Support for Veteran Service Organizations

Microgrants & Home Depot Gift Cards Available for VSOs

In response to the financial challenges faced by local Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), DVS has established a Microgrant Initiative and created a partnership to distribute $100 Home Depot gift cards to organizations in need of support. 

Microgrant Initiative
Under the Microgrant Initiative, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City will distribute one-time microgrants to eligible VSOs that have lost revenue due to an inability to rent their space during the pandemic. Microgrants will vary based on the number of approved applicants but are expected to be approximately $500 per recipient. 

Apply and learn eligibility requirements here. The deadline to apply for a microgrant is Wednesday, October 28th (11:59 pm).

Home Depot Gift Cards
DVS has partnered with the Home Depot Foundation to distribute $100 gift cards to VSOs to help cover the cost of PPE, facility upkeep, or general operations. Home Depot gift cards will be provided on a one-time basis for each eligible VSO and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Apply and learn eligibility requirements here. The deadline to apply for a Microgrant is Wednesday, October 28th (11:59 pm).

Please Note
VSOs deemed eligible for the Microgrant Initiative are ineligible to receive Home Depot gift cards. If you have questions, please email us at VSOSupport@veterans.nyc.gov, or call 212 416-5250.

Special Thanks
Special thanks to the following partners for making these initiatives possible: Bob Woodruff Foundation, History Channel (A&E Networks), Home Depot Foundation, PenFed Foundation, Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the Richmond County Savings Foundation. We are grateful for their support.

Partnering to Feed Veterans

New Initiative to Bring Food to Veterans Across New York

 Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo announced that the NYS Division of Veterans' Services has extended its partnership with HelloFresh to deliver over 200,000 fresh meals to veterans, military families, and other New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. NYC DVS is supporting the initiative by collaborating with Black Veterans for Social Justice and the Campaign Against Hunger to pack and distribute meal kits provided by HelloFresh. Learn more here.
 

Listen to Their Stories

Excerpt from the DVS Oral History Library

Each week between now and Veterans Day, DVS will share excerpts from our oral history initiative, the Veterans Voices Project.

Our first excerpt starts in 1945. Listen as Jim McDonough, Executive Director of the Headstrong Project, interviews World War II veteran Nicholas Troianiello on his experience at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

To learn how to preserve your story in our oral history library, click here. 
 

Virtual Event for Veterans

Webinar for Veterans at Risk of Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is hosting a Facebook event for veterans and military families at risk of becoming homeless. Experts from both the VA and VFW will be available to provide resources and answer questions. Learn more here. 

WHEN: Wednesday, September 23rd | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Online

News for New Yorkers

Get Your Flu Shot

"The flu can be deadly even in normal years - and we know 2020 is not a normal year...Our friends and neighbors, particularly the most vulnerable New Yorkers, are counting on everyone to get their flu vaccine." - NYC Health Commissioner, Dave A. Chokshi

We're joining our City partners to encourage all New Yorkers to get their flu vaccine. It is especially important for adults ages 50 and older, pregnant people, children ages 6 months to 5 years, and people with chronic diseases. 

Use the Health Department’s NYC Health Map, call 311, or text FLU to 877-877 to find out where you can get a flu vaccination.

Priority COVID Testing for Students & DOE Staff

Attention military families: NYC is making sure students and DOE staff members are tested for COVID-19 before the start of the school year. Find a free DOE-priority testing site here. 

COVID-19 Mobile Testing Sites

Mobile testing units are up and running in every borough! To find a mobile testing site where you can get a free COVID-19 test, click here.

Census 2020: Only 2 Weeks Left to File

More than 40% of New Yorkers still need to be counted in the 2020 Census.  Federal funding, as well as two Congressional seats, are on the line.

There are only two weeks left until the filing deadline. To fill out your census now, click here. 

Hispanic Heritage Month

Honoring Hispanic Veterans

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we would like to recognize the accomplishments of our Hispanic veterans. This country owes a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices made by Latinx service members and we should have a deep respect for those who come from abroad to serve.

DVS Programs & Initiatives

Mission: VetCheck

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.

Get Food Delivered

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. 

Housing Support & Eviction Prevention

If you're a veteran worried about eviction, please contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov or 212-416-5250.

Helping Veterans File VA Claims

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.  

Get Certified with NYC

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.

SITREP NYC Podcast Season 2

Listen to the complete second season of our SITREP NYC podcast:

Coming Home: Stories of Transition 

The Black Veteran Experience:
Ep 1: Black Veterans Across Generations 
Ep 2: Post 9/11 Black Veterans 
Ep 3: Black Woman. Veteran. (In that Order) 

Stories of LGBT Veterans
Ep 1: Across Generations 
Ep 2: The Black LGBT Veteran 

The Health of Women Veterans:
Ep 1: Motherhood in the Military 
Ep 2: Show No Weakness   
Ep 3: Life After a Combat Injury  
Ep 4: PTSD, MST, & Obstacles to Healing 

• Apple Podcasts   
• Stitcher  

DVS COVID-19 Resource Page

Contact DVS

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​

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

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

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