WVN October 2026 Newsletter

October 2026 Newsletter

From the Director's Desk

Greetings! October has many observances and recognitions, and we would like to highlight a few.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage early detection, and stand in solidarity with the many individuals and families affected by breast cancer. With one in eight women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, access to screening, treatment, and compassionate support remains incredibly important.

Early detection can make a meaningful difference. The VA recommends that women begin mammogram screening at age 40 and offers comprehensive breast health services for eligible Veterans. Breastcancer.org also provides trusted information, education, and resources for individuals and their loved ones. This month, we honor survivors, remember those we have lost, and encourage everyone to take an active role in their breast health.

October also marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)—a time to support survivors, honor those whose lives have been affected by domestic and intimate partner violence, and remind one another that help, hope, and healing are possible.

Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, background, or profession. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as stalking, threats, and coercive control. For Veterans in particular, knowing that confidential and compassionate resources are available can be an important first step toward safety and support.

Veterans receiving VA care can turn to the VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) for support. Additional help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788. Veterans experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. In Massachusetts, the Behavioral Health Help Line is also available 24/7 by calling or texting 833-773-2445. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.

By increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and making sure people know where to turn, we can help create communities where everyone feels safer, supported, and empowered to seek help.

Observed on the second Monday of October, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the vibrant cultures, traditions, histories, and enduring contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples.

The day also invites us to recognize the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of historical and ongoing challenges while celebrating the strength, knowledge, and traditions that continue to enrich our communities today. It is a meaningful opportunity to listen, learn, celebrate, and reaffirm our shared commitment to respect, understanding, healing, and equity.

In solidarity,

Jessica Frost

Executive Office of Veterans Services

Director, Women Veterans Network

WVN-Sponsored Veteran Events

Click on each flyer or view alt text for more information, if available

Pink and burgundy flyer promoting a Country Line Dancing Workshop hosted by the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network (WVN) on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Sanctuary Church, 185 Plain Street, Marshfield, MA 02050. Led by Maureen Renie Godding, the workshop welcomes participants of all experience levels, from beginners to experts, for an evening of easy dance steps, great music, and good vibes. Light refreshments will be served. The flyer features silhouettes of five people in cowboy hats and boots posing against a burgundy semicircle, along with the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network and Executive Office of Veterans Services logos. Registration information and a QR code appear at the bottom right. Registration URL: [https://www.mass.gov/wvn/events](https://www.mass.gov/wvn/events) The QR code was successfully decoded and points to [https://www.mass.gov/WVN/EVENTS](https://www.mass.gov/WVN/EVENTS), matching the registration website printed on the flyer.

White, navy blue, and red flyer promoting the Fall Financial Wellbeing Series, a two-part virtual workshop hosted by the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network and led by Sue Katz, Financial Wellness Coach at WealthTrek. The first workshop, Budgeting and Veterans Resources, takes place Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and covers budgeting goals, spending tracking, savings strategies, debt management, and available veterans' resources. The second workshop, ID Theft and Fraud Prevention, takes place Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and addresses identity theft, fraud prevention, personal safety, legal considerations, and steps to take if fraud occurs. Both interactive online sessions offer practical financial guidance, helpful resources, personalized feedback, and opportunities for questions and discussion. The flyer features a photograph of Sue Katz, a registration QR code, and logos for the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network and WealthTrek. Registration URL: [https://mass.gov/wvn/events](https://mass.gov/wvn/events)

WVN in the Neighborhood

On September 19, Director Frost led a group of women veterans and their allies on a Fall Trail Walk along Feldman's Cutthroat Brook Gnome Trail in Athol. The walkers (and their sweet canine companions!) enjoyed the opportunity to take in nature, look for gnome statues, and learn about the North Quabbin Trail.

In September, the WVN's Peggy Duffy-Shea traveled to Central and Western Massachusetts to share information about veteran benefits to attendees of the VA Baby Shower in Three Rivers and the Big E in West Springfield.

Military Calendar, Holidays, and Observances

October 13

U.S. Navy (USN) Birthday

October 26

Day of the Deployed

October 27

Navy Day

November

National Veterans & Military Family Month

Warrior Care Month

National Family Caregivers

Active-duty personnel, veterans, and supporters observe Navy Day every October 27 with traditional Navy Birthday Balls, cake-cutting ceremonies, and historical programs.

Local Veteran Events

Click on each flyer or view alt text for more information, if available

Black, red, and white flyer promoting Veterans Movie Night II, featuring a free screening of Hook on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Agawam Cinemas on Suffield Street in Agawam, MA. The flyer features the Hook movie poster with Captain Hook and Peter Pan. Admission is free for veterans and their family members, with proof of military status required. On-site services will include representatives from the VA, Veteran Service Agents, and additional veteran resources. A QR code is provided for more information and registration, along with the Agawam Cinemas and VOICE (Veteran Outreach Into Community Engagement) logos.

