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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Voter Registration Deadline is Friday, Oct 9th
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Exercise Your Right. Register to Vote. Make a Plan.
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Today, October 9th, is the last day to register to vote in New York State.
- Register to vote here.
- Double-check that you're registered here.
After you register, make a plan to vote:
- To vote by mail, request an absentee ballot online here.
- Worried about mail-in voting? You can vote early and in-person in New York from October 24th to November 1st. Find your early polling site here.
- Election Day is November 3rd. Polls are open from 6:00 am - 9:00 pm. Find your polling site here.
*If you plan to vote in-person, please remember to wear a mask and stay 6 feet apart.
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UPDATE: Census Deadline Extended
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New Census Deadline is October 31st
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This week, appellate judges upheld a lower court order allowing the 2020 census to continue through October 31st. Take advantage of the extension. Fill out the 2020 census here. NYC’s future and recovery from COVID-19 depend on it.
10 questions in less than 10 minutes will impact the next 10 years!
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Details on New COVID-19 Restrictions
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NYC is taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in neighborhoods where cases continue to rise. Neighborhoods have been categorized into three zones with increasing restrictions (see below for details). Head to http://nyc.gov/COVIDzone to see which zone your neighborhood is in.
Red Zone:
- Schools are closed
- Nonessential businesses are closed as of October 8th
- Mass gatherings are prohibited
- Houses of worship are allowed to serve at 25% capacity with a maximum of 10 people
Orange Zone:
- Schools are closed as of October 8th.
- High-risk businesses, including gyms, are closed.
- Restaurants can allow outdoor dining only with a maximum of four people per table.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings are capped at 10 people or less.
- Houses of worship are allowed to serve at 33% capacity with a maximum of 25 people.
Yellow Zone:
- Schools are open but subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing.
- All businesses will remain open but customers should exercise caution.
- Indoor and outdoor dining is permitted with a maximum of four people per table.
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings are capped at 25 people or less.
- Houses of worship are allowed to serve at 50% capacity.
Ensure that you, your family, and your neighborhood are safe. Get tested for COVID-19. Find a free testing site here.
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Feeding Veterans in Queens
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DVS Commissioner James Hendon elbow-bumped volunteers at the Feeding Independence event this week. We were joined by Lt. Colonel Blossom Ferguson and Faun O’Neel of The Independence Fund to provide free food and masks to veterans in Hollis, Queens.
We're grateful to all the volunteers who made this food drive possible. During difficult times, your commitment to the veteran community inspires hope.
See Fox 5's coverage of this event here.
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Excerpt from the DVS Oral History Library
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"Veteran Voices Project" Excerpts, Week 4: The 1970's
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"Being a Black officer, I was more readily accepted in Germany by the German soldiers than by my own."
Veteran James C Day Jr. discusses being a Black officer in the aftermath of the civil rights movement in this excerpt from our Veteran Voices Project oral history library. Listen here.
If you are a veteran and would like to preserve your story, click here.
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DVS Programs & Initiatives
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Support for Veteran Organizations
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DVS will provide financial support to NYC's Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) hit hardest by the COVID-19 lockdown. Eligible VSOs can receive a microgrant of up to $500 or a $100 Home Depot gift card. Learn more.
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As part of MissionVetCheck, volunteers are making check-in calls to NYC veterans and informing them about available services. You can be part of this mission. Join today here.
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If you’re a veteran in need of food assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, DVS is here to help. Contact DVS at (212) 416-5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov to have GetFoodNYC meals delivered to your home.
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Housing Support & Eviction Prevention
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If you're a veteran worried about eviction, please contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.
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Helping Veterans File VA Claims
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DVS is now processing VA benefits claims. We're prepared to help you get the benefits you've earned! To learn more, contact claims@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Grow your veteran-owned business by becoming NYC certified! 75% of certified businesses have won contracts with City agencies. Learn if your business is eligible for NYC certification here. To learn more, contact business@veterans.nyc.gov.
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SITREP NYC Podcast Season 2
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DVS COVID-19 Resource Page
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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
Food Assistance:
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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