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Supporting ESGH & Partners

Supporting ESGH & Partners

“Your visit was truly a catalyst for a lot of great relationship-building, communication, and idea-sharing.  You make us better!”

Christine Ellery, Program Director,
Camps & Case Management
| ToyTech | Adult Program | Veterans Program, Easter Seals Greater Houston

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services recently visited Easter Seals Greater Houston and their fifteen Texas Veterans + Family Alliance (TV+FA) Grant Program partners.

During our visit, Colonel (Ret.) Duncan Milne and Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, President, and Vice-President of Dixon Center, met with, engaged, and most importantly, listened to the TV+FA partners on what’s working, challenges they have encountered, and ideas on how to improve delivery of services.

Dixon Center and our partners in southeastern Texas are creating holistic solutions to the evolving needs of veterans and their families.

The TV+FA Grant Program was created to improve the quality of life of Texas veterans and their families. Their aim is to expand the availability of, increase access to, and enhance delivery of mental health services and treatments.

Dixon Center organizes and leads convenings that are critical to successful execution of the grant and to ensure that the veteran community in southeastern Texas can access quality wellness programs and other supportive services.

We’ll now take what we learned and turn it into solutions and present it to TV+FA partners later this year to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential in Houston and the surrounding 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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Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11

Twenty years ago, our world was changed forever. On September 11, 2001, most of us witnessed an act of cowardice and terror that has left generations searching for answers, answers that many are still looking for. The courage and commitment of our military and their families has been tested time and time again since that fateful day and the resilience of our warriors has been on display. Through it all we have seen the best of what this nation has to offer through the service of the men and women who stood up to the challenge and led when others would not. Now is the time to listen.

Listen to those who have served, not just in the last twenty years, but for all conflicts where the bravest of the nation have answered the call of service when asked to step up. Open your ears and listen, there are many stories to be told. Some of great valor and sacrifice, and some of terror and dismay. All the stories need to be heard, we owe it to all of the veterans who struggle with the impacts of war trauma during the darkest hours of the night and when they wake every morning. Reach out to your friends and family members that have been touched by military service…and listen.

Our nation remains grateful for the security we have lived under since that fateful day. Our call to action is to redouble our efforts to support our military, veterans, their families, and the families of the fallen. The needs of this most cherished population are not going away but will continue to evolve, as new challenges emerge impacting those exposed to the vileness of armed conflict. 

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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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Sharing Solutions Broadly

Sharing Solutions Broadly

To ensure that veterans and families succeed where they live, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services team uses our research and experience to provide influence, share ideas and build & sustain actions that organizations use to impact veterans. 

Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Programs & Services at Dixon Center leads a discussion with Colonel (Ret.) Greg Gadson and Colonel Ken Wilson on the challenges facing wounded/disabled veterans at the “Honoring the Hurt and their Heroes” Event.​Enter an important note here

We envision a future in which all veterans and their families live a full and satisfying life in the community. This is possible if every organization can effectively integrate veterans and their families into their existing community-based programs. To this end, Dixon Center has participated in a series of important events to build public awareness, encourage community involvement and promote grassroot solutions that can be replicated in local communities.

  • Dixon Center, the University of Chicago, and other partners hosted the “Honoring the Hurt and their Heroes” event at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago.
  • Dixon Center, along with other partners in the Clear2Connect Coalition, met with congressional staff members to continue to advocate for veterans who suffer from significant to profound hearing loss.
  • In Episode 14 of the Service Before Self podcast, Dixon Center highlighted the work of the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor.
  • Dixon Center also continues to spotlight the work of the Prudential Financial Wellness Portal, Veterans Plus, and Soldier On in ensuring that military members and veterans are armed with the knowledge and resources to be prepared financially to succeed in the communities where they live.
  • Dixon Center and ConsenSys Health, an industry-leading healthcare technology company, are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Virtual Veteran Health Summit that will be held on September 22. The summit will include healthcare thought-leaders from across academia, the private sector, research institutions and the federal government. Learn more and register here to attend. Veterans who are making a difference in the lives of wounded/disabled veterans. L to R: Colonel (Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, Dixon Center; Colonel (Ret.) Greg Gadson, advocate for wounded/disabled veterans and their families; Colonel Ken Wilson, Director, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Dr. Terrell Odom, Director of Office of Military-Affiliated Communities at the University of Chicago.​Enter an important note here

This is a snapshot of what is possible through collaboration with federal and state agencies, private-sector partners, organized labor, community-based organizations, and other non-profits. It’s a whole of society approach.
If you want to join in this inspiring work and explore what is possible, contact Colonel (USA, Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Programs & Services, at swhitehurst@dixoncenter.org.

