Here’s the latest for veterans and families across the NYC Metro area:
NEWS
Scams Targeting Veterans’ Pensions, Benefits Raise Worry Among VA Officials VA officials are warning about an increase in scams targeting veterans’ pensions, especially for seniors. Pension theft can occur when an outside party convinces veterans to shift their payouts to a new bank account or to a separate financial product. Veterans can then be denied access to their money. When veterans’ bank accounts are changed without explanation, it triggers an internal check with the VA to check for fraud. However, other schemes may be more difficult to detect. VA officials have made outreach efforts to remind veterans that VA does not charge to process applications for benefits and services, and that it is against the law for an outside part to charge for preparing benefits applications. Charles Tapp II, chief financial officer for the Veterans Benefits Administration urges veterans who might be confused about available services or benefits to contact VA’s National Call Center at 1-800-827-1000. If anyone calls about veterans benefits and asks for personal information, the interaction is likely a scam. More information on potential scams is available at the Veterans Benefits Administration web site.
Budget Hang-ups Slow Sexual Assault Prevention Reforms In September, the Pentagon began the years-long implementation plan for more than 80 recommendations for the Defense Department’s sexual assault prevention and response programs that came from an independent review commission. The changes to the military justice system have been put in place, with sexual assault prosecutors being assigned by an independent organization, taking decision-making out of the hands of unit commanders. However, the hiring of a dedicated workforce to administer prevention and response programs, one of the cornerstones of the plan, has been delayed for budgetary reasons. Congress did not pass a full year’s budget until March 10th, so the money was only appropriated at that time. Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said that the department must now begin to hire mental health professionals for these important roles. Hicks commented that the DoD will be conducting installation-level reviews to decide where to best place the sexual assault prevention staff.
EVENTS
“Don’t Privatize My VA, Save My VA” Manhattan VA Hospital Rally The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) will hold a rally “Don’t Privatize My VA, Save My VA” at the Manhattan VA Hospital on Monday, April 18, 12pm. The AFGE rejects any AIR Commission proposals that close VA medical facilities, reduce VA services, or cut the jobs of those who care for our nation’s veterans. These proposals are bad for veterans, bad for VA workers, and bad for the VA. Join them as they rally VA workers and allies to Save My VA!
Harlem Vet Center Vietnam Veterans Virtual Meeting The Harlem Vet Center will hold a virtual meeting for Vietnam veterans on Tuesday, April 19, 1-2pm (Eastern Time). 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.
Sergeant’s Time at the Bronx Vet Center The Bronx Vet Center presents Sergeant’s Time: Understanding Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a virtual presentation on Tuesday, April 19, 6-7pm EDT via Webex. Learn about what EMDR is, how it compares to other types of therapy, and where you can find an EMDR provider.
US Mint Veterans Virtual Career Fair The US Mint will hold its inaugural Veterans Virtual Career Fair on Wednesday, April 20, 11am-2pm. Explore rewarding careers with the U.S. Mint that serve the American people through the manufacture of coins and national medals. Veterans make up about a third of the Mint’s current workforce. Entry to mid-level positions are available in manufacturing, engineering, IT, law enforcement, and administrative areas. There are openings at the Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; and West Point, NY production facilities, as well as at the Mint’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
Stress Reduction Webinar for Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia The GRECC (Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers) DEP (Dementia Education Program), funded by the VA Geriatrics Scholars Program, invites all caregivers of veterans with dementia to join them virtually via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, April 20, 1pm EDT as they explore the topic of stress-reduction and self-care for caregivers of veterans with dementia or memory loss. The purpose of this monthly seminar series is to present caregivers with useful information and techniques from the Whole Health approach to help reduce stress and practice self-care.
Manhattan Vet Center Self-Care is Not Selfish Series The Manhattan Vet Center will offer a series, Self Care is Not Selfish, that will meet every other Wednesday at the Vet Center. On Wednesday, April 20, 4pm the session is on Setting Goals. This series will be facilitated by Najwah Williams, LMSW, Readjustment Counselor.
