Inside DVS

Team Highlights &
Staff Spotlights

DVS in Action:
Photo Gallery

What's Next for DVS:
August VAB Meeting

In this Issue:

This has been a busy year for DVS as we determine how to best serve NYC's veterans amid the COVID-19 crisis. In this issue, you will get a deeper look at some of the work we've done and get introduced to the public servants who make it possible.

DVS Teams:

Housing Services & Support (HSS)

Team Highlight:

In July, our HSS team began facilitating virtual screenings for supportive housing studio units located at 3500 Park Avenue, Bronx NY. This location is a newly constructed building with studio apartments reserved for disabled veterans currently experiencing homelessness.

Staff Spotlight:

Veteran Housing Specialist Jaqueline Rodriguez remotely manages HUD VASH Continuum - a program that provides housing vouchers to disconnected veterans.

How Can We Help You?
If you’re a veteran and you’re worried you may get evicted from your home, contact the HSS team now at 212-416-5250 or connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

Engagement & Community Services (ECS)

Team Highlights

In July, our ECS team began processing VA claims for NYC veterans! For more information, contact benefitclaims@veterans.nyc.gov.
Throughout the spring and summer, the ECS team has worked with GetFoodNYC to deliver food to veterans. They have coordinated 410 successful deliveries since the start of the project. Contact connect@veterans.nyc.gov to learn more.

Staff Spotlight:

Amauri Espinal is managing DVS’s partnership with the NYC Department of Small Business Services to help veteran-owned businesses get certified through the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise and Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Certification Programs. Certified businesses have an easier time getting contracts with NYC government agencies and have access to additional business development resources.

Are you a veteran business owner? Contact business@veterans.nyc.gov to learn how to grow your business.

Future Operations

Team Highlight:

In July, DVS 's Future Operations team launched the first-ever DVS Facebook Live event. The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) Live event featured a diverse panel of veterans who shared their experiences in and out of the military. The event also provided a platform for veterans to discuss what inspired them to serve and how they remain engaged in their community. Veteran storytellers included Colin O'Leary, Mitchell Hoover, and Sgt. Shantel Black.

Staff Spotlight:
Team DVS member Greg Williams conceived and moderated the VVP Live event.

Photo Gallery: DVS in Action

Over the past four months, DVS has worked to donate masks to our community partners and prepare meal kits for veterans in need. Here are some snapshots of Team DVS in action:

What's Next for DVS

DVS will participate in the upcoming virtual Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) Meeting on Wednesday, August 19th. The virtual VAB Meeting is designed to inform constituents about the City's efforts to support veterans and their families.

Participants are invited to share their stories, advocate for what's important to them, and ask questions directly to DVS staff and VAB members. Email your questions now to connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

Veterans, military families, advocates, and supporters are all welcomed to join! The VAB Meeting is FREE. No registration required.

WHEN: Wed, 8/19 | 6 - 8 pm
TO JOIN: Follow this link OR call (646) 992-2010
ACCESS CODE: 129 230 2538

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