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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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Service Before Self Ep. 14

Service Before Self Ep. 14

Dixon Center for Military & Veterans Services, Service Before Self, a podcast that tackles the evolving needs of veterans and their families, based on the belief that veterans can succeed in the community where they live.

Listen to Challenges Faced by Disabled Veterans with Louis Orslene, Supervisory Policy Advisor in the Office of Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP). ODEP is an agency within Department of Labor that is focused on helping employers and organizations not only support the 4.7 million disabled veterans, but disabled Americans writ large.  

In this episode, your host, Retired Army Colonel Sam Whitehurst, Dixon Center Vice President of Programs & Services, and Mr. Orslene, discuss the policies, programs, and practices that are creating opportunities for those that are disabled and how organizations and communities can more effectively transition those with disabilities, including disabled veterans, into the workforce.

This is an example of Dixon Center’s approach to connecting communities and organizations to resources so that they can better integrate veterans and their families into their existing programs.

Subscribe To/Follow Service Before Self Podcast

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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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July – August 2021 Financial Recap

July – August 2021 Financial Recap

Prudential Financial, INC., has made a $50,000 grant to Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services to support our critical work in making the lives of our veterans and their families better.

The grant from Prudential provides resources to develop and sustain our work in workforce development and career placement. Dixon Center will achieve this by working with organizations providing vocational training in high-growth industries, women veteran wellness support, work readiness skill building and careers — all targeted to assist veterans achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

Prudential has been a critical and key Dixon Center partner since 2013 when they became our first corporate sponsor. For this support, we were proud to present Prudential with the 2018 Eugene and Ruth Freedman Leadership Award to recognize their committed to addressing the well-being of veterans and military families.

Thank you Prudential for your leadership, support and encouragement.

If you are interested in learning more about our work and joining our partnerships contact Vanessa Stergios, Director of Development at vstergios@dixoncenter.org. 

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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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Fighting Together for Veterans & Families

Fighting Together for Veterans & Families

“Together we stand strong.”

– Colonel Duncan Milne, USMC (RET.), President
Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is a member of The Fedcap Group, founded in 1935 by three World War I veterans. The Fedcap Group is a global network of top-tier nonprofits, with a platform for over 20 companies to deliver proven services and solving systematic problems. 

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services recently updated The Fedcap Group leadership on our first quarter accomplishments, and our strategy for programs/services, growth and profitability during 2024.

Specifically, we shared:

  • In 2024 Dixon Center has achieved an increase in revenue, the highest first quarter level raised, ever.
  • Our assessment that statistically 10% of The Fedcap Group’s clients are military connected (veterans, military and veteran families, families of the fallen) with the Group helping them achieve long-term economic wellbeing.
    • Workforce Development to include job training in high growth sectors, job placement and post placement support.
    • Educational Services for children, youth and adults.
    • Health Services that promote stable participation in the workforce.
    • Economic Development targeted to helping people and communities achieve economic equity.
  • Dixon Center shared our two-year growth plan including the addition of 7 new employees in development, marketing & communications, and program management.
  • Lastly, Dixon Center shared plans for our Annual Holiday Reception in December 2024 at Civic Hall in New York City.

We are working with the Fedcap companies. They use us as a resource hub for actions, ideas, influence, and resources so together we can make the lives of those touched by military service, better.

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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

Investment in Our Work with Purpose Programs

Investment in Our Work with Purpose Programs

“Our partnerships allow us to assist veterans and their families achieve economic empowerment.”             
– Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is honored to announce a large, multi-year grant from a partner foundation for our Work with Purpose programs. This investment allows us to continue to grow our work with organizations assisting transitioning service members, veterans, and their families to achieve economic empowerment.

At Dixon Center, we have one goal – to see every member of the military become a successful, contributing member of their community once they leave military service. A key factor in that success is what we call meaningful employment.  It’s not about having a job, it’s about a career. 

Though our partnership and the foundation’s investment over the past year, Dixon Center has enabled over 4,000 military-connected individuals to be trained, licensed/certified, and placed in careers in the utilities sector, building trades, transportation and maritime industries, and other industries. 

As this partnership enters our 9th year, this grant will allow us to build on the success we’ve achieved in assisting thousands of veterans across the nation with the opportunity to work with purpose.

If you are interested in learning more about our projects leading to Work with Purpose for veterans and their families and joining our partnerships contact Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development at egreenlay@dixoncenter.org.

