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Demonstrating Success

Demonstrating Success

This week’s profile is Grant Collins, who wears many hats as part of the Fedcap organization. He is not only senior vice president, Workforce Development, of The Fedcap Group but also president of Fedcap Inc., which consists of Fedcap UK and Fedcap Canada.

Grant views the work of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services from the unique position of growing up in a military family. “It’s a hard life for families and certainly on those who return from service overseas,” he says. From his perspective, it’s important to recognize the struggles of military families. He sees a need to enact programs and services in the community that can serve as a resource to enable veterans and their families to succeed where they live.

Grant firmly considers Dixon Center to be relevant and important given the volume of work needed to enable the successful re-integration of veterans and military families into communities. He sees as a challenge the myriad veterans service organizations in the United States, pointing out that even he, a member of a military family, has trouble distinguishing one from another.

Dixon Center is different because he sees the organization as preparing entire communities for veterans’ returns, working with existing organizations and companies to upgrade older veterans’ skills and get the newly transitioned veterans into living wage professions. Grant can point a direct line from the ideas espoused by Dixon Center to the non-profit rallying communities to ensure the right resources are available to its constituents.

“I see the reports every quarter, and Dixon Center is always among the top three Fedcap Group programs that produce the most job placements,” he states. “I know tangibly that it is working.”

For more information about The Fedcap Group or Dixon Center, please contact Duncan Milne, President, dmilne@dixoncenter.org.

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Why Connection Matters

Why Connection Matters

This week’s profile is Carol Khoury, chief financial officer of The Fedcap Group and a notable advocate of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.

Carol sees her role as ensuring that the work and the plans of Dixon Center are supported by The Fedcap Group. She views herself as “the support that frees the ‘program people’ up so that they can do their work and concentrate 100 percent on social services.”

Carol began her professional career with the Peace Corps, and found that the social service environment was a good fit. While she has not previously worked with veterans or military families, she believes it suits The Fedcap Group. “The general mission of The Fedcap Group is removing barriers to independence and aiding people in their desires to be productive citizens of society,” she says. “The veterans’ space is a major area where people are experiencing these barriers.”

In her eyes, Dixon Center’s work runs the spectrum from directing a veteran to assistance in the community to implementing systems-level change. It is all to improve the way veterans are viewed and supported in the communities where they live.

Carol appreciates the leadership’s personal connection with those who are involved with the mission, citing the penchant of Dixon Center’s chairman, Colonel David Sutherland, US Army (Ret.) for writing handwritten notes. “In this day and age, knowing all that he is doing to advance Dixon Center’s progress, he stops to make connections and do things in a very personal way.”

Carol concludes, “I’m glad that my first experience working with veterans has been with Dixon Center.”

For more information about The Fedcap Group or Dixon Center, please contact Duncan Milne, President, dmilne@dixoncenter.org. 

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An Example of How We Work

An Example of How We Work

This week’s profile is Craig Stenning, executive director of Community Work Services. Craig is an innovative leader within The Fedcap Group and a strong partner of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.

“I wanted to develop a program at Easterseals Rhode Island that would provide emergency assistance to veterans, and that’s how I first became aware of Dixon Center. They assisted us in getting initial funding and, more importantly, in establishing the guidelines that we would use to evaluate individual requests. It was a successful program and an excellent collaboration.

“Five years later when I became executive director of Community Work Services, our organizations began working more closely as we intensified our veterans focus. Community Work Services offers job readiness, job placement, job training, and employment support for individuals with barriers, a portion of whom are veterans.

“We are also incorporating veterans as part of our Double Impact Initiative in which we provide meals for Boston-area residents experiencing food insecurity. In the program’s first two months, we prepared, packaged and delivered more than 30,000 meals, working alongside several veterans organizations.

“Community Work Services is extremely well-versed in providing job readiness, job training and job placement services. Dixon Center is extremely skilled at linking up with community organizations that primarily service veterans. They have also helped us explore funding options to support our programs serving veterans.

“Moving forward, we plan to have veterans be a dedicated, permanent part of our work. It’s not about pulling veterans out separately; it’s about being able to expand our outreach and incorporate them into our existing programs. Dixon Center has been the glue in bridging our organization with others to accomplish that.”

For more information about The Fedcap Group or Dixon Center, please contact Duncan Milne, President, dmilne@dixoncenter.org.

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Fedcap Rehabilitation Services President Considers Dixon Center’s Value

Fedcap Rehabilitation Services President Considers Dixon Center’s Value

Over the next month, we will introduce you to individuals at our parent organization, The Fedcap Group, who have positively influenced our work at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. This first in a four-part series features Steve Coons, president of Fedcap Rehabilitation Services.

Coons brings a unique perspective to his role with Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, having served on active duty with the Navy for 10 years before transferring into the Navy Individual Ready Reserve program and shifting into a civilian career. As such, Coons is attracted to Dixon Center’s focus on veterans’ transitions from the public to the private sector.

As Dixon Center established its presence within The Fedcap Group, Coons collaborated with the organization on facilities management services on military bases. “It can be rather complex,” says Coons. “We work with Dixon Center to identify individuals skilled in leading personnel in high-tempo operations – a unique skill set for which veterans are well-suited.”

