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Coming Soon – 2022 Annual Impact Report

Coming Soon – 2022 Annual Impact Report

Every year, around this time, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services releases our Annual Impact Report. This year is no exception.In the coming weeks we will share our 2022 Annual Report. This report tells the story of our approach and how we challenge – and change – the status quo based on the evolving needs of our veterans and their families.In 2022, we influenced 404,336 organizations and individuals. We expanded our work with Government Departments and Agencies. We’ve also expanded our work as a resource internationally to empower veterans in other countries. Our Annual Report comprises descriptions and impact across our three pillars, and 13 programs by sharing examples of the nearly 80 projects executed in 2022.Be on the lookout for the release and posting to our website this report so you are able to track how we, as a Center, are making the lives of veterans and their families better.

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Collaborating to Assist Ukrainian Veterans

Collaborating to Assist Ukrainian Veterans

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is cooperating with the Warsaw Enterprise Institute (WEI) to assist Ukrainian military veterans in acquiring necessary professional and social competencies needed to return to civilian life. WEI is leveraging Dixon Center’s influence, ideas and actions to implement a strategy emphasizing grassroot solutions that are working and those that are focusing on meaningful employment for those touched by military service.WEI is developing the Ukrainian Veterans Academy Personal Development Program. The project’s aims are:

  • The acquired competences and qualifications should be useful for finding oneself on the labor market, return to the previous employment or starting own business.
  • Participation in the Ukrainian Veterans Academy training program will be completely free of charge for Ukrainian soldiers leaving service.
  • The training courses will be closed, with access for verified participants only.
  • The trainees will be able to refresh existing skills, acquire new ones as needed and benefit from the knowledge and experience of local and foreign experts.
  • The program will start in mid-2023 and run until the end of 2024

The program will be implemented by the WEI, a think-tank of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers (UEE), one of the largest organization of employers in Poland. Program partners will be: Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian fund supporting the military effort of the Ukrainian army. Also, the program will be under the honorary patronage of the National Security Office of the Republic of Poland.

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“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Our Donors Make a Big Impact

Our Donors Make a Big Impact

Since 2012 more than 2,000 donors who have given to Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services have made the lives of veterans and their families better. In 2022, nearly 200 donors didn’t just make an investment, they had an impact with more than 302 donations. These donations include gifts from individuals, major donors, family foundations and corporations. Many individual donations include recurring monthly donors who spread their gifts out over the year and had some of the greatest impact. 

Our donation process is easy, and online donations were the most frequently utilized, followed by individual donations through third party entities such as Facebook, Blackbaud and Thrivent Choice. 

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is a member of The Fedcap Group, a global network of top-tier nonprofit agencies. The Fedcap Group serves as the fiscal agent for Dixon Center and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and provides our back-office support. This includes human resources, finance and accounting, legal services, information technology and many other functions. 
 
Dixon Center’s operating highlights are part of The Fedcap Group’s comprehensive financial statement package. Based on audited financial statements ending September 30, 2021, 88% of Fedcap’s total expenditures went directly toward programming. This demonstrates that The Fedcap Group is an effective steward of its resources. 

As we enter into 2023, please consider Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services in your annual charitable giving. No gift is too small, and your contribution goes a long way toward empowering veterans and their families to succeed where they live.

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Empowering Women Veterans

Empowering Women Veterans

Since 2015, Dixon Center, through our Women Veterans Program, has recognized the unique challenges that women veterans face after reintegrating back into their communities and the need to rapidly address crisis situations. Providing women veterans, a “hand-up” became even more important, as Dixon Center encountered an unprecedented number of women veterans seeking assistance during the economic uncertainty of the past year.  In 2022, Dixon Center assisted 128 women veterans. This assistance included resource sharing and referrals to organizations that provide budget training, and case management.  To learn more check out our Resources For Veterans Page.

