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NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Weekly Newsletter
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Join the Veterans Advisory Board Meeting
TONIGHT at 6 pm!
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What is the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB)?
The VAB is a group of veterans appointed by the Mayor and the Speaker of the New York City Council to represent veteran constituents in each of the five boroughs. The board holds public meetings throughout the year to advise the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services on the needs of the City's veteran community. The VAB's advisement and recommendations are informed by the veterans and military families who share their stories at these public meetings.
We encourage you to attend the upcoming virtual VAB meeting TODAY, June 17th, from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to:
- learn how the City is serving veterans
- ask questions to NYC officials
- to advocate for issues that are important to you
Your participation is vital!
Join us online. Email questions for the VAB to nycveteransadvisoryboard@gmail.com!
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DVS Program Spotlight
Mission: VetCheck
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Jill Furillo, a retired NYC nurse, volunteers with Mission: VetCheck to make check-in calls to veterans across the City. She provides information on where to get food and how to get tested and vaccinated for COVID-19. She also offers a listening ear to anyone in need of company. Jill was recently spotlighted as one of WCBS Newsradio 880's Difference Makers. Check out her story here.
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NYC Primary Elections:
Everything You Need to Know
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We've included this section, previously featured in last week's newsletter, to ensure that everyone receives information on how to vote in the upcoming primary election:
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WHO’S ON MY BALLOT?: Use the official June 2021 Voter Guide to meet the candidates and learn about their plans for NYC
RANK-CHOICE VOTING: NYC now uses Ranked-Choice Voting for primary and special elections. You can now rank up to five candidates in order of preference. Learn more here.
HOW TO VOTE: There are three ways to vote in NYC’s primary election:
- Early in-person (last day to vote early is Sunday, June 20th)
- By mail (the deadline to request an absentee ballot was Tuesday, June 15th)
- On Election Day (Tuesday, June 22th, polls open from 6 am - 9 pm)
Learn more about how to vote here.
EARLY VOTING: To vote early in the upcoming primary, you must vote at your assigned early voting site, which may be different from your Election Day poll site. Find your early voting poll site here. See below for the early voting schedule:
- Thursday, June 17th: 10 am - 8 pm
- Friday, June 18th: 7 am - 4 pm
- Saturday, June 19th: 8 am - 5 pm
- Sunday, June 20th: 8 am - 4 pm
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Help New York Reopen Safely. Get Vaccinated.
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This week, New York State lifted pandemic restrictions after 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. To help New York safely reopen and ensure that the virus doesn't return, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated if you haven't already done so. Find sites with available appointments here.
In New York City, 8,885,457 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have already been administered. Click here to learn why millions of New Yorkers decided to receive the vaccine.
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DVS Programs and Initiatives
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Take the NYC Veterans and Military Community Survey
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Are you a member of NYC's veteran community? If so, take the NYC Veteran and Military Community Survey today! DVS will use your responses to shape programs and policies designed to improve the lives of veterans, military spouses, caregivers, and active duty service members across the five boroughs. Take the survey here!
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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 submitting your information to VetConnectNYC.
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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, please submit your information to VetConnectNYC.
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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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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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How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
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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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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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