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Announcing the 2023-25 Robert J. McCann Program & Impact Assessment Fellowship

Announcing the 2023-25 Robert J. McCann Program & Impact Assessment Fellowship

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services has established the Robert J. McCann Program and Impact Assessment Fellowship. The fellowship is named in honor of Mr. McCann, a World War II, Navy veteran. Mr. McCann is a native of Pittsburgh, PA who raised two sons and is a lifelong advocate for our nation’s veterans and their families.

The Robert J. McCann Program and Impact Assessment Fellowship awards PhD candidates conducting research on topics relative to the emerging needs of veterans and their families. To support the student’s commitment to furthering research the program offers an annual stipend.

The 2023 – 2025 Robert J. McCann Program and Impact Assessment Fellow is United States Army Retired Colonel Kaname “Kenny” Kuniyuki. Kenny is pursuing his PhD at the University of Dayton.

Kenny is a proven combat leader. He is transitioning to an academic environment, applying research focusing on the evolving needs and solutions impacting veterans and their families quality of life. 

 

Pictured Left: Navy Veteran Robert J. McCann surrounded by sons Boby and BrianPictured Right: Robert J. McCann Program and Impact Assessment Fellow, Kenny Kuniyuki

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Black Veterans for Social Justice

Black Veterans for Social Justice

The most effective solutions to the evolving needs of veterans and their families start at the community-level, and an organization that exemplifies the spirit and impact of community-based organizations is Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ) in New York City.  Founded in 1979, by veterans from WWII to Vietnam, who saw their fellow veterans and their families struggling to find services and support. Now they are a 400-person organization that owns or coordinates services in over 1200 units of community-based housing, operate nine homeless shelters throughout New York City, assist veterans reentering the workforce as a Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program grantee, and on top of all that, they provide over 2,000 meals a week to veterans and their families facing food insecurity. Recently, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services toured BVSJ’s facilities in Brooklyn and met with their staff—a group that is passionate and committed to serving veterans and their families.

It was also great opportunity to connect with BVSJ’s CEO and President, Wendy McClinton and discuss ways to collaborate in our shared purpose of making the lives of veterans and their families better.Collaboration with organizations like BVSJ is an example of Dixon Center’s third pillar, Live with Hope. Live with Hope encompasses our work with local and national partners to prevent veterans from becoming homeless or in providing affordable housing solutions. What’s more, our network of partners strives to address the housing needs of veterans and their families by creating a community of support. These include support for food security, safe housing, public health, and crisis relief.With this national network, we are giving veterans an opportunity—an opportunity for them and their families to reach their full potential. Learn more about our work here and contact Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst at swhitehurst@dixoncenter.org.

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Britt Worldwide Makes $50,000 Donation

Britt Worldwide Makes $50,000 Donation

Britt Worldwide (BWW) presented Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services an amazing gift of $50,000 during their annual Free Enterprise Day in Baltimore. As part of their Veterans Day celebration in front of thousands of their BWW partner affiliates the gift was presented to our leadership. For over 10 years, BWW has been a major corporate donor of our work, and a passionate partner in our noble purpose to make the lives of our veterans and their families better. 

Thank you BWW for your ongoing support and leadership focusing on veterans quality of life. 

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Connecting Veterans to Educational Opportunities

Connecting Veterans to Educational Opportunities

Located in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Paul Smith’s College is an ideal fit for many of our transitioning service members, veterans, and their families who seek out an active lifestyle and educational programs that positively impact quality of life. On October 26th, 2022, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services visited Paul Smith’s College in order to assist in their efforts increasing access to academic opportunities and supports for veterans and their families. 

Meeting with President Nicholas Hunt-Bull and Vice President for Student Affairs, Courtney Bringley, and other senior level staff, discussions covered such topics as creating a campus culture welcoming to veterans, increasing veteran enrollment, and supports needed for this population. Paul Smith’s goals are: 1) To develop career-ready graduates through hands-on, personalized education, 2) To educate, research and advocate on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people that inhabit it, and 3) To help the Adirondack region be ecologically and economically sustainable. Together, veterans and their families can combine with Paul Smith’s College to create a formidable team enriching the environment, the campus culture, and the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services works across all sectors of society to assist organizations that are interested in welcoming Veterans and their families into their existing or emerging programs. We stand by ready to assist Paul Smith’s College and welcome inquiries from your organization as well. Please visit dixoncenter.org for more information on how we work with organizations and individuals across the country.

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Honor with a Tribute

Honor with a Tribute

Our planning for Veterans Day Weekend is well under way. What are your plans to honor the service of our veterans?Beginning 11 November, and throughout the holiday weekend, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services will be participating in events across Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington, and communities in many other states. Our team members will be serving as speakers, volunteers, guests, vocal advocates, hosting families and friends in our homes, and making donations. In other words, our team members will be honoring those who served – with tributes.Veterans Day Weekend is when we kick off our annual end of year giving campaign. This campaign provides people with a way to recognize the service of a veteran. Honor them with a tribute by making a memorial or honorary tribute.  It will make you feel good and have an impact by making the lives of veterans and their families better.