$Patriotic red, white, and blue flyer promoting the 5th Annual A Day to Benefit Veterans fundraiser on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the American Heritage Museum, 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749. The event raises funds to support local veterans' programs and is organized by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Activities include raffles, silent auctions, cash prizes, door prizes, live music, food, a cash bar, and opportunities to explore the museum. The flyer features a circular patriotic Veterans emblem, military service logos, and the American Heritage Museum logo. A QR code provides event information, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket purchases. The website www\.adaytobenefitveterans.org appears at the bottom. QR code URL: [https://www.adaytobenefitveterans.org/](https://www.adaytobenefitveterans.org/) (successfully decoded from the flyer).$

Colorful Halloween-themed flyer promoting the 5th Annual Trunk or Treat & Haunted Hallway on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Springfield Vet Center, 95 Ashley Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089. The free, family-friendly event invites veterans and current service members to bring their children for trick-or-treating fun, candy, games, prizes, and a haunted hallway. The flyer features cartoon vehicles with open trunks filled with Halloween candy, surrounded by costumed children dressed as a mummy, pirate, cat, and skeleton. The event takes place in the rear parking lot off Ashley Avenue, near Exit 10A of Interstate 91. For more information, call the Springfield Vet Center at 413-737-5167.

**Alt text:** Flyer for a Vet Center and American Legion Post 247 “Trunk or Treat” family event featuring a chili cook-off, games, treats, and more. The event is Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at American Legion Post 247, 90 Pawtucket Blvd., Tyngsborough, MA. The flyer says “Fun for the whole family!” To RSVP, call **978-453-1151** and ask for Tiffany or Belle. The Halloween-themed design features two vintage pickup trucks filled with pumpkins, along with bats, stars, and fall decorations.

**Alt text:** Flyer for “Shaped by Service: A HomeFront Strong Storytelling Event,” presented by HomeFront Strong in partnership with Warrior’s Art Room. The exhibit is hosted at Warrior’s Art Room, 122 Pleasant Street, Suite 105, Keystone Building, Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027. The call-to-artists deadline is Monday, October 19, 2026. The show runs November 2 through January 1, with an artists’ reception Saturday, November 7, from 4–6 p.m. Regular gallery hours are Monday and Wednesday, 5–8 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, noon–4 p.m. Entry is free for service members, veterans, and family members. Each artist may submit up to five pieces, depending on size, and gallery admission is free. A QR code and the website HomeFrontStrongUS.org/Shaped-by-Service provide registration details. The flyer includes HomeFront Strong and Warrior’s Art Room logos, photographs of gallery events, examples of veteran artwork, and sponsor logos for the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board and Mass Cultural Council.

White, red, and teal flyer promoting Give Vets a Smile Day, presented by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. The event offers free dental exams, oral cancer screenings, and specialty dental consultations for veterans and their spouses. The flyer features photographs of veterans, dental professionals, and patients receiving care, highlighting the importance of oral health and supporting those who served. Registration is available through a QR code. For more information, call 617-432-1434 or visit [https://www.hsdmasda.com](https://www.hsdmasda.com). QR Code Registration URL: [https://qrln.org/JrQbY](https://qrln.org/JrQbY)

**Alt text:** Flyer for the “2026 Boston Veterans Celebration of Service Parade.” The parade takes place Saturday, November 7, 2026, at noon, beginning at the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street. The route follows Boylston Street, turns left onto Tremont Street, and ends at 1 City Hall Plaza. Organizations interested in participating may email [veterans@boston.gov](mailto:veterans@boston.gov). The lower half of the flyer shows a veterans parade on a Boston street, with uniformed color guard members carrying American, Massachusetts, and Boston flags as spectators line the route. City of Boston and City of Boston Veterans’ Services logos appear at the bottom.

White, red, and blue flyer inviting veterans, families, and friends to the 16th Annual Roger Twomey Pancake Breakfast, honoring veterans and celebrating the memory of Roger Twomey. The event takes place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Lawrence Elks Lodge, 682 Andover Street, Lawrence, MA. Breakfast includes pancakes, bacon, sausage, pastries, fresh fruit, and more, along with entertainment and raffles. A $5 donation is requested, with complimentary admission for Roger's fellow veterans. Tickets are available at the door, and everyone is welcome. The flyer features a photograph of Roger Twomey, an illustration of pancakes, and a patriotic American flag graphic thanking veterans for their service. For questions or donations, contact Keith Wlodzyka at 603-548-9929.

