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Fair Winds and Following Seas

Fair Winds and Following Seas

We wish “Fair Winds and Following Seas” to April Pinch-Keeler on her retirement after over 30 years leading our sister organization, MVLE.

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is honored to join other members of the Fedcap Group in recognizing her years of service. April, and her staff always serve MVLE with great grace and professionalism.

April is recognized for her support of our work and her finding innovative ways to integrate veterans, and those touched by military service, into MVLE’s services. 

Thank you, April. We are all better for knowing you and for your mentorship. 

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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Recap Summer 2023

Recap Summer 2023

“The pathway to positive outcomes for veterans and their families start with Work with Purpose”– Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst,Vice President, Programs & Services,Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

Over the last four months, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services has organized and led convenings and discussions on connecting veterans and military spouses with family-sustaining careers, engaged and shared best practices on training programs that lead to work with purpose, inspired our partners in labor on ways to maximize the experiences and potential of union veterans, and assisted our Fedcap Group partners in increasing the impact of workforce programs that will transform the lives of veterans and their families.

Some highlights include: the American Legion National Convention, organizing and leading the American Legion and Task Force Movement Credentialing Summit; coordinating a new initiative with Task Force Movement to create opportunities for veterans and their families in the healthcare industry during the National Association of State Workforce Agencies Veterans Conference, introducing state workforce agency members from all 50 states and territories to initiatives and programs that are making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families; and inspiring the delegates at the Utility Workers Union of America’s 32nd Constitutional Convention on how to best integrate veterans and their families into the UWUA’s program, organizations, and their communities.We also worked with our Fedcap Group partners, Civic Hall and Community Work Services, ssisting them in developing workforce programs that will provide an onramp to successful careers for veterans in information technology/cybersecurity and the utility industry. Careers that will elevate veterans and their families, veterans often from marginalized communities.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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Bringing Together Like-Minded Partners to Develop Solutions

Bringing Together Like-Minded Partners to Develop Solutions

“We need to be a part of solution” – The response from two potential funders after understanding the challenges of aging veterans

While asking the right questions is fundamental to the discovery process in fundraising to acquire useful and accurate information, the most important part is to listen. Listening is a commitment of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.In August, we engaged with several organizations in which they all shared and recognized the needs and challenges facing aging veterans, particularly the cost and access to long-term care services. We heard them loud and clear – there is a need for an innovative solution. Serving as a catalyst for change, Dixon Center is in collaboration with relevant community-based partners and funding partners such as United Methodist Communities, Soldier On, Lever for Change, Humana and AARP Foundation to test and develop solutions.We listened, we learned, and we are taking action to address this need.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11

“A five-sided granite group marker stands over the gravesite”– Arlington National Cemetery Website Group Burials

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services participated in events around the country remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. By participating in local ceremonies, we recognize, remember, honor, and mourn those who died, and their families effected by the heinous actions.A few of our team visited the Pentagon Group Burial Marker in Section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery.

The significance of the Group Marker is best described by the Arlington National Cemetery Monuments and Memorials narrative, “On September 12, 2002, a funeral service was held in Memorial Amphitheater for the final remains of the 184 victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon. While the service honored all 184 victims, it offered special recognition of the five families who did not receive any recovered remains of their loved ones. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld offered words of condolence at the service, stating, ‘We remember your loss, our loss, our country’s loss, and the loss of precious lives.’ Following the service, a group burial was held in Section 64. A five-sided granite group marker stands over the gravesite, bearing the names of all those who perished in the Pentagon or aboard American Airlines Flight 77.”We hope you had the chance to reflect and remember on the anniversary of 9/11 and that someday you will be able to visit the Pentagon Group Burial Marker. It is located off Patton Circle in Section 64 — in the southeastern part of the cemetery, closest to the Pentagon.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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American Legion & Task Force Movement Credentialing Summit

American Legion & Task Force Movement Credentialing Summit

“Task Force Movement is a great example of the power of collaboration.”-Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

As part of the recent American Legion Convention in Charlotte, NC,  Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services planned and led the American Legion & Task Force Movement Credentialing Summit.

We joined with over 75 partnered organizations in labor, government, academia, the private sector, and the veteran community in sharing ideas and best practices on creating opportunities for military-connected individuals in high-demand industries such as transportation and cybersecurity. Dixon Center also introduced two of our partners, Student Veterans of America and FourBlock to the Task Force Movement coalition, adding their experience and expertise in supporting veterans and their families to our ongoing work at Task Force Movement.The highlight of the summit was former congressman, 32nd Undersecretary of the Army, and chairman of TFM, Patrick J. Murphy announcing that Task Force Movement would also be focusing on career opportunities for military-connected individuals in healthcare—another opportunity to leverage the attributes and potential of our military and veteran connected community in an industry that is facing critical labor shortages.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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The Fedcap Group: Making the Lives of Veterans Better

The Fedcap Group: Making the Lives of Veterans Better

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is a member of The Fedcap Group which was founded in 1935 by three World War I veterans. Our goal is, and always will be, to assist the partner companies integrate veterans and their families into their existing direct-service programs. Specifically, over the summer we worked with Civic Hall in New York City on veterans inclusion; we had meetings with The Fedcap Group staff on awareness and community outreach programs for veterans as well as coordinating Dixon Center’s participation in the 27 November Fedcap Group Gala in NYC; we met with Fedcap Serving Maine’s Veterans Forward to share actions for development and outreach; and lastly, we continue to focus on introducing Single Stop to outside partners serving veterans in multiple states.   Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is proud to be a resource for all of the 20 Fedcap Group top-tier nonprofit companies. 