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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

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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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Situational Awareness through VAntage Point

Situational Awareness through VAntage Point

Many organizations and individuals that work with Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services are curious about where to get more information from The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The most useful source of information is online communications tools between the department and it’s stakeholders. Since 2016, with the launch of the blog, called Vantage Point, it became a significant source of information and an expanded outreach effort aimed at improving the way VA and its clients, community partners, and interested parties engage online.

VAntage Point, began as a source of information edited by VA’s Director of New Media with two primary features: a main column of articles written each day by VA staff and a section comprised of guest pieces submitted by other stakeholders including employees and the public. It has evolved as a one stop outreach tool providing News, Resources, the VA Podcast Network and Press Releases.

VAntage Point is increasing transparency, participation, and collaboration via social media. To view the blog, please visit http://www.blogs.va.gov. For more information, visit http://www.va.gov. 

 

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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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Workforce Development & Career Placement

Workforce Development & Career Placement

To ensure that veterans and families succeed where they live, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services provides and coordinates technical assistance/training, resource sharing, and strong leadership to our partners, who, with our ongoing support, operate direct service programs. Our work encompasses a broad swath, at the local and national level, from workforce development and housing solutions to wellness research and development, expanding funding streams for veteran entrepreneurs, and advancing impact via service networks.

Workforce Development and Career Placement is often the catalyst that drives progress toward ensuring that veterans and their families reach their full potential and leads to positive outcomes in other areas such as housing and wellness. The following is a brief update on Dixon Center’s recent work and future initiatives in this area.

Dixon Center and AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council signed a strategic agreement committing each other to further collaboration and expanding opportunities for veterans and their families in the building trades, including women veterans and veterans of color. This partnership is already creating opportunities to integrate veterans into existing programs in southern California—providing them a pathway into the middle class.

Dixon Center, with the American Legion and other partners, released “The Future of Credentialing for Service Members and Veterans.” This groundbreaking report has captured best practices and proven models to increase access to credentials for service members, military spouses, and veterans. Dixon Center was able to play a leading role in the development of the report and continues to participate in follow-on discussions.

Dixon Center visited the Seafarers International Union (SIU) Paul Hall Center for Maritime Education and Training in Piney Point, Maryland with a team from our partners in Department of Labor, Veterans Employment Training Services (VETS). This program is creating pathways to high-paying careers for veterans in the maritime industry. Explored ways to expand this transformational program and reach more transitioning service members and veterans. 

Teammates in Creating Solutions for Veterans and their Families.
Ivan Denton, Director, Veteran Employment Programs, Department of Labor-VETS; James Rodriguez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Labor-VETS, Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Programs & Services, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. August 14, 2021

Dixon Center led a discussion on the role that non-profits and community-based organizations play in creating holistic solutions for veterans and their families to workforce development leaders in both Chicago and Illinois at the Military Workforce Initiatives Summit: Advanced Partnering Opportunities for City and State Affiliates.

This is a snapshot of what is possible through collaboration with federal and state agencies, private-sector partners, organized labor, community-based organizations, and other non-profits. The end result of this collaboration are veterans and their families who successfully reintegrate into their communities. If you want to join in this inspiring work and explore what is possible, contact Colonel (USA, Ret.) Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Programs & Services, at swhitehurst@dixoncenter.org.

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

Posted on

Service Before Self Podcast Ep. 12

Service Before Self Podcast Ep. 12

Dixon Center for Military & Veterans Services, Service Before Self, a podcast that tackles the evolving needs of veterans and their families, based on the belief that veterans can succeed in the community where they live.

Listen to Assisting Organizations and Communities Address the Evolving Needs of Veterans and their Families with Colonel Duncan Milne (USMC, Ret.), President, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. Colonel Milne has spent a lifetime leading and serving Marines and is now leading an organization that connects organizations and communities with existing programs and services that transform the lives of veterans and their families. 

In this episode, your host, Retired Army Colonel Sam Whitehurst, Dixon Center Vice President of Programs & Services, and Colonel Milne, discuss Dixon Center’s approach to supporting veterans and their families in the communities where they live through Dixon Center’s network of private and public, civic, and community-based partners. They also share how the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of veterans’ needs, not diminished them.

This episode is also a moment of reflection; after over a year of dealing with the pandemic, it is now a great time to look back and see what Dixon Center’s leadership has learned and also to share Dixon Center’s goals for the future.

Subscribe To/Follow Service Before Self Podcast

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