Warrior Writers Wednesday Writing Workshop Warrior Writers invites you to join them for a virtual Wednesday Writing Workshop on Wednesday, April 20, 7-9pm EDT. This generative creative writing workshop will offer prompts that cover a variety of military issues and experiences. This encourages sharing stories, opinions, and ideas for productive writing/reflecting/story-telling and art-making. A highlight of these workshops for many veterans is having a space to release bottled-up thoughts and emotions among others who understand, creating a sense of empowerment in the ability to tell their own story. By creating an open and accepting atmosphere, we build a community of support. Workshops are for any service member or veteran regardless of experiences with writing, combat, art, deployment, etc. You do not need to be a “writer” to join. Facilitated by Tanya Whitney and Angela Waller.
Harlem Vet Center Post 9/11 Veterans Virtual Meeting The Harlem Vet Center will hold a virtual meeting for post 9/11 veterans on Thursday, April 21, 3-4pm (Eastern Time). 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.
BSF Creative Writing Workshop for Military, Veterans, Caregivers & Spouses Blue Star Families and Community Building Artworks will host an online Creative Writing Workshop for Military, Veterans, Caregivers & Spouses on Thursday, April 21, 3:30-4:30pm EDT. Back by popular demand! It’s time to tell your story. Join Community Building Artworks and author Laura Van Prooyen for a virtual creative writing workshop. She’s led workshops in the past with veterans, service members, military spouses, caregivers, health care workers, and university students, so you won’t want to miss this! Writing is a powerful tool for communication, self-discovery, and reflection. Together over Zoom, you’ll read a short piece of writing, see what makes it work, and use it to enter into your own stories. No writing experience required—if you can talk, you can write.
Combined Arms Institute Panel Discussion: Military Kids: They Are Not All The Same The Combined Arms Institute’s Family Collaboration Committee will recognize the Month of the Military Child with an online panel discussion, Military Kids: They Are Not All The Same, on Thursday, April 21, 4pm EDT. During this Month of the Military Child, they want to draw your attention to some of the unique subsets of the military child population. As we bring forward the voices and needs of military children, there are often groups of children missing from the conversation. Combined Arms aims to change that and invites you to their panel discussion as they explore how the community can support children with exceptional needs, those coping with divorce and separation from the military, LGBTQIA+ children and children who have a parent/guardian serving in a training command.
BSF Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees Earth Day Event for Kids Blue Star Families will host Pando: A Living Wonder of Trees, an online Earth Day event for kids with author Kate Allen Fox, on Thursday, April 21, 5-6pm EDT. Come learn about this wonder of trees just in time for Earth Day! Pando is an inspiring tribute to a Utah grove of quaking Aspen trees connected by their roots to form one of the world’s oldest and largest living things. Author Kate Allen Fox engages readers’ senses to help convey the vastness of Pando, the challenges it faces, and how we all can be part of the solution. Author Kate Allen Fox will guide children on a talk about what inspired her to write the book, how it was developed, and why Pando is so important. She’ll also be taking kids’ questions along the way. Register and join BSF for this event and your family could be one of 10 lucky families to receive a free copy of the book!
Understanding the Impact of Military Sexual Trauma Webinar The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Group, in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Center of NY (SPCNY) will present Understanding the Impact of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), a webinar on Thursday, April 21, 6pm EDT. Panelists are veterans of the US Army, US Air Force, and US Coast Guard from Dwyer programs across the state, and they will share their personal stories of survivorship and resilience, as well as focus on how veterans’ services can be more aware and attuned to help. The event will also feature information about Dwyer programs across New York and how veterans can connect with additional support.
WVE&T Empowerment Writing Workshop for All Veterans Women Veterans Empowered & Thriving (WVE&T) will hold an Empowerment Writing Workshop for All Veterans online on Thursday, April 21, 6:30-8:30pm EDT. Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T. Learn to schedule time for yourself without apologies; practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally; empower yourself from within; practice observing without judgment. Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU! Previous artistic experience not necessary.