Coons believes that veterans’ inclusion is a natural progression. He envisions that hiring organizations will recognize veterans as a qualified preference group and create the dynamic where the veterans feel embraced during a job search. Further, Fedcap Rehabilitation Services has pledged to ensure that veterans have opportunities to seek employment, particularly for mid-level to senior positions.

Says Coons, “It’s about putting the veteran and their family first in any setting that they choose and giving them the likelihood and potential to succeed.”

Coons predicts that business ownership by veterans is going to become increasingly important to the country and to The Fedcap Group. He sees Dixon Center aiding in these entrepreneurship possibilities by facilitating conversations and opening doors among investors, educators, and the veterans themselves.

For more information about The Fedcap Group or Dixon Center, please contact Duncan Milne, President, dmilne@dixoncenter.org.

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Honor July 4th by Supporting Women Veterans

Honor July 4th by Supporting Women Veterans

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services can be the refuge of last resort to aid and stabilize the lives of some of our women veterans. This Independence Day weekend, we are prioritizing our ongoing fundraising towards efforts to raise $250,000 in contributions to underwrite our programs for women who have served our country.

Our nation’s Independence Day recognizes the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. The women who have served our country have given years of their lives to ensure we retain those freedoms. There are some who may require assistance so that they can succeed where they live.

The dollars raised during this ongoing campaign will be used for supportive services for women veterans and earmarked for emergent needs and crisis prevention, a hallmark of Dixon Center’s strategic positioning to advance impact.

To honor the intent behind Independence Day, join us in assisting those who have been at the forefront of guaranteeing your freedom.

You can donate in two ways: contribute via our secure online donation page online or contact Vanessa Stergios, Director of Development, at vstergios@dixoncenter.org.

Thank you for considering the needs of our nation’s women veterans. Please stay safe and be well this Independence Day.

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Help Us Raise $250K for Female Veterans Support

Help Us Raise $250K for Female Veterans Support

Female veterans find themselves at or close to the top of the list of those impacted by COVID-19 – and that’s not a list that anyone wants to be on.

To offset the effects of the pandemic, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services has launched a campaign to immediately raise $250,000 for our nation’s female veterans.

Even before the pandemic, female veterans, who number over 2 million, faced increased rates of homelessness, suicide, and significant health concerns. Now those challenges are further heightened.

The dollars raised will be used for emergency relief for 100 female veterans, as well as earmarked for emergent needs and crisis prevention, a hallmark of Dixon Center’s strategic positioning to advance impact.

Asking for contributions during a pandemic is tough. Yet a pandemic does not discriminate. These female veterans have given years of their lives to ensure we have our freedom. Now they are looking for your generosity so that they can overcome unexpected events in their lives.

You can donate in two ways: contribute via our secure online donation page online or contact Vanessa Stergios, Director of Development, at vstergios@dixoncenter.org.

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Reflecting on Our Exceptional Fathers

Reflecting on Our Exceptional Fathers

This Sunday we will celebrate Father’s Day, and we asked Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services President Duncan Milne to reflect on how his father impacted and influenced his own military journey.

“Even in the harsh environment of post-depression New England, my dad knew that his potential was only limited by his imagination and his willingness to work hard.

“At the first opportunity, he joined the Navy, becoming a naval aviator. He flew PBY Catalina seaplanes throughout World War II’s “Battle for the Atlantic.”

“Upon his return, Dad took advantage of the GI Bill, studying mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I was proud to follow in his footsteps there many years later.

“As a Department of the Army engineer, he designed and fielded crew-served weapons. He was never destined to make great fortune, but instead desired to enable every one of his seven children to chart their own course in life. There was no family edict and no coercion. There was simply the unending support for whichever path you chose. Never one to talk about his own performance, Dad instead preferred to bask in the achievements of his family, particularly his children.

“One brother and I followed his footsteps and entered naval service. True to his nature, Dad only showed me support and encouragement although I’m told that he had concerns that the U.S. Marine Corps was the most difficult and dangerous branch of our services. When I was faced with my toughest challenges, my father would remind me that ‘thousands have overcome this challenge before, and you’re better than the vast majority of them.’

“Like many of the Greatest Generation, Dad rarely discussed his experiences in World War II, not thinking that any of his actions were exceptional. And yet that is exactly what he was….nothing less than exceptional.

“I miss you Dad. Happy Father’s Day!”

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Four Powerful Lessons for Memorial Day

Four Powerful Lessons for Memorial Day

This weekend marks Memorial Day, a sacred day of recognition in the United States.

I, like the rest of the team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, will spend the weekend remembering, honoring, and mourning the United States military members who died while serving in the Armed Forces – some of whom I served with over the course of my 29-year career.

One of these people was the husband of Latrese Dixon. In her book, From Tragedy to Triumph: The Life of a Widow, Latrese reflects on her life leading up to, and journey following, her husband’s death in 2007 during combat operations in Iraq. While her book is a stirring read for Memorial Day, there are many passages that offer lessons and insights relevant throughout the year.

