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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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REMINDER:
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 for NYC's veteran community TONIGHT (Thursday, March 18th), 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
Hear the most up-to-date vaccine information - including who's eligible and how to make an appointment - and have your questions answered.
Join online here or call 646-992-2010 to join by phone.
Access Code: 129 699 6315
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Veteran & Military Community Survey
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Are you a veteran, active duty service member, reservist, guardsman, veteran family member, military spouse, or military caregiver who lives in New York City? If so, DVS wants to hear from you!
DVS is conducting a survey to help NYC policymakers identify potential service gaps and better understand the needs of the veteran community. Take the Veteran and Military Community Survey to help make this city the best home in the country for active duty service members, veterans, and military families. Your response will remain anonymous unless you opt-in to receive support services from DVS.
Take the survey here!
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NYC Veteran Advisory Board Meeting:
Thursday, March 25th!
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ATTN veterans and military families:
Have questions for NYC government officials?
Interested in hearing from the former secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Want to share your story or advocate for a cause?
If so, join the virtual Veterans Board Meeting next Thursday, March 25th, at 6 pm.
Join online here or call (646) 558-8656 to join by phone.
Meeting ID: 889 4463 7663
Passcode 496746
Send questions to connect@veterans.nyc.gov.
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New York Helmets to Hardhats:
Virtual Open House
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Veterans interested in a career in union construction are invited to join New York Helmets to Hardhats' Virtual Open House.
WHEN: April 12th -14th | 5:30 pm
Register here.
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John D. Solomon
Fellowship for Public Service
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The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is a student fellowship devoted specifically to emergency management. The program provides 10 graduate students with the opportunity to complete a nine-month, paid fellowship in an NYC government agency or nonprofit organization. This is a great opportunity for student veterans.
Fellows engage in a wide variety of activities, including representing their agency at local government meetings, undertaking various individual and agency-directed projects, organizing and participating in local government community service projects, and working toward enhancing the preparedness and resilience of NYC.
TO APPLY: The application, eligibility requirements, and selection details can be found here. Applications must be received by midnight on March 22.
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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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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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"This is James Hendon, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans' Services, urging all NYC veterans to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots. It is safe. It is effective. And it is part of the pathway to recovery for NYC in the wake of the pandemic. I had my shot earlier today."
On Thursday, March 18th, DVS Commissioner Hendon rolled up his sleeve at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx, NY) to get the COVID-19 vaccine!
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Protect Yourself and Your City
Double mask and social distance in public, avoid gatherings, get tested often.
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility:
As of March 17th, the following New Yorkers are 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) 584-9000 ext. 4640, Monday through Friday - 8:30-4:00-pm.
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.
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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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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