NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS)
February 2018 Newsletter
DVS' monthly newsletter will share information about DVS programs and initiatives, upcoming and recent events, and news affecting NYC veterans and their families. To recommend content or find more information, please connect with us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at press@veterans.nyc.gov.
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Honoring a Hero - Emmanuel Mensah
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City Councilman Ritchie Torres announced plans to honor Pfc. Emmanuel Mensah, who gave his life to save others in a Bronx fire last month. Mensah will also receive a Medal of Valor and a Soldiers Medal from the U.S. Army. |
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Highlights: DVS Public Engagement in January
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National Mentoring Month
January is national mentoring month and we had the opportunity to interview several mentor/mentee pairs from our Mentor A Vet-NYC partners. Read the latest here.
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Veterans Advisory Board
DVS’ Eric Henry and Raymond Toenniessen, IVMF's Director of New Initiatives and External Relations, spoke to a group of pro bono Proskauer attorneys working with the CityBar and Bloomberg LLP about the importance of their work, and broader outreach to New York City veterans. |
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REBNY'S Annual Banquet
On January 18, 2018, NYC Real Estate Board honored top industry leaders for their civic achievements and contributions to the industry. DVS' Tanya Thomas opened the banquet with the Star Spangled Banner.
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Veterans Advisory Board
As part of its mandate, the Veteran's Advisory Board held a quarterly meeting on January 23. Councilman Deutsch, recently appointed as Chair of the Committee on Veterans, gave remarks.
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Featured community resources
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Mental Health Resources
Executive order “Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life" was signed on January 9. It directs the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security to develop a plan to ensure that all new Veterans receive mental health care for at least one year following their separation from service.
For more info, visit VA.gov
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Columbia University Medical Center Examining Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans
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Faculty from Columbia University are conducting a study looking at the use of Equine (horse)-assisted Therapy in treating PTSD (EAT-PTSD). Treatment sessions are held at the Bergen County Equestrian Center.
Horses are “prey” animals, and, by nature, are skittish or hypervigilant. Horses resemble humans in their behavior, particularly in social contexts. EAT-PTSD is a “symptom focused” (not trauma focused) group treatment that is designed to help veterans better recognize and express emotions, interact effectively with others, and engage in critical thinking, through interactions with the horses and with the group when undertaking specific activities with horses. There is no riding.
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Columbia is seeking male and female US military veterans (including Reserve) ages 18-70 to participate in this free treatment study. If you experience nightmares or thoughts about an event when you do not want to, feel constantly on guard, watchful, or easily startled, have feelings of numbness or detachment from others, activities, or your surroundings, you may be eligible to participate in this study.
Eligible participants will receive the PTSD intervention and compensation of up to $400 upon study completion. Transportation and boots are provided. All information is kept strictly confidential.
For more information visit MOWPROJECT.ORG or call Anne Hilburn at (646) 774-8042
** This treatment is considered investigational and is part of a research study. ** IRB #7232
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Columbia University Creative Writing Workshop, Teachers College
Feb. 8, 6:45 - 8:15 pm
Boots to Business Reboot: Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business, James J. Peters VA Medical Center
Feb. 9, 9 - 5 pm
Veterans' College Access Workshop, New York University*
Feb. 9, 10 am - 2 pm
Women's Heart Health Event & Fashion Show, James J. Peters VA Medical Center
Feb. 9, 10 am - 2 pm
Voices from War Open House, 14th Street YMCA*
Feb. 11, 4 - 6 pm
Veteran Business Affairs Council Meeting, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Feb. 13, 9 am - 10:30 am
Free Income Tax Preparation Services, Bronx Vet Center
Feb. 16, 10 am - 4 pm
American Red Cross: Non-Mental Health Providers, 520 West 49th Street*
Feb. 16, 9 am - 12 pm
A Conversation About the Needs of Military & Veteran Communities, 1385 Broadway*
Feb. 22, 12 - 1:30 pm
DVS Office Hours, 118 West 22nd St., 12th Floor
Feb. 27, 5 - 7 pm
* indicates registration required
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DVS in your borough
Connect with DVS without ever leaving your borough! DVS satellite site locations below:
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Brooklyn: Brooklyn Workforce 1 Career Center, 9 Bond Street, 5th floor: Mon & Wed 10-2pm
Bronx: Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Room 209: Tue - Thu 10-2pm
Manhattan: Manhattan Borough President's Office, 431 W 125th Street: Mon & Fri 10-2pm
Queens: Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Room 222: Tue - Thu 10-2pm
Staten Island: Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Rm G-15: Tue-Wed 10am-2pm;
College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Boulevard Campus Center, Rm 216: Mon-Thu 10-2pm
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Team DVS in the Community
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