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

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Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program

Easter Seals Greater Houston’s Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program

“Dixon Center’s ideas and leadership have been key to increasing the impact of the organizations that are part of the Texas Veteran + Family Alliance Easter Seals Greater Houston Collaborative.”    – Elise Hough, CEO, Easter Seals Greater Houston

On August 22, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosted the annual convening for the Texas Veteran + Family Alliance Grant Program for Easter Seals Greater Houston. With our partners, Combined Arms and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, we planned, led, and facilitated discussions focused on sharing best practices and overcoming obstacles, organized and coordinated training for the 11 grantees of the program, and created a platform for the different organizations to share their experiences over the last year in order to make the program stronger and more effective in the next grant cycle.

Through our extensive network of organizations and communities, we exposed the Texas Veteran + Family Alliance grantees to emerging research and practices that will improve how these organizations provide services to veterans and their families throughout the Gulf Coast of Texas, an area that includes over 200,000 veterans.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

Posted on

Summer Development Update

Summer Development Update

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services always kicks off summer by formally honoring our fallen heroes on Memorial Day weekend with an annual mailing that we send to 631 of our donors and friends. They have our sincere gratitude for their generosity and the trust they place in us. Since then, we have personally spoken with 71 of our current donors and received gifts or commitments from 105 of them.So far this summer, we had meetings with eight new potential partners, wrote and submitted 21 letters of inquiry or grant applications (two of which were collaborations with other partners) to various foundations, and had numerous one-on-one conversations with individual prospects. Almost all were with foundations, corporations or people that we have not interacted with previously. We proudly knock on every door in service to our veterans and military families. This summer, we are just doing it in short sleeves.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

Posted on

UWUA’s 32nd Constitutional Convention

UWUA’s 32nd Constitutional Convention

At the Utility Workers Union of America’s 32nd Constitutional Convention from 26-29 July,    Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, a valued partner of the UWUA, engaged with hundreds of UWUA leaders and members from union organizations across the country. Along with our partners, Breakthrough 22 and EMB Consulting, both on the convention floor and our booth, we shared innovative strategies on how to best integrate veterans and their families into the UWUA’s program, organizations, and their communities. We also reconnected and strengthened our relationship with the UWUA’s Veteran Committee, successfully advocated for a veteran-focused resolution, and forged new relationships with Power4America, Union Sportsman Association, Guide Dogs of America, Veterans Archives, and many other organizations.One of the highlights for us during the three days was the presentation by Dixon Center that inspired and motivated the audience on the importance of veterans inclusion, and member leadership as essential elements of the UWUA’s continued growth and success.

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2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity

Posted on

Episode 21 of the Service Before Self Podcast

Episode 21 of the Service Before Self Podcast

On a recent episode of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services’ “Service Before Self” Podcast, Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst interviewed Carl Cricco, the CEO for K9s For Warriors, and John Tappen, a Navy veteran who has been paired with a service dog from K9’s for Warriors.The podcast kicks off with the inspirational story of Shari Duval, and how a mother’s love for her son became the catalyst for the founding of K9’s For Warriors, the largest provider of service dogs for service members and veterans in the country.John Tappen candidly shares his personal story of struggle after his service in the Navy and how at the lowest moment of his life, K9s For Warriors, stepped in and paired him with a service dog, Henry, that has literally transformed his life. John’s story is not unique—too many veterans encounter isolation and disconnection after military service. Carl Cricco describes K9’s approach in detail and the role that a service provider like K9s for Warriors can play in addressing that isolation and disconnection.To hear more about how K9s for Warriors is changing the lives of veterans and their families, like John, in communities across the country, listen to Episode 21 of the Service Before Self Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

More Posts

2024 Donor Recap

As noted in our 2024 Annual Report, our donors and partners enabled Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to make an extraordinary impact on

Supporting the Love Lives On Act of 2025

This month, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services proudly joined forces with organizations across the nation to support the reintroduction of the Love Lives On Act of

Building Capacity by Collaborating

With the resources from a generous donor, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, Single Stop and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) are launching a collaborative to benefit New

Dixon Center’s 2024 Annual Report

The team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is thrilled to share our 2024 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to showcase the impact of our capacity