Category: Blog
Honoring the Unspoken Valor of Women Veterans
At 103 years old, Dorothy “Dottie” Dee still stands with the same pride and strength she carried when she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in 1943. “Did I pass inspection?” Dottie joked with a salute at a recent event honoring women veterans in Connecticut. Beside her sat fellow Marine and Backpacks For
ROGER NY, Coming Soon…
We’re excited to share that ROGER is expanding beyond New Jersey. Backpacks For Life has officially partnered with the Kyle Palmieri Foundation to bring ROGER to Long Island, marking the first step in our expansion into New York. ROGER was built to solve a simple but critical problem: veterans shouldn’t have to struggle to find
Veterans — You May Be Missing Out on This (Free Resource)
If you’re not signed up for Navy Federal Credit Union, it’s worth taking a second look. Not just for banking—but for access to tools like Single Stop, which helps you quickly find out what benefits and support you qualify for (housing, food assistance, childcare, financial help, and more… all in one place). Who Can Join Navy Federal?
A Simple Guide to Disability Supports in New Jersey
A Simple Guide to Disability Supports in New Jersey If you or someone you care about lives with a disability, New Jersey has a central online hub full of programs, services, guides, and help to connect you with what you need. You can start right here: https://www.nj.gov/disabilities/ What You Can Find on This Website This
Commuting a Few Days a Week? This NJ TRANSIT Option Can Save You Money
Commuting a Few Days a Week? This NJ TRANSIT Option Can Save You Money If you are commuting into work a few days a week, but not every day, this is something worth knowing. NJ TRANSIT has brought back its FLEXPASS, and it is built for people with more flexible schedules. What FLEXPASS Is FLEXPASS
Need Help Paying for Groceries in New Jersey? SNAP Navigator Program
If groceries have been harder to afford lately, you are not alone. New Jersey’s SNAP program can help, and getting started is more manageable than most people think. Get Help with the Application There are local organizations across New Jersey called SNAP Navigators. Their job is to help you through the process from start to
What’s New in Veteran Housing: Programs, Supports, and Expansion
LA County Launches Veteran Housing Navigation Program Los Angeles County has introduced the Veteran Housing Navigation Program, a new initiative designed to speed up the process of placing homeless and justice-involved veterans into permanent housing. The program places housing navigator teams in each of the county’s five supervisorial districts. These teams help veterans actively search
Your Voice Matters. Help Shape the Path Forward for 2026
On December 18th, the New York City Council held its final meeting of 2025. During that session, Council members passed 51 separate bills representing nearly every interest group across the city. Yet the entire Veterans Legislative Package was blocked. Rather than allowing a transparent vote, City Council leadership relied on procedural tactics to quietly shut
Pentagon Accounting Errors Highlight the Urgent Need for the Major Richard Star Act
Each year, the Department of Defense struggles to account for trillions of dollars in spending. Despite repeated audits, the Pentagon has yet to pass a full financial review, citing widespread accounting errors and incomplete records. These failures have real consequences, especially when lawmakers argue that there is not enough funding to support critical legislation for
The Power of Connection: Veterans Speaker Series and Laptop Giveaway Coming to Jersey City
The Power of Connection: Veterans Speaker Series and Laptop Giveaway Coming to Jersey City Jersey City is bringing inspiration, community, and digital empowerment to local veterans with a special event called The Power of Connection. Hosted by the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Veteran Affairs, this gathering is designed to