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VetConnectPro:
NYC's New Employment Tool for Veterans
This past Veterans Day, the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) officially launched VetConnectPro - a new employment tool designed to help veterans find employment, professional mentorship, and resources to advance their careers.

VetConnectPro features the following tools to help veterans land a great job in NYC:
  • military skills translator
  • a dashboard with NYC gov job postings
  • information on civil service exams
  • recommended online job training
 Get started by creating or uploading your resume today: nyc.gov/vetconnectpro.

“It’s often challenging for a veteran who has faithfully served our country to translate the highly specialized abilities and skills that they have learned in the military into the civilian sector when they leave. I’m proud that New York City is leading the way, making it easier than ever for veterans to find employment, mentorship, and resources with this first-in-the-nation tool.” - Mayor Bill de Blasio

“When veterans leave the service, they can feel overwhelmed trying to take the wide range of training that they received and showcase their skills to an employer. VetConnectPro makes it easy for them to cut through the differences between the military and civilian world so these highly civically-engaged citizens can find jobs with the city and for NYC agencies to identify, reach, and hire veterans.” - DVS Commissioner James Hendon

Final Veterans Advisory Board
Meeting of 2021: Thurs, 11/18
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: NYC will host the final virtual Veterans Advisory Board Meeting of 2021 on Thursday, 11/18, 6 - 8 pm. The meeting is designed to inform constituents about NYC's efforts to support veterans and their families. All New Yorkers are invited to join.

Participants are encouraged to share their stories, advocate for what's important to them, and ask questions directly to NYC officials. Email your questions to nycveteransadvisoryboard@gmail.com.

Join us on Zoom
Meeting ID: 861 1325 9398
Passcode: 355418

Photo Gallery:
Looking Back at Veterans Day 2021
It was a beautiful day to come together in person and celebrate the veterans of our city with the NYC Veterans Day Mayor's Breakfast and the return of the NYC Veterans Day parade. Take a look at our photo gallery for highlights from the day!

NYC Veterans Day Mayor's Breakfast
Take a look at photos from the NYC Veterans Day Mayor's Breakfast, held at AES NYC's Iron23.

Leaders from the veteran community joined student veterans, activists, veteran business owners, military families, and NYC public servants to honor our service members - past and present. DVS Commissioner James Hendon, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force General CQ Brown, Jr., and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the audience. 

Special thank you to the Bob Woodruff Foundation and History for sponsoring this event.

Photos courtesy of Rxch Porter.

NYC Veterans Day Parade
Team DVS showed up to march in this year's NYC Veterans Day Parade. Thank you to the veteran families who marched alongside us. To those who cheered - know that your support matters!

National Veterans & Military Families Month: Events Rundown
See below for a list of free community events for veterans and their families occurring online and in-person throughout the month:

Saturday, November 13th, 2021 

  • The Bronx Veterans Civics 101

The Bronx County Committeemen Hon. Dion Powell, Bryan Wigfall, and Manuel Rodriguez will host a workshop to educate veterans on how they can run for office. Guest speakers include local veterans who ran for office, including Sammy Ravelo and Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor.

WHEN: Saturday, 11/13 | 12 - 2:00 pm

WHERE:
Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church
1170 Beach Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472

HOW TO JOIN: Register online

Sunday, November 14, 2021 

  • 37th Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade 

Veterans will be honored at the 37th Throggs Neck Veterans Day Parade in the Bronx. The event will kick off at Lafayette and Tremont avenues, turn left onto Randall Avenue, then stop at the Bicentennial Veterans Memorial Park, for a ceremony.

WHEN: Sunday, 11/14 | 12 pm  

WHERE: 

Lafayette Ave and East Tremont Ave
E Tremont Ave & Lafayette Ave
Bronx, NY 10465

HOW TO JOIN: Spectators can join at the start of the parade or along the parade route.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 

  • How to do Business with the MTA

LaGuardia Community College's Procurement Technical Assistance Center will host a webinar for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) looking for government contracting opportunities with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Skanska. This is a great opportunity for NYS-certified SDVOBs, as well as those looking to become certified.

WHEN: Tues, 11/16 |11-12:30 pm

WHERE: Virtual

HOW TO JOIN: Register online

Thursday, November 18, 2021 

  • Salute to Veterans in City Government CityTalk Panel Discussion

DCAS's Office of Citywide Recruitment will host a Salute to Veterans in City Government CityTalk Panel Discussion via Zoom. The event will include a discussion with veteran/City employees on their professional journeys and careers. Attendees will also learn about available careers in city government, assistance for transitioning military job seekers, and the importance of veterans in the City's workforce.

