Welcome to the SMVF newsletter, which provides listings of resources and events important to the Staten Island community of Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members. If you know of someone who is interested in receiving this newsletter, they can sign up at statenislandpps.org/veterans.

Partner Spotlight

Debt is not Just a Burden. It can be Deadly.

Reintegrating military Veterans into civilian society remains one of the most complex and misunderstood challenges faced by communities today. About 250,000 service members transition out of active duty each year.



Although the majority of them make a successful adjustment to civilian life, many struggle with social, emotional, and structural barriers that make civilian life difficult to navigate. Transitioning Veterans are at higher risk for suicide compared with both the broader Veteran population and the United States public, yet they often do not receive adequate support. At the same time, a widening disconnect between the military and the broader civilian population has made it harder for Veterans to feel seen, supported, and understood.

The video at the center of this discussion brings together a diverse group of voices—Veterans, public educators, researchers, and community leaders—each offering a unique perspective on the realities of military service and the obstacles Veterans face once they return home. Their combined insights shed light on the urgent need to strengthen communication, improve public awareness, and create more effective pathways for support.



The conversation begins with a Veteran who underscores the importance of speaking openly about personal experiences, even when doing so feels uncomfortable. His message sets the tone for the rest of the video: honest dialogue is essential if meaningful change is to occur.

From there, contributors like Michael and Candace highlight the widening cultural gap between civilians and service members, emphasizing how misinformation and limited public understanding have contributed to this divide. Their reflections point to the importance of education in rebuilding connections and fostering empathy.

The video also features clinical experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including Emily Edwards who is a VA clinical scientist, who offer a professional lens on the psychological and social challenges Veterans face in their journey back to civilian life. Their experience working with individuals coping with trauma, identity shifts, and reintegration difficulties provides a deeper understanding of the systemic gaps that persist.

The discussion concludes with James Hendon, who introduces a sobering yet motivating insight: despite the nation’s best efforts, current support systems effectively reach only about one-third of Veterans. His call to “think to yourself” prompts viewers to recognize the work still left to be done and reinforces the need for clearer communication, stronger programs, and a collective responsibility to do better.

Altogether, this video presents an urgent and humanizing exploration of the Veteran experience—one that challenges viewers to rethink assumptions, engage in open dialogue, and take part in the effort to build a more supportive and connected society.

Resources

FREE Yoga Classes, In Person and Virtual, by Veterans Yoga Project

Gold Star Post Schedule:

Every Wednesday 12:00 pm - 1:00pm

American Legion Gold Star Post #1365

17 Cannon Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314

more info here.

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Cespino Russo Schedule:

Every Saturday 11:30 am - 12:30pm

Cespino Russo American Legion Post

200 McClean Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305

more info here.

Chair Yoga, Breathwork & Guided Relaxation

All Veterans & Military Families Welcome

For more information, email Mike Matthews at mmatthews@statenislandpps.org.

For other Veteran Yoga Project Classes, click here.

NYS Division of Veterans' Services (DVS) Resource Guide

Our mission is to connect New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and their families to the full range of economic, medical, and social benefits and services earned through military service. We provide the highest-quality support, assistance, and advocacy to those who served in the U.S. military by helping them obtain state and federal benefits earned by their service to New York State and the United States of America.

Learn more here.

HelloFresh Meals with Meaning Kits

Free HelloFresh meal kits for Veterans and Military families facing food insecurity. DVS Benefits Coordinator, Joseph Liss, will be on-site to discuss Veteran benefits and services.

Pick-up location:

NYC Department of Probation's Neon Kitchen

340 Bay Street, Staten Island

Starting September 4th, 2025, every other Thursdays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

For more information, click here.