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Command Council Welcomes Three New Members

Command Council Welcomes Three New Members

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services has announced three new members to our Command Council.  “Today, I’d like to welcome our newest members of the Command Council – Carol Khoury, Leon Mangum, and Frank Gaudio”, announced our Chairman, David Sutherland, during our Dixon Center Muster on 3 January 2023. Each year we attempt to add someone new to our command council. This year we’ve added three new members.Dixon Center Command Council serves as an advisory board. The members work with our leadership and provide advice on matters that directly concern programs and fundraising efforts.Carol Khoury is currently The Fedcap Group’s Chief Financial Officer; Leon Mangum is a Retired US Army Staff Sergeant and the recipient of the 2022 Michael “Mick” Yauger Point Man Award; and Frank Gaudio is a Charitable Foundation Subject Matter Expert. All three have been passionate advocates for veterans and their families, as well as staunch supporters of Dixon Center.“These appointments speak to their passion, integrity and longtime friendship. Their fresh ideas and backgrounds will provide new perspectives.” – COL David Sutherland, US Army (Ret.)

 

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Top 10 Highlights of 2022

Top 10 Highlights of 2022

We say thanks to each of you who are champions of our veterans and those touched by military service and assisted Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services during a very challenging year. In gratitude, we are reflecting on 2022 and celebrating Dixon Center’s top 10 highlights of 2022. 

  1. Dixon Center’s impact increased from 2.4 to 2.8 million veterans and military families through our work providing Influence, Ideas, and Actions to individuals and organizations across the country.
  2. Dixon Center expanded work within our 3 pillars: Work With Purpose, Heal With Honor, and Live With Hope.
  3. Dixon Center worked across the Fedcap Group supporting its many companies. We assisted Fedcap Serving Maine to stand up their “Veterans Forward” program assisting veterans their families. Dixon Center now serves as a member of the Veterans Forward Advisory Board. We also went international by assisting Fedcap UK with the development of their first ever veterans supportive services concepts and proposal.
  4. We continued to execute agreements with national trade organizations to expand existing workforce development efforts and focus on providing a pathway for under-represented populations into non-traditional careers.
  5. Dixon Center increased access to resources and strengthened our financial position ensuring our continued presence as a national organization with staying power.
  6. Our podcast “Service Before Self” completed its second season to a steadily increasing audience. Season three, focusing on issues impacting our nation’s veterans and military families is under development.
  7. Dixon Center assisted in the development and execution of the Angel Force “Stop Suisilence Summit” raising awareness and bringing multiple organizations together to discuss innovative ways to address the scourge of veteran death by suicide.
  8. Dixon Center continued to make the holiday a bit easier for hundreds of veterans across the country through our Holiday Basic Needs Grants thanks to generous contributions from our Command Council. These grants provided real time relief from the impacts of raising cost in heating fuels, food, and other basic needs.
  9. We welcomed two new team members. Eileen Greenlay joined us as our new Manager of Donor Relations and Grants. United States Army Retired Colonel Kaname “Kenny” Kuniyuki joined as the 2023 – 2025 Robert J. McCann Program and Impact Assessment Fellow.
  10. We got back on the road in a big way as we travelled to partner locations nationwide. We hope to see you soon in person.


Just like you, we reflect on our activities of 2022 to help provide guideposts and goals for our 2023. We hope your reflection does the same. If you want to read more detail on our past year be on the lookout for the 1 February 2023 Bugler which will announce the release of our 2022 Annual Report.

Join us on our journey in 2023 and beyond! Visit Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to learn more or contact our President, Col. Duncan S. Milne, USMC(Ret.) at dmilne@dixoncenter.org

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End of Year Giving

End of Year Giving

Please consider Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services in your annual charitable giving. No gift is too small, and your contribution goes a long way toward enabling veterans and their families to succeed where they live.You can make an online donation by clicking on the Support Us link below. To learn more about giving and financials check out our Ways to Give page.As we look ahead to 2023, thank you for all that you have done to assist veterans, through our work.  Together, we are enabling our veterans and their families succeed where they live.

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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iHeart, Latrese, Mangum, and NGS Recognized

iHeart, Latrese, Mangum, and NGS Recognized

On 13 December Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services recognized organizations and individuals working to enhance the well-being of veterans and military families.

Eugene & Ruth Freedman Leadership AwardThe award is named in honor of Eugene and Ruth Freedman, whose lifetime of philanthropy continues through their family foundation and their three children, Penny Freedman, Nancy Remak and Rick Freedman.