Today I want to share a few pieces of quiet wisdom from this book with you – and what passes through my mind as I read them.

“He was a soldier and he answered the call of duty.”

The members of our Armed Forces put their lives on the line for their country, knowing that it is a dangerous business that could separate them permanently from their families. Yet a service member follows through and perseveres, even amidst difficult times and challenges. It’s called “character,” and it’s explained best not by definition, but by actions such as selflessly putting country before life.

“He died doing what he loved most – protecting his country, protecting his family. Both were inextricably linked.”

For me, the key words here are “inextricably linked.” Those who serve do so both for, and on behalf of, their families, neighbors, and communities. Equally important are the “comrades” to their left and right in times of crisis. Serving our country is a global duty, but it starts with families. You will find courage, love, duty, and sacrifice a commonality among everyone who has served.

“Losing a loved one is hard: healing is harder, but know that their memories continue to live on.”

The worst thing we can do is to forget. We can all use the opportunity created by Memorial Day to remember all those who died while serving, be it in combat, during training exercises, or through accidents and non-combat related deaths. One of the most important deaths for me to remember is death by suicide while on active duty. Ultimately, though, this painful reflection is necessary as it truly is the purpose of Memorial Day.

“The most difficult and hardest thing to do was figure out how to tell the children that their father would not be coming home.”

The narratives of those who have fallen live on through their families. These families are given the honorific “Gold Star” to designate that they’ve had a loved one lose his/her life in service to the nation. If you know a Gold Star family, reach out to check on them this weekend and provide encouragement. If you meet a Gold Star family member in the future, ask them to share their story, then take the time to listen.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered our ability to honor the fallen with parades or memorial services, it does provide an opportunity for us to create our own personal remembrances. Consider the following activities this weekend:

This Memorial Day weekend, I hope that you take a moment to personally reflect on the achievements and courage of our U.S. service members who died while serving in the Armed Forces.

We at Dixon Center will always remember, and they will never be forgotten. 

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A COVID-19 Update

A COVID-19 Update

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations are being challenged to address current needs while planning for the pandemic’s current phase to end – and its ensuing changes.

While we don’t know how the crisis will play out, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is planning for the future even as we track the impacts of the pandemic on veterans and military families.

As a Center of Excellence, we are providing and coordinating technical assistance/training, resource sharing, and strong leadership to our partners who, with our ongoing support, continue to operate direct service programs.

A significant number of veterans are in the high-risk categories for COVID-19, either due to age or an underlying medical conditions. The stalled economy is jolting the 1.5 million veterans who are already living at or below the poverty line. In a terrible irony, the isolation experienced by many veterans is being worsened by social distancing, the best preventative available to us currently.

Over the past several weeks, we have been working to counter these impacts by:

  • Sharing solutions with our partners to quickly connect veterans to direct-service programs and assistance;
  • Providing financial counseling and education to those touched by military service through the Dixon Center/Prudential Financial Wellness Portal;
  • Providing emergency financial assistance to student veterans in the Utility Workers and Teamsters Military Assistance Programs;
  • Connecting with partners and civic-minded advocates to share information and solutions that will improve how we serve the evolving needs of veterans.

We feel confident that when the United States emerges from the pandemic’s current phase, veterans will have more opportunity for integration into direct-service programs for employment, training, well-being and affordable housing.

For more information on programs and services offered by Dixon Center, or to become a Dixon Center partner, please contact Sam Whitehurst, Vice President of Programs & Services, swhitehurst@dixoncenter.org.

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Veterans, Non-Profits – Connect For Free

Veterans, Non-Profits – Connect For Free

Are you a non-profit who wants to make service delivery more impactful? A veteran who is seeking support and assistance as a result of your service or the impact of COVID-19?

Consider joining the Yellow Ribbon Network, of which Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is a member.

Founded by VeteransPlus, the Yellow Ribbon Network simplifies access to assistance with finances, housing, financial literacy, health and wellness support, and employment for its members, who are current service members, veterans and their families.

Some of the resources provided at different levels to non-profit partners include:

  • An affordable, HIPAA-compliant alternative to multiple technology solutions
  • Robust case management functions, including file sharing and retention
  • Matching tools that enable service delivery to be more effective and efficient
  • Analytics detailed reporting on key metrics
  • Simplified coordination of grant, donor, and volunteer resources

If you are 501(c)3 with a primary mission to serve military and veterans, the network offers licensing options that will help connect you with its members. In response to the challenges that beset veterans and military families as a result of COVID-19, the Yellow Ribbon Network is offering those affiliated with Dixon Center a free lifetime license level. To register, simply send an email with your request to info@yellowribbonnetwork.org and let them know you heard about them through this eNewsletter.

The services that Yellow Ribbon Network provides (connections to the right support at the right time) are always free for veterans, service members, and families touched by military service. All you need to do is build a profile. Should you need assistance, you’re asked to detail your specific request in a short form that is browsable by all of the network’s partners.

For more information on programs and services offered by Dixon Center, or to become a Dixon Center partner, please contact Sam Whitehurst, Vice President of Programs & Services, swhitehurst@dixoncenter.org.