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Increase Your Impact at a Crucial Time

Increase Your Impact at a Crucial Time

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, today is just as significant as yesterday – Veterans Day. Thank you to all of you who heeded our Veterans Day call to reach beyond “thank you for your service.” We encourage you to continue to take action to show your gratitude to those who have served year-round.  

We have entered into our most critical time of the year. Historically, Dixon Center receives 35% of its total annual revenue from Veterans Day to December 31st. 

Here is what we are working on now to ensure we meet our end-of-year giving goals: 

  • Completion of our Veterans Day campaign  

  • Leverage Giving Tuesday. Mark your calendar for December 3rd

  • Holiday Appeal. Be on the look for our mailings

  • Direct solicitations to 20 major donors 

Close four pending foundation grants Our work is only made possible by the generosity of our supporters. For any questions related to making a donation to Dixon Center, please contact Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development, at egreenlay@dixoncenter.org.  

 

 

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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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Take Action this Upcoming Veterans Day

Take Action this Upcoming Veterans Day

As a citizen, one of the most significant actions you can do to honor the service of our veterans is to exercise your right to vote. If you have not done so yet, get to the polls today. It’s Election Day – Go Vote! Our democracy is only possible because of those who have defended our freedom.  

As the nation prepares to recognize Veterans’ Day this coming Monday, November 11th, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services encourages us all to go above and beyond our words and show our appreciation.  

Along with your vote, other ways you can demonstrate your gratitude to our veterans: 

  • Subscribe to The Bugler, our weekly e-newsletter. Stay informed on the latest happenings.  

On Election Day, on Veterans Day, and every day, Dixon Center stands together to honor the commitment and dedication made by brave men and women and their families who have served our country.

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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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Voting – Your Right and Your Responsibility

Voting – Your Right and Your Responsibility

Many of our team fought to give people in other countries the right to vote and experience a rule of law. Therefore, this year, in thirteen states we are exercising our right to vote, our duty to vote, and our support and encouragement to others who may think that their vote doesn’t matter. It does!

Our team continues spending time on equitable and just policies. Specifically, advocating and developing veteran policies at the national, state and local levels. These efforts focus on policies relative to pathways to citizenship and access to VA services for foreign born US military veterans, PACT Act modifications, affordable housing, physical, as well as economic opportunities impacting veterans and their families. 

November 5th is quickly approaching. Get out in your community and vote.

 

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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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Dixon Center Bugler: Fall Development Update

Dixon Center Bugler: Fall Development Update

Fall is our busiest time of the year at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. Since September, we had meetings with six new potential partners, submitted four grant applications (two of which are collaborations with other partners), and attended two large conferences/events.

We secured two new foundation partnerships, one corporate partner renewal and two major donor gifts. A major highlight of the Fall has been our collaboration and hosting a workshop with several partners on how we can reimagine veteran and military family financial wellness. It’s been inspiring.

We are diligently working on our Veterans Day campaign (stay tuned for announcements) and gearing up for our end of year giving outreach, our two most critical development initiatives each year.

While we enjoy the changing colors and embrace the business of fall, we always find time to extend our gratitude to those who make our work possible.

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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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Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans

Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans

Last week, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services attended the Veterans’ Health Conference: Understanding New York’s Newest Veterans to explore the results from the RAND Corporation’s new report on the health and well-being of New York State’s newest veterans.

Based on a survey of New Yorkers who recently separated from military service, the report offers the first comprehensive look at New York veterans’ health and social service needs since RAND’s landmark needs assessment nearly 14 years ago.

Dixon Center interfaced with leaders and researchers at the conference to stay connected with the evolving needs of veterans and their families, especially in New York state. The quote above from Derrick Coy of the NY Health Foundation reinforces the point, that if you’ve met a veteran, you’ve met a veteran. Engaging with organizations like RAND and the NY Health Foundation allows us to understand the complex and diverse needs of the veteran community, informing our solutions to build the capacity of our partners who integrate veterans and their families into their existing programs. 

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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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International Union of Elevator Constructors

International Union of Elevator Constructors

Last week, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services participated in the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Veterans Assistance Program 2024 Summit, an opportunity to review lessons learned and share best practices gained since the launch of IUEC’s Veterans’ Assistance Program last year.  

Dixon Center moderated a panel discussion on “Mental Health and Wellness,” demonstrating our leadership in addressing crucial mental health concerns within the veteran community. 

This panel provided a valuable platform for open discussion and resource sharing on vital topics affecting veterans and their family’s mental well-being.