Return to Joy Online Meditation Workshop The Queens Vet Center, with Visiting Nurses of NY, will host a Return to Joy Meditation Workshop via Zoom on Friday, April 22, 11am-12pm (Eastern Time). Meditation has been used for thousands of years, even all the way back to ancient Egypt. It has helped many people center themselves, learn to focus better and even become more in tune with themselves. This online workshop is offered every Friday. Facilitated by Erica M. Wrigley, RN, BSN, MS.
BSF Earth Day Beach Clean Up on Staten Island Join the Coast Guard Enlisted Association, Starbucks and Blue Star Families to clean the beach and celebrate Earth Day at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island on Friday, April 22, 11am-1pm. Meet at the Coast Guard Family Housing Gazebo. Starbucks will provide the caffeine to get moving and BSF will provide special Earth Day giveaways.
HVNCVR PTSD Group The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration (HVNCVR) will hold a PTSD Group on Friday, April 22, 3-4pm at HVNCVR and online via Zoom. Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war. Join this group for open discussions and activities to help PTSD. Call ahead, walk in, or join virtually via Zoom.
Intrepid Museum College Fair Day Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will host a College Fair Day at the Museum on Saturday, April 23 from 11:00am-2:00pm. Current high school students, youth, and families are invited to visit and learn about the college application process and more. This program is most appropriate for college ready teens, youth and adult chaperones/parents.
WVE&T Empowerment Writing Workshop for Women Veterans Only Women Veterans Empowered & Thriving (WVE&T) will hold an Empowerment Writing Workshop for Women Veterans Only online on Sunday, April 24, 1-3pm EDT. Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T. Learn to schedule time for yourself without apologies; practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally; empower yourself from within; practice observing without judgment. Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU! Previous artistic experience not necessary.
Check out all upcoming events at OurVeterans.NYC!
BULLETIN BOARD
NY Mets Military Transition Summit The New York Mets will be hosting a free Military Transition Summit at CitiField on Saturday, May 7, 9:30am-2:30pm. There will be a variety of resources that help with different aspects of transitioning into civilian life. The day will include workshops, panel, lunch, networking session with companies, colleges and veteran service non-profit organizations, and a tour of Citi Field.
VA Veteran Voter Registration Survey Help VA best assist Veterans like you in registering to vote! As part of VA’s “whole health” approach to care, they believe that it is part of their duty to Veterans and their families to ensure that you are able to exercise the right to vote that you fought and served to protect. Click the link to take the survey.
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (TVC) is the leading national 501(c)(3) charity providing free legal services in federal venues for veterans in need. TVC operates a global federal Veterans Pro Bono Program on behalf of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to represent veterans unjustly denied benefits or compensation earned from military service.
Camp Corral Summer Camp Applications Open Camp Corral is now accepting applications for Summer Camp for children ages 8-15 and for Family Camp. Camp Corral is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of children of this nation’s wounded, ill, and fallen military heroes. Since its inception in 2011, Camp Corral has served nearly 29,000 children from every state in the nation with resilience-based programs focused upon the very unique attributes and challenges shared by military-connected children across the country. In keeping with a vision to empower military children to live their best lives possible, the Camp Corral team develops and delivers specialized programming created to meet the needs of these children and their families. Along with fun traditional summer camp programs designed to provide respite, build peer-support connections, strengthen self-confidence, and reinforce coping skills, Camp Corral offers family camp retreats, virtual therapeutic art programs, peer connection activities, as well as holistic supportive services.
VA Women’s Health Reengagement Training It’s never too late to enroll in VA health care services. If you’re looking for women-centered health care, sign up for the VA Women’s Health Reengagement Training (heaRT) to gain a better understanding of how VA can support your health care needs. VA’s Office of Women’s Health (OWH) has pioneered 30 years of health research and programming for women Veterans. Now, OWH is launching a new program – the VA Women’s Health Reengagement Training (heaRT). This program will help you understand what VA health care services are available and how to access them.
