | ebarcene@veterans.nyc.gov

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

• 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​

• Melissa Walters​
  (646) 889-4180​ | Mewalters@veterans.nyc.gov

• Tanya Thomas​
  (646) 499-0098​ | tthomas@veterans.nyc.gov