We also added our understanding of the challenges that veterans face and the importance of developing collaborative solutions to discussions throughout the two-day summit. This is one example of our approach to capacity building within the veteran community, which is equipping IUEC-VAP with the tools needed to better support veterans and their families.  

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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 Empower Veterans and Military Spouses Entrepreneurs

Collaborating to Empower Veterans and Military Spouses Entrepreneurs

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services visited The Veterans Future Lab. Our team is collaborating with The Veterans Future Lab to assist participants achieve their goals in entrepreneurship and business ventures. 

Leveraging our work and network, our objectives are to connect opportunities to access financial capital, direct services, and financial wellbeing. 

Veterans Future Lab is housed in the New York University School of Engineering in Brooklyn. Its 9-month, no-cost Apex program provides mentorship, support, and resources needed to start and grow high-impact companies. 

A bonus: with a generous donation we will provide a limited number of the book Atomic Habits  to program graduates. 

Pictured left to right: Col. Duncan Milne, President; Alexa Modero and Jack Wilson with NYU Tandon Veterans Future Labs; Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development

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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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Reimagining Veteran Wellness

Reimagining Veteran Wellness

During an innovation workshop, this week, at The Fedcap Group, in New York City,  Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services spent time determining how we can reimagine veteran and military family financial wellness. 

Working and collaborating with THRUUE, AlphaROC, and the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), we focused on the pain points of financial wellness and how we can best leverage artificial intelligence, networks and educational programs. 

We will use the data and information, systems, and partners discovered to maximize capacity building, crisis intervention and long-term services to address veteran satisfaction with their current and future financial situations. 

We will publish our findings and proposed plan in the next few months. Stay tuned. 

From left to right: Chris Fitzpatrick, CAN; Duncan Milne, Dixon Center; Daniel Forrester, THRUUE, Sam Whitehurst and Eileen Greenlay, Dixon Center; Harris Wekselblatt, AlphaROC. 

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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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Advocating for Veterans in Farming Communities

Advocating for Veterans in Farming Communities

Recently, Eileen Greenlay, Director of Development for Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services attended the NAREB (National Association of Real Estate Brokers) Black Wealth Tour in collaboration with the USDA in Philadelphia. The event brought together federal, state and city agencies, local businesses, nonprofits and the faith-based community to discuss challenges and share best practices in farming. There were several interesting sessions on land acquisition, financial programs, the impact of farming on the economy and food access, and mental health challenges that farmers and rural communities face. Our partner, Teresa Watson, President of the Minority Professional Truckers Association, offered insights on how farming issues such as disruptions with distribution hubs and food processing impact small businesses and the mental health of minority truckers. 

Dixon Center leveraged the opportunity to enhance our capacity building and advocacy efforts within farming and trucking as these industries have a significant number of veterans. This included consulting with the Office of Veterans Affairs with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services on how veterans can access their mental health resources in the Philadelphia area. Also, Eileen received her certification in QPR (Question. Persuade. Refer.), a universal suicide prevention method.

Eileen Greenlay (left), Director of Development, with Courtney Johnson Rose (middle), President of National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and Teresa Watson (right), President of the Minority Professional Truckers Association (MPTA). 

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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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Patriots Day and Reflecting On 9/11

Patriots Day and Reflecting On 9/11

“…we will share the history and lessons learned with a new generation, teach them about the ongoing repercussions of the 9/11 attacks, and inspire the world with memories of our fortitude, strength, and resilience.”

– 911 Memorial & Museum 20 Years Later

During the week of the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11, and on Patriot’s Day itself, our team is very active. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is recommitting ourselves and our work building capacity with organizations, individuals, systems, and movements to make the lives of veterans and their families better.

This year in New York City, the Center will serve as a resource hub of influence, ideas, and actions helping 23 organizations build capacity to better integrate veterans and their families.

Across the nation, our team will leverage technology to provide strategic support to communities and movements that are improving the lives of veterans and their families.

In the Midwest and the eastern seaboard, we will be bringing together people, resources and expertise to build capacity with our partners.

Lastly, as a recognized and visible network and voice for military and veteran services we are participating in events in 10 States and the District of Columbia remembering the victims of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. 

By participating in local and national events and ceremonies, we recognize, remember, honor, and mourn those who died, and their families affected by the heinous actions of 9/11. The heinous actions that set off the Global War on Terrorism that is still being fought today.

As the American people forget about the post 9/11 wars, we cannot forget about those who fought in those wars. We hope you have the chance to reflect and remember on the anniversary of 9/11.

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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