Adopt At-Risk Veteran | Wheels for Warriors

Our Mission:

AARVorg Inc, "AdoptAtRiskVeteran," is a 501c 3 non-profit founded in 2018 by Vietnam Veteran John Meyer. He was inspired by the vast nuber of homeless and at-risk veterans in his community. AARV is a fundraising charity that works with other community-based providers helping homeless and at-risk veterans and their families. We provide funds for veteran specific programs, emergency and supportive housing, hot meals, groceries, clothing, job training, transportation or other services not provided by the Veterans Administration. AARV is specifically dedicated to improving opportunities for our deserving veterans to regain control of their lives and enjoy the freedoms that they helped to preserve. Help us complete our mission by adopting a veteran today.

Wheels for Warriors:

We accept donated NEW and USED wheelchairs and scooters, match the mobility device with our list of AV Veterans with mobility challenges, and provide them for FREE. Help change a life by donating your time, funds, or mobility devices to a veteran in need. More info here.

If you are a veteran in need of a mobility device, click here to apply.

Department of Veterans' Services

NYC DVS has an extensive list of resources available to NYC veterans including counseling, mental health, peer support, and more:

Counseling Services

Mental Health Resources

Peer Support Resources

DVS Newsletter

Northwell Military Liaison Services

Northwell Health is New York State's largest health care provider and one of the nation’s top employers for military veterans and families. We are dedicated to meeting the unique need of veterans, service members and their families. Our services include but are not limited to: life after service, women's services, and pay differential program.

For more information about our services, click here.

VA Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program

You served us, now let us serve you.

Our suicide prevention program services provide assistance to military personnel and their families. We offer veterans and their loved ones tender loving care and a listening ear.

All services are provided free of charge for eligible veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To learn more about the program and how to get involved, click here.

Treatment for Justice-Involved Veterans

VA Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers are recruiting eligible Veterans to participate in a research study on treatment for Veterans involved with the criminal justice system.

Learn more here.

NYU Langone Military Family Center: Caring for military families coping with the invisible wounds of war

Our clinicians at NYU Langone Military Family Center can support you and your family in addressing the needs and challenges associated with military service and life transitions. We offer high-quality, accessible, integrated mental health care, which are free and confidential.

We provide assistance with both physical and psychological concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and more. Our services include, but are not limited to, individual, couples and family therapy, medication management, and support groups.

To find out more about our services, click here.

Edge4Vets

Edge4Vets is conducted by the Human Resiliency Institute at Fordham in the Gabelli School of Business. This program provides veterans with what they need most: support in translating their military skills into tools for civilian success.

Edge4Vets connects veterans with hiring managers at partner companies for jobs that can lead to careers.

For more information, click here.

1 Soldier, 1 Dog, 1 Team

What We Do:

1 Soldier 1 Dog 1 Team rescues shelter dogs and matches them with a Veteran and/or First Responder suffering from PTSD.

Learn more here.

Priority One

If you have served at least one day in the active military, naval, or air service, including the Reserves and National Guard, you and your spouse are eligible for priority of service.

Our Veteran Specialists are available to help you with training and benefits, job-readiness workshops, and more!

Learn more here.

Nourish the Service Essentials Market, Blue Star Families



Family Meeting Center - Fort Wadsworth

2nd Floor

455 USS Tennessee Rd.

Staten Island, NY 10305

2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

For more information, click here.

Questions? Contact Consuela Rodriguez at (904) 309-1817 or via email at crodriguez@bluetstarfam.org.

God's Love We Deliver

God's Love We Deliver is the leading Medically Tailored

Meal (MTM) provider in New York State. We have over 39 years of experience feeding,

nourishing, and improving the health and well-being of individuals living with severe illness.

Proudly serving home-delivered medically tailored meals to Veterans, their dependents, and their caregivers. You have served our country, now let us serve you!

God's Love has no religious affiliation; we serve all clients from diverse backgrounds. All

of our services are provided free to clients and full of love.

To learn more, click here.

For the latest newsletter, click here.



Staten Island Performing Provider System

1 Edgewater Plaza, Suite 700, Staten Island, NY 10305

(917) 830-1140

SIPPS-contactus@northwell.edu

www.statenislandpps.org

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