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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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NYC DVS COVID-19 Vaccine Townhall:
Thursday, March 18th!
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The NYC Department of Veterans' Services and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will host a virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall specifically for NYC's veteran community on Thursday, March 18th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
Join us to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine - including eligibility, how to make an appointment, and the City's distribution plan.
Join us online here or by phone at 646-992-2010.
Access Code: 129 699 6315
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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:
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One year ago this week...
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One year ago this week, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. By the end of March 2020, NYC became the epicenter of the crisis. To honor this moment, we encourage everyone to revisit this New York Times photo essay documenting the heroic efforts and sacrifices made by NYC’s public hospitals during the height of the pandemic.
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“We are accustomed to hearing the fight against this virus described as a war, but even soldiers are not asked to put their families at risk when they go into battle.”
- The New York Times
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The Health Care Heroes over at NYC Health + Hospitals saved this city and we owe them more than we can ever repay.
Double mask and social distance in public, avoid gatherings, get tested often - the least we can do is follow these basic safety guidelines to ensure that NYC's public hospitals aren't overwhelmed again.
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‘My 7-year-old was crying. I told her, ‘Mommy will be back, she just needs to take care of other people right now.’"
- Manjinder Kaur, Director of Nursing at Coney Island Hospital
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COVID-19 Day of Remembrance
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Call 408-418-9388 to hear a live interpretation:
For Spanish, enter code: 129 793 9134
For Cantonese, enter code: 129 883 8862
For Mandarin, enter code: 129 508 6308
Share your stories, photos, and videos with the hashtag #COVIDMemorial. If you would like to submit a photo of a loved one, click here.
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This week, DVS Commissioner James Hendon joined Steve Castleton, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army - New York (South), to meet National Guard service members working the night shift at the Javits Center Vaccination Site. The New York Army National Guard and the New York State Health Department operate the 24/7 vaccination site.
Vaccine Eligibility:
As of March 10th, New York residents ages 60 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Starting March 17th, the following New Yorkers will be eligible:
- Public-facing government and public employees
- Not-for-profit workers who provide public-facing services to New Yorkers in need
- Essential in-person public-facing building service workers (does not include workers at construction sites)
Learn if you're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine here.
Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment
Anyone who's eligible can get vaccinated at any vaccination site except pharmacies, which are still reserved for New Yorkers over 60 years old and teachers.
- Schedule a vaccine 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:
Homebound Veterans
All homebound New Yorkers, including senior veterans and veterans with disabilities, can sign up to receive the vaccine in their homes. NYC wants to reach everyone who needs it in the next seven weeks! Click here to make an appointment.
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.
Vaccine Side Effects
Most people report some side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines, which are usually signs that the body is building protection. Common side effects include soreness or swelling on the arm where you got the shot, headache, body aches, tiredness, and fever. Learn more here.
After You Get Vaccinated
Please continue to wear a mask and socially distance in public after you get vaccinated. See guidelines for fully vaccinated people here.
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NYC Veteran Advisory Board Meeting:
Thursday, March 25th!
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NYC is hosting a virtual Veteran Advisory Board Meeting on Thursday, March 25th, from 6 to 8 pm. The event will feature guest speaker David Shulkin, 9th Secretary of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans, military families, and allies are all welcome to join! This is an opportunity to share your story and have your questions answered.
Join online here or by phone: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 889 4463 7663
Passcode 496746
Send questions to connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Women Veterans Podcast Series:
Show No Weakness
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To honor Women's History Month, we're revisiting our special podcast series focusing on the health of women veterans.
In this installment, women discuss why they didn't report their illnesses and injuries when they served in the military. "They can't know why I'm sick because it's showing weakness.
Listen to 'Show No Weakness" here.
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Military Spouse & Caregiver Scholarships
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Hope For The Warriors is currently accepting applications for their Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program. The program rewards post-9/11 military spouses and caregivers with educational scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. The following scholarships are offered:
- Honorary Scholarship: awarded to those seeking a graduate or post-graduate degree
- New Beginnings Scholarship: awarded to those pursuing an associate degree, entry-level classes, or training
- Restoring Family Scholarship: awarded to spouses of the fallen
- Restoring Hope Scholarship: awarded to a Master of Social Work student
- Restoring Self Scholarship: awarded to those pursuing a bachelor’s degree
The application deadline is April 30th. Learn more and apply 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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