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Welcome Eileen Greenlay, Manager, Donor Relations & Grants

Welcome Eileen Greenlay, Manager, Donor Relations & Grants

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services welcomes a new member of our team. Eileen Greenlay, Manager of Donor Relations and Grants, brings a wealth of experience in resource development and a dogged determination in ensuring Dixon Center’s ability to make the lives of veterans and their families better.   As the needs of veterans and their families continue to evolve, Eileen realizes that the resources required to support our work continues to evolve as well. 

Eileen is focusing on seeking additional resources and new partners. Her background and focus on donor relations will have an immediate impact on our work. At Dixon Center, we always work on reinforcing success, Eileen will allow us to do this.When asked how she felt about joining the team, Eileen said, “I am very excited to be a part of the passionate and talented team at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. The work and mission of this organization deeply resonates with me as I want every veteran and their family members to rightfully achieve their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. They have so much to offer, and we have so much to learn from them. It will be an honor to show the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, and their families how much we appreciate them.”  If your organization is interested in positively impacting our Nation’s veterans and their families, please consider discussing a long-term relationship with Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services by contacting Eileen at egreenlay@dioxncenter.org.

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One Year Later Summit Attendees Continue Commitment

One Year Later Summit Attendees Continue Commitment

One year ago, our team planned and convened a 3-day intense and immersive Vision Summit. The event was designed to inform over 100 influencers, leaders, and major donors that desired to learn more of Dixon Center’s work and plans for expanded operations over the next 5 years.  Today, we celebrate the success of those efforts, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services increased access to resources and strengthened our financial position ensuring our continued presence as a national organization with staying power. These influencers, leaders, and major donors have shared their experience and knowledge with like-minded friends and colleagues continuing to grow our vast network of support.  Would you like to join and our supporters?  Your generous, tax deductible donation to Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is simple and quick.  Most importantly it is making a positive difference in the lives of veterans and their families. These generous donors didn’t just make an investment. They are having an impact. And again, thank you to our nearly 2,000 donors.  

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Donate for a Duffle Bag

Donate for a Duffle Bag

Donate $250 or more and receive our popular Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Duffle Bag. Limited supply but there is still time if you act quickly! Your generous donation will assist us in creating positive outcomes for Veterans and Military Families across the Nation.  Visit our donate page, or scan the QR code to give. You can also contact Vanessa Stergios at vstergious@dixoncenter.org for more information. 

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Addressing Basic Needs

Addressing Basic Needs

Recently Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, and several of our command council members and veteran advocates were honored to join Soldier On in Pittsfield, MA to visit the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community.Soldier On is one of our partner organizations addressing the basic needs of veterans.

Basic needs are a minimal list of elements that people need to fulfill basic requirements and achieve a decent life. Typically, the list includes housing, basic commodities, such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as essential services, such as access to drinking water, to sanitation, to education, to healthcare facilities, and to public transportation. We are focused on support for food security, safe housing, public health, and crisis relief.

For the past 10 years we have been working with Soldier On to help build capacity, share resources, and promote their work, so together, we can enable veterans and their families into a secure, safe and permanent home of their own. Not just a dwelling place, but a home in a community that values their potential.Thanks to all our partners for their commitment to those touched by military service.  

 

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Laying a Wreath at Arlington National Cemetery

Laying a Wreath at Arlington National Cemetery

Last week, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services was honored to join the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The invitation came from Frank Christensen, General President of the IUEC, who has been a friend for many years with his emphasis and leadership in veteran economic empowerment.

It was a special invitation because Frank knows how much respect we have for that space. He knew we would be proud to lay a wreath on behalf of the people with whom we served and for whom we now serve. For years, we have wandered the sacred paths of Arlington National Cemetery. It is our destination for peaceful reflection and solace. Stepping through the gates to these hallowed grounds gives us a feeling of comfort.

After the wreath laying, we spent the next few hours visiting Sections 7,13,15E, 30, 31,45, and 60. These sections are in very different parts of Arlington, allowing opportunity to reflect on the lives of those interned on our route.

Arlington is a special place for us, and being asked to join friends in a wreath laying at the Tomb is an honor. Standing at the top of the steps waiting for the ceremony, spending the day walking through the grounds and visiting specific graves, our thoughts and stories turn to all those who serve. Those thoughts turn to specific reflections shared with the nearly 20 family and friends who accompanied us.

These reflections include:

  • Inspiring Others to Action
  • Individual and Team Success
  • Leading by Example
  • Relationships and Trust
  • Indirect Versus Direct Leadership
  • Decisions-Making

Thanks to all of them for their leadership and to the IUEC for their commitment to those touched by military service.

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