|
NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
|
|
DVS Commissioner Hendon
on the Derek Chauvin Verdict
|
|
|
"It signals that the country is slowly moving towards being a place where my life as a Black person has value equal to that of someone else."
|
|
Since the founding of our nation, Americans from groups that have been historically oppressed or discriminated against who serve in the military almost all ask themselves, at some point, deep down inside, “Why us? Why are we disproportionately treated this way? What did we as a group do to you?” There are logical, fact-based answers to these questions—all rooted in America’s history—and ways to systemically characterize things that remove emotion. The feelings behind these thoughts—the soul-searching meditation on the question of “why”—remains the same.
To this point, the recent verdict in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for which Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd accomplishes three things.
One, it underscores every Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman, and Coast Guardsman’s resolve to fight and die for this country even when those of us who are underrepresented—particularly those of us who are Black—feel its proverbial knee on the back of our necks. We believe in everything that America can be, and we fight for it no matter what.
Two, the verdict and the battle for justice leading up to it remind us fundamentally that, not only in terms of national security but also domestically, freedom is not free. No one has yet to fully resolve the American experiment. The act of ensuring that the United States is a place where everyone—regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation—can equally excel is an ongoing struggle. It is ill-informed to believe that work no longer needs to be done on this endeavor. Every generation has fought towards this. The continued firmament of a multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural democracy is our generation’s fight.
Three, steps forward like this take some—just some—of the sting away from meditative questions rooted in “Why?” It signals that the country is slowly moving towards being a place where my life as a Black person has value equal to that of someone else. This equation was never in balance for our ancestors. Currently, it is not in balance for most people who look like me. I have hope because, one travail at a time, we are taking measures towards making this a reality for our descendants—and future Minority Veterans.”
|
|
James Hendon is the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve.
|
|
|
A Message from J.R. Martinez
|
|
|
|
J.R. Martinez encourages NYC veterans, military families, caregivers, and active duty service members to take the Veteran and Military Community Survey.
|
|
|
J.R. Martinez - U.S. Army veteran, motivational speaker, and Dancing with the Stars winner - has an important message for all NYC veterans, military families, and active duty service members:
“I’m encouraging you to take NYC’s Veteran and Military Community Survey. The NYC Department of Veterans' Services will use the responses from this survey to create new programs that will benefit you during this very difficult time. So, don’t wait!... By taking part, you will ensure that New York City continues to provide top-notch care to those who sacrificed to protect our country.”
The man speaks the truth! Take the survey here.
|
|
Free Groceries for Veterans!
|
|
|
Throughout April, DVS and the NYC Department of Probation have hosted Veterans-Only Pop-ups to provide veterans and their families free groceries. Our final Pop-up will be held this upcoming Thursday. If you're in need of food, please attend - if not, spread the word!
WHEN: Thursday, April 29th | 9:00 am -12:00 pm
WHERE: 198 E 161 Street, Bronx, NY 10451 (parking lot)
|
|
Attention Women Veterans!
|
|
Panel for Women in Uniformed Services
|
|
DVS has partnered with the New York City Commission on Human Rights to host a panel discussion on local and state human rights laws designed to protect women in uniformed services. Panelists will also present available resources for women who serve.
WHEN: Thursday, April 29th | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
REGISTER here
|
|
Upcoming Veterans Advisory Board Meeting
|
|
NYC will hold a virtual Veterans Advisory Board Meeting on Thursday, April 29th! Veterans, family members, and allies are welcome to attend to learn how the City is supporting the veteran community. Share your story, advocate for issues that are important to you, ask questions to NYC policymakers.
WHEN: Thursday, April 29th | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
JOIN online here or by phone at 646-558-8656
MEETING ID: 886 5879 1328
Passcode: 477784
Submit questions to connect@veterans.nyc.gov
|
|
Put Your Veteran-Owned Business on the Map
|
|
Per the Small Business Administration (SBA), veterans are 45% more likely to be self-employed than non-veterans, likely because they return from the military with the skills necessary to become successful entrepreneurs and business owners.
DVS is devoted to promoting veteran entrepreneurship and supporting veteran-owned businesses (VOBs). That's why we're launching an online interactive map that will help New Yorkers find VOBs in their community.
Veterans business owners can add their information to the upcoming VOB map here.
|
|
'Five Years of Service' Spotlight:
VA Claims Unit
|
|
Helping Veterans Process Benefits Claims
|
|
|
One of our proudest accomplishments over the past five years is the great work of our VA Claims Unit, which represents veterans in claims for education, disability, and survivor benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Get help with your claim by filling out the form at nyc.gov/vetconnect.
|
|
Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship:
Deadline to Apply is Fri, April 30th!
|
|
|
Hope For The Warriors is 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 next Friday, April 30th. Learn more and apply here.
|
|
Virtual Events for Military Families
|
|
Celebrate Month of the Military Child
|
|
Email benjamin.pomerance@veterans.ny.gov to register for any of the following events:
Baseball Hall of Fame Tour: Swing away and join a virtual tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
WHEN: Saturday, April 24th | 12:30 pm
Meet the Otters: Swim with river otters during a virtual trip at the Wild Center's Otter Falls.
WHEN: Saturday, May 1st | 2:00 pm
|
|
Digital Toolkit to Support Caregivers
|
|
|
The Metropolitan Jewish Health System has published a digital toolkit to help caregivers care for trauma survivors and Holocaust survivors with sensitivity at the end of life. View the toolkit here.
|
|
|
Each week, we will dedicate a section of our newsletter to COVID-19 updates. This section will be updated weekly to reflect new developments:
|
|
COVID-19 Testing
NYC still has COVID tests available for free all around the city. Find a location at nyc.gov/covidtest. In addition to testing locations, New Yorkers can also get a fast test at a COVID-19 mobile testing site! To learn if a mobile testing site will be in your neighborhood, click here.
Vaccine Eligibility & Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment
Any New Yorker over 16 years old is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine (please note: people who are 16 or 17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine). Learn more here.
Schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). For other locations that may have appointments available visit:
Scheduling an Appointment at the VA:
Call 1-877-877-9267 to make an appointment at one of the following VA locations:
- Manhattan VA Medical Center
- Brooklyn VA Medical Center
- Staten Island Community VA Clinic
- St. Albans VA Medical Center
Call (718) 584-9000 ext. 4640 to schedule an appointment at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx VA).
In-home Vaccinations
The City's in-home vaccination program, which had been on a pause along with all Johnson & Johnson vaccine administrations in NYC, resumed this week using the Moderna vaccine. To learn more call 877-829-4692 or click here.
Update on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
Per U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance, NYC paused Johnson & Johnson vaccinations as the City awaits the results of an investigation to determine risk factors. New Yorkers who scheduled a Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointment have been rescheduled for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
After You Get Vaccinated
See guidelines for fully vaccinated people here.
Vaccines Are Safe
According to the CDC, "COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective." Learn more here. Most people report some side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines, which are usually signs that the body is building protection. Learn more here.
Vaccine FAQ
Do you still have questions? Check out NYC's Vaccine FAQ here.
Funeral Expenses
FEMA is providing financial assistance for funeral expenses occurring after January 20th, 2020, for deaths related to COVID-19. Covered expenses include the transfer of remains, burial plots, caskets, clergy services, cremation, headstones, and more. Learn more and apply to receive financial assistance here.
|
|
DVS Programs & Initiatives
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Housing Veterans During the Pandemic
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Making Calls to Veterans Across NYC
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Veteran Voices Project: Oral History Initiative
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
|
|
LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
|
|
|
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:
|
|
|
Support a Veteran:
Media:
Contact Us:
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