WHEN: Thursday, 11/18 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm 

WHERE: Virtual

HOW TO JOIN: Register online

  • SAGEVets Restoration of Honor Virtual Conference
SAGEVets, in collaboration with the New York State Division of Veterans' Services, will host a Restoration of Honor Virtual Conference. Currently, there are five states that have passed Restoration of Honor (ROH) legislation designed to restore honor to LGBT veterans who were discharged for their sexual orientation or gender identity. SAGEVets will bring together representatives from Rhode Island, Illinois, Connecticut, and New York to discuss each state’s ROH legislation and how other states can get involved. This panel will be moderated by Kristen L. Rouse, Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, at the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services. Panelists include:

- Illinois State Representative Joyce Mason
- Colorado State Representative David Ortiz
- Kasim Yarn, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services
- Thomas J. Saadi, Esq., Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
- Benjamin Pomerance, Esq., Deputy Director for Program Development at the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services
- Ashton Stewart, SAGEVets Program Manager

WHEN: Thurs, 11/18 | 6 - 7:30 pm

WHERE: Virtual

HOW TO JOIN: Register online

Sunday, November 21, 2021 
  • Free Thanksgiving Luncheon for Veterans
The Manresa Knights of Columbus Council #2147 is hosting a Thanksgiving luncheon for all veterans.

WHEN: Sunday, 11/ 21 | 12:00 pm

WHERE: 
Manresa Knights of Columbus Council #2147 
185 Cedar Grove Ave
Staten Island, NY 10306

HOW TO JOIN: Please contact Robert Dugan (347-992-1895) or James DeFrancesco (917-903-8701)

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 
  • Harlem Vet Center Vietnam Veterans Virtual Meeting

The Harlem Vet Center will hold a virtual meeting for Vietnam veterans. The goal of this meeting is to build relationships with fellow veterans, meet professional health counselors, and find comfort and meeting from each participant's military service. 

WHEN: Tuesday, 11/ 23, 1 - 2:00 pm

WHERE: Virtual

HOW TO JOIN: Contact Amy Margratten at amy.margratten@va.gov

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 
  • Harlem Vet Center Vietnam Veterans Virtual Meeting

The Harlem Vet Center will hold a virtual meeting for Vietnam veterans. The goal of this meeting is to build relationships with fellow veterans, meet professional health counselors, and find comfort and meeting from each participant's military service. 

WHEN: Tuesday, 11/ 30, 1 - 2:00 pm

WHERE: Virtual

HOW TO JOIN: Contact Amy Margratten at amy.margratten@va.gov

Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

VACCINE UPDATE:

Children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine! Walk into any City-run vaccination site or head to nyc.gov/vaccinefinder to make an appointment.

"With the vaccine, we have a chance to make COVID-19 largely a vaccine-preventable disease among kids, similar to chickenpox, rubella, and rotavirus - all diseases for which childhood immunization is now routine. Let’s do the same for COVID-19 and keep our kids safe." - Dave A. Chokshi, MD, Commissioner of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

How to Receive Your First Dose

Schedule Online:
You can schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692).

Walk-ins Welcome:
New Yorkers can get their COVID-19 vaccine by simply walking into any of the CIty's 11 public hospital locations! To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, click here. 

Get Vaccinated at Home:
All New Yorkers can request an in-home vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. Fill out this form to get started or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

Information on the COVID-19 Boosters

A COVID booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer.

Who is Eligible for a Booster Shot
For those who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at least 6 months after their initial doses:

Adults who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago, and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, are eligible for a third dose of the vaccine, as part of their initial vaccination series. 

People 18 and over who received the J&J vaccine at least two months ago are eligible for a booster and should get one. 

Mixing COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
CDC’s recommendations now allow eligible individuals to choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Eligible New Yorkers can choose any of the three vaccines (at least 6 months after their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer).

For J&J recipients, all three vaccines are fine as a booster, but limited data shows that a Moderna or Pfizer booster could offer more antibodies.

If you’re not sure which one you should get, speak with your doctor or clinical staff at a vaccine site.

How to Get a Booster
Booster shots are available at City-run sites. Schedule an appointment here. 

DVS Programs and Initiatives

Get the Benefits You Deserve
DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).

Mission: VetCheck
Mission: VetCheck volunteers make check-in calls to veterans across NYC. Through these calls, volunteers provide veterans with information regarding vital public services, including free meals, information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and mental health resources. To volunteer with Mission: VetCheck or request a check-in call, click here.

Fighting Veteran Homelessness
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.

VetBizNYC: NYC's Veteran-Owned Business Map

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services has launched VetBizNYC, an interactive map that identifies veteran-owned businesses across NYC. New Yorkers can use VetBizNYC to find veteran-owned businesses near them and support those who served!

Veterans Voices Project

The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of NYC's Veterans. For more information, visit nyc.gov/vetvoices.

How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
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.

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

Contact DVS
Please follow us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. 

  

 
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New York City Department of Veterans' Services 
1 Centre Street, Suite 2208
New York, NY 10007 
(212) 416-5250
www.nyc.gov/vets


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