New York State Parks Lifetime Liberty Pass The Lifetime Liberty Pass permits qualified New York State veterans with disabilities discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the Office Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Once issued, the Lifetime Liberty Pass will never have to be renewed! The Lifetime Liberty Pass benefits include free vehicle entry to state parks and DEC-operated day-use areas, as well as numerous state boat launch sites, historic sites, arboretums and park preserves; free golf at 28 State Park golf courses; free swimming pool entrance at 36 State Park pools, and discounted camping and cabin rentals at all 119 State Park and DEC campgrounds.
Big Apple Honor Flight Applications Still Open Big Apple Honor Flight recognizes American veterans for your sacrifices and achievements by flying you to Washington, D.C. to see YOUR memorial at no cost. Top priority (for which they are currently accepting applications) is given to World War II, Korean War, and terminally ill veterans from all wars. The Honor Flight will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2022. In the future, BAHF will be expanded to include Cold War and Vietnam War veterans. Applications from these veterans will be kept on file and they will be notified when BAHF begins to accept applications from their wars. BAHF does not currently have a timeline for when this will occur. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience. If you know of someone who is a World War II or Korean War veteran or a veteran with a terminal illness, please fill out an application.
JHP Photography Workshop at the Harlem Vet Center The Harlem Vet Center invites you to join the Josephine Herrick Project (JHP) veterans photography group for a 12-week online workshop that will begin on Thursday, May 5, 12:45-2:15pm EDT. This is a great opportunity to discover a new hobby and enjoy the world of image making. Space is limited and participants must meet Vet Center eligibility requirements.
African Drumming Workshop for Veterans The Harlem Vet Center will host a free African Drumming Workshop for Veterans on Fridays, 6:00-7:30pm beginning on Friday, May 20th. The workshop will be led by National Heritage Fellow and Guinian master drummer Sidiki Conde. Presented in partnership with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance. This program will aim to help veterans share their stories of trauma and loss, healing and growth through the medium of music. Allowing them to express complex and painful emotions in a way they may have felt incapable of doing in the past. Veterans and their families are invited to participate. Space is limited to 10 participants. Participants must meet vet center eligibility requirements.
Join the Veteran Business Leadership Association The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services has launched the Veteran Business Leadership Association (VBLA). The Veteran Business Leadership Association’s primary mission is to serve Veterans who are seeking support and assistance with running a business and in their pursuit of New York City Government contracting opportunities. The leadership association will engage with the private sector, government, advisory board, and local partners to build a consortium to facilitate the growth and development of Veteran Businesses.
Check out more opportunities on our Bulletin Board!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Antiterrorism Security Specialist Position at Fort Hamilton The US Army Corp of Engineers is seeking an Antiterrorism Security Specialist at Fort Hamilton in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This is a permanent, full-time GS-12 position with an annual salary range of $92,245-$119,922. You will work under the direct operational supervision of the Chief, Security and Law Enforcement and the administrative supervision of the Major Support Command’s Chief, Readiness and Contingency Operations. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 20th.
Con Edison General Utility Worker Positions Con Edison is seeking General Utility Workers in various locations. This is a full-time position. This is a career position with promotion opportunities available in the department. Veterans are encouraged to apply. Because this position requires you to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) weighting between 10,000-26,000 pounds and possess a Department of Transportation medical examiner’s certificate, you are prohibited from using Marijuana and you will be tested for Marijuana as part of the DOT physical exam. If extended a job offer, you will be required to obtain certifications from the American Red Cross for Standard First-Aid, CPR and Blood Borne Pathogens at your cost. Application deadline is Tuesday, April 26th.
Successful candidates must:
Check out more opportunities on our Job Opportunities page!
Have a safe and healthy week!
