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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Honoring Military Spouses
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DVS Commissioner Hendon on Military Spouses
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“We honor military spouses and the unsung contributions these partners make to support the Armed Forces and keep our country safe. On any given day, these spouses face intense stressors such as regularly upending their lives or worrying about their partners who are in harm’s way.
They ask for little in return for this sacrifice. In New York City, there are 210,000 Veterans, but that number doesn’t include the spouses that are in the foxhole with them day in and day out.
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They may not have put on a uniform, but their selflessness provides a vital contribution to our country’s safety. Thank you for your service.”
- James Hendon, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans' Services
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CCHR Commissioner Malalis
on Protections for Military Spouses & Veterans
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“The City Human Rights Law recognizes the service and sacrifice of uniformed service members, Veterans, and their spouses and partners by including strong protections from discrimination in areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations. For example, in New York City, Veteran spouses cannot be denied housing because they seek to cover their rent with benefits from the GI Bill.
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It is also illegal for a military spouse to be denied a job based on employer concerns that they will be distracted while their partner is deployed or will have to leave the job when their partner is transferred to a new station."
- Carmelyn P. Malalis, Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights
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Click here to learn how the New York City Human Rights Law protects service members and military spouses from discrimination.
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Help Military Families by Taking the
NYC Veteran & Military Community Survey
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Veterans, active duty service members, military spouses, and caregivers: Have you taken the NYC Veteran and Military Community Survey yet? This is your chance to help shape the programs and policies created to serve NYC's military families. Take the survey here!
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Donate Essential Items to
Veterans and Military Families in Need
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Backpacks For Life is looking for donations of gloves, hats, notebooks, pens, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, first aid kit, washcloths, mini flashlights, and other essential items for veteran families in need.
Drop off items at Sunrise of New Dorp by Thursday, May 20th:
470 New Dorp Lane
Staten Island, NY 10306
For a full list of items contact 718-355-3805 or NewDorp.DOS@sunriseseniorliving.com.
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Military Families & Caregiver Resource Page
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- Childhood Education
- Caregiver Support
- Domestic Violence
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Military Spouses
- End-of-Life Planning
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COVID-19 Information & Resources
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Walk-ins Welcomed!
Every New Yorker, 16 and up, can now walk into any City-run vaccine site and get a COVID-19 vaccine - no appointment needed, no zip code requirement. To find a City-run vaccine site, click here.
You can still schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692). To find other locations that may have appointments available visit:
Please note: People who are 16 or 17 years old are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Walk-ins also Welcomed at VA New York Harbor Vaccine Clinics:
VA NY Harbor Healthcare System is now accepting walk-ins for the Pfizer and Jonson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations:
- Manhattan VA Medical Center
- Brooklyn VA Medical Center
- Staten Island Community VA Clinic
- St. Albans VA Medical Center
VA vaccination clinics are open between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Veterans, spouses, caregivers are all welcome! You can still schedule an appointment at any one of these locations by calling 1-877-877-9267.
Call (718) 584-9000 ext. 4640 to schedule an appointment at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx VA).
In-home Vaccinations
If you are a homebound veteran, you can schedule an in-home vaccination by calling 877-829-4692 or by filling out the request form here.
After You Get Vaccinated
See guidelines for fully vaccinated people here.
Vaccine Facts
Wondering what the COVID-19 vaccines are made of? In addition to the messenger (such as mRNA or the modified adenovirus), the vaccines contain ingredients like lipids, salts, sugar and certain acids to help the vaccine work inside your body.
The vaccines do NOT contain:
❎ Antibiotics
❎ Blood products
❎ Fetal tissue or human cells
❎ Gelatin
❎ Gluten
❎ Mercury
❎ Microchips
❎ Pork or other animal products
Learn more here.
Have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Check out NYC's Vaccine FAQ here.
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.
In general, people who had COVID-19 in the past 3 months and recovered and people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to be tested, unless they have COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms, be sure to get tested as soon as possible.
Continue to Take Precautions!
COVID-19 is still here, which means we all must continue to take precautions to prevent the spread. Everyone, including those of us who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear a mask when outdoors. Learn more here.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home. Do not leave home except to get essential medical care (including testing for COVID-19) or to get basic needs such as groceries, if someone can not get them for you. Learn more here.
FEMA Funeral Support
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.
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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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Put Your Veteran-Owned Business on the Map
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DVS is 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.
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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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Ending Veteran Homelessness in NYC
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Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. 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:
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