**Alt text:** Dark blue, red, and light blue “Call to Artists!” flyer for the HomeFront Strong “Shaped by Service” art show at Warrior’s Art Room in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Show dates are November 7 through December 31, with an artists’ reception on November 7. There is no entry fee or admission fee. The show is not juried and is open to all veterans and military family members. Registration is available at HomeFrontStrongUS.org/Shaped-by-Service. The flyer includes HomeFront Strong and Warrior’s Art Room logos; sponsor logos for the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board and Mass Cultural Council; and photos of artists, gallery visitors, paintings, and art materials. A note states that the program is supported in part by a grant from the Easthampton Cultural Council, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council.

**Alt text:** Flyer for Veterans Inc.’s 2026 Run4Veterans 5K Run & Walk, celebrating 35 years. The event takes place November 8, 2026, with a 10:00 a.m. start at Polar Park in Worcester, Massachusetts. Veterans register for free. The flyer features runners carrying American flags outside Polar Park and includes Veterans Inc. and sponsor logos. Register using the QR code or visit **[https://www.veteransinc.org/events/run4veterans/](https://www.veteransinc.org/events/run4veterans/)**.

Ongoing Programs and Events

Click on each flyer or view alt text for more information, if available

Flyer for Project New Hope’s **Veterans’ Farmers Market**, offering free fresh fruit and vegetables to veterans and their families. The market is held Fridays from **11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.** at the **Worcester VA Clinic, 403 Belmont St., Worcester, MA 01604**, on **July 10 and 17; August 7 and 21; September 4 and 18; and October 2 and 16, 2026**. The flyer includes colorful produce, partner logos, a QR code, a photo of the clinic, and the website **[www.projectnewhopema.org](https://www.projectnewhopema.org)**.

Flyer for **Trust House**, a VA Boston Healthcare System program at the Jamaica Plain Campus. It describes a therapeutic transitional residence for women veterans offering individual and group therapy, case management, compensated work therapy, psychiatry, recreational outings, and a 12-month residential setting. Contact: **Simone DiPilato, PsyD**, **617-435-2049**, **[simone.dipilato@va.gov](mailto:simone.dipilato@va.gov)**. Decorative pastel shapes surround the text, with the words **Security, Well-being, Independence, Community, Support** highlighted in a yellow circle.

Research Opportunities

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**Alt text:** Flyer from Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center promoting a Man O’ War Project research opportunity for veterans with PTSD. Eligible participants are military veterans ages 18–70 who are fluent in English and have a PTSD diagnosis or significant PTSD symptoms. The study consists of eight weekly 90-minute experiential group treatment sessions featuring unmounted interactions and activities with horses; trauma is not explicitly discussed. Potential benefits include building trust, increasing emotional awareness and regulation, improving communication, and increasing self-confidence. Sessions run October 26 through December 19 at Strongwater Farm, 500 Livingston Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. For registration or information, contact Program Director Jane Kirby at **[jane.kirby@strongwaterfarm.org](mailto:jane.kirby@strongwaterfarm.org)**. The flyer features a background photo of a veteran interacting with a horse.

Veteran Hiring Events, Career Workshops, and Trainings

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**Alt text:** Flyer for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Squadron 7 Zulu Division, offering a year-round youth program for middle school students in grades 5–8 and high school students in grades 9–12. The military-style leadership program develops leadership, teamwork, cooperation, confidence, and resilience, with cadets wearing Navy uniforms. Meetings are held two Sundays per month from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Quincy & Bridgewater, MA. Activities and advanced training include aviation, boat building, Coast Guard operations, cybersecurity, firefighting, forensic science, homeland security, medical training, robotics, sailing, scuba diving, search and rescue swimming, and more. Some drills are held at Joint Base Cape Cod and aboard the USS Salem. For more information, visit **[www.7Zulu.org](https://www.7Zulu.org)** or contact **[throughton@squadron7zulu.org](mailto:throughton@squadron7zulu.org)**.

Massachusetts, Federal, and Nonprofit Resources

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Massachusetts Veteran Benefits

Chapter 115 Benefit Estimator

Massachusetts Veteran Programs

VSO Finder

VA Claims Assist Portal

Transition Toolkit

Gold Star Families Toolkit

Legal Resources

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About the Women Veterans Network

Established in 1997, the Women Veterans Network (WVN) is a program within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Veterans Services. The WVN seeks to serve as a primary resource for Massachusetts' military veterans, with a mission of increasing awareness of the federal, state and local benefits available to them. As part of its outreach mission, the WVN hosts a variety of events every year, including webinars, gatherings, the Women Veterans Appreciation Day, and an annual conference.

Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-EOVS information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the Executive Office of Veterans Services.