This year’s recipient, iHeartMedia, Inc., received the Freedman Award for the iHeartRadio Show Your Stripes program and iHeart’s commitment to addressing the well-being of veterans and military families.

John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia, said, “I am so proud to work alongside colleagues who are passionate about supporting our nation’s heroes.”

Herbert & Carolyn Metzger Service AwardHerb and Carolyn Metzger epitomized service and purpose in one’s community. In the presence of friends, families, and passionate supporters, we presented the Metzger Award to Dixon Center Command Council member and Gold Star Wife, Latrese Dixon.

Latrese’s leadership has made her local community and our nation a better place, and she has made the work of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services more impactful over the past nearly 11 years.

According to Dixon Center President, Duncan Milne, “Latrese understands that life experiences make us stronger and she is using her strength to make the world a better place for her family, her neighbors and her community.”

Michael “Mick” Yauger Point Man AwardRetired US Army Staff Sergeant Leon Mangum is currently an active member in the Veteran community of Chicago and a role model for young people in his community via JROTC at Foreman College and Career Academy.

Mr. Mangum is the past Director of the Allen J Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Assistance Program, which provided support to Veterans during hardship leading towards homelessness. Leon received this award in recognition of his leadership in career development and continuing education for veterans and their children. 

In an Army formation on patrol, the point man takes responsibility for others and assists them as they move through challenging terrain.

This award, named for that role and responsibilities and in honor of Mick Yauger, recognizes the recipient’s forward leadership in supporting others through challenging times and/or transitions.

According to Dixon Center Vice President Colonel Sam Whitehurst, “Bottom line: Leon epitomizes the character, skills, knowledge and abilities that Mick Yauger spoke of when he discussed the Point Man in an Army formation.”

Lou Lowenkron Commitment to Veterans Excellence AwardPresented annually by Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, the Lou Lowenkron Commitment to Veterans Excellence Award recognizes an individual or organization for their support of veterans and their families in higher education, certification, licensing, or training.

The 2022 Lowenkron Award is presented to No Greater Sacrifice (NGS).NGS is dedicated to the children of our nation’s fallen and wounded Service members delivering scholarships and resources to improve their quality of life through the pursuit of higher education. Over the years NGS has committed more than $14 million in post-high school education benefits. 

“More important to me than the scholarships is the fact that NGS meets our children where they are – and accompanies them on their journey,” said Chairman David Sutherland.

We congratulate all honorees and thank them for their efforts to assist veterans and military families succeed where they live.

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“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Annual Holiday Reception

Annual Holiday Reception

Tonight is our annual Holiday Reception.  It is a night where we say thank you to our partners and present awards to the people and organizations that have stood out in their support of our nation’s veterans and their families and the mission of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.If you would like to be part of this exciting evening, you can join us on Facebook live at 7:00 PM Eastern to help us celebrate.Just click here and it will take you to our Facebook page.  We hope you are able to join us.

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“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen

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Individual & Major Donors Respond with November Giving

Individual & Major Donors Respond with November Giving

November is a month to be Thankful.  At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we find ourselves full of gratitude for your response to our November giving opportunities.  Each year, at we kick off our annual year end giving campaign with highlights from our Veterans Day celebrations and ways to join us in our noble purpose to make the lives of our veterans and their families better.  This year, these opportunities  included veteran and military family supporters options through our website, by direct mail, access through our QR code, on Giving Tuesday and Facebook.  Many of our annual contributors joined in supporting our mission, along with some new names and faces from the participants at the Free Enterprise Day in Baltimore on November 12. At Dixon Center for Military and Veteran Services, our donors believe as we do, that our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. They also understand that every organization and individual can effectively integrate veterans and their families into their existing community-based programs. Together, we create solutions to ensure both values are possible in every community. If you haven’t yet made your end of year contribution, don’t wait!  Join us today!It is easy do to!  Donate now at: through our secure website Dixon Center, on Facebook, or PayPal or:

To learn more about us visit DixonCenter.org and to explore any charitable giving options and tax-saving tips, contact Vanessa Stergios, Director of Development at vstergios@dixoncenter.org or 330-705-4262.

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Memorial Day – Reflect and Remember

“The selected lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ honors sacrifice and serves as a reminder of the enduring respect and remembrance owed to fallen