Black Veterans for Social Justice
About Black Veterans for Social Justice
Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc for the last 40 years has serviced thousands of veterans, their families and the community at large. We have proudly proven that we have the skills, knowledge, experience, sensitivity, and commitment to servicing our fellow veteran’s, those that love and support our veterans, as well as individuals and families that live in all five boroughs of New York City.
BVSJ has sustained The Veterans Resource Center for 40 years with operational structure that builds on public consciousness and creates an understanding that all Americans have been traumatized by the “ sequence of wars and military action.” The result of BVSJ’s vision is that all veterans have access to resources that assist with resolving complex problems that have historically limited the Veteran’s opportunity to be contributing members to their families, community and society.
History
On April 18th, 1979, a group of veterans from all branches of the military representing enlistees from WWII through Vietnam, came together to provide assistance to veterans with problems. Some immediate problems faced were racism and racist policies, little or poor medical and rehabilitative services, unemployment, no re-entry preparation into society. Many soldiers leaving the military had a lack of knowledge of their rights or the agencies willing to help them. Some veterans experienced hostile social attitudes and a high percentage suffered from exposure to the lethal toxin “Agent Orange”, and continual readjustment obstacles.
B.V.S.J., Inc. has evolved since its humble beginnings into a community fixture. BVSJ employees understand that veterans and their families are also a community fixture. While a new generation of veterans has served this country, many have the same complications specifically getting quality medical care and treatment, high unemployment and inadequate services for soldiers re-entering into the civilian culture. BVSJ Veteran services are always served with “tender loving care and a listening ear.
Mission and Values
We will provide program services to assist military personnel make a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. We are dedicated to servicing military personnel, veterans and their families in the areas of social readjustment, housing, employment, compensation, disability, substance abuse, medical treatment, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, family intervention, prison counseling and relocation into the community, legal advocacy, discharge up-grade and redress of grievances within and outside the military.
We will provide counseling, benefits information and “tender loving care and an listening ear”!
BVSJ BELIEVES:
- All persons could be productive, positive contributions to society, no matter what sex, race, social class, military labels or problems may beset them;
- All humans wish to do the right thing, but do not often get the opportunity;
- Given a boost, a helping hand, all people, particularly veterans, would respond positively and productively.
Programs and Services
- Black Veterans for Social Justice sponsors many local seminars, workshops and activities throughout the community.
- Black Veterans for Social Justice Veterans Services Center has a holistic support apparatus and is a one stop-shop for veterans and their families and New Yorkers from all five boroughs. The Veterans Service Center provides program services to assist
military personnel make a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life. - BVSJ’s Housing Department has developed an extensive portfolio of diverse housing opportunities for veterans and marginalized New Yorkers. BVSJ efficiently manages several housing components of supportive housing for Chronically Homeless Veterans, Veterans with Substance abuse and/or Mental Illness, Female Veterans with children, Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, Chronically Homeless Adult Men and Women as well as a Veteran and their families. BVSJ offers housing opportunities for anyone that qualifies and live within the five boroughs of New York.
- The Emergency Rental Assistance Program assists households behind on their rent that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability. In addition, the program can provide temporary rental assistance and assistance with unpaid utility bills.
- Available resources and content for active duty military members and veterans experiencing PTSD and other mental health concerns.
Recurring Events
Volunteer with BVSJ Food Insecurity Program
September 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th at 9 am
Black Veterans for Social Justice
665 Willoughby Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY NY
Get Directions
Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc. has proudly served SMVFs for over 40 years and its enduring commitment is as relevant today as ever. Food insecurity threatens the livelihoods of 1.5 million Veteran households nationally with 59,000 Veterans living in New York State relying on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to feed themselves and their families— a number that only has worsened due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
Since July 2020, BVSJ and our partners will package and deliver 24,000 nutritional meal preparation kits for approximately 1,000 SMVF’s within the five boroughs of New York City. BVSJ will engage a representative sample of the SMVFs receiving these kits in focus group sessions.
This project is a demonstration of how partnerships between local and state government, nonprofits and community organizations can effectively collaborate for a common goal of feeding disabled, disenfranchised, and vulnerable proud SMVF’s.
Partnering organizations include the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services, The Campaign Against Hunger, VFW Post 5298, National Association of Black Military Women, Veteran Rebuild Life, Vets Inc. Food Pantry, NYC Veterans Alliance, American Legion Post 483, Veterans are Still Warriors, American Legion Dorie Miller Post 213, Military Spouses Association, and Community Health Action of Staten Island, NY Desi Society, American Legion Post Co-op City, and Worldwide Veterans and Family Service.
For more information on volunteering to help pack the kits, please contact Cheryl Fecunda at chfecunda@bvsj.org to get involved.
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