November 2018 Newsletter

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November 2018 Newsletter

Thanksgiving Edition 


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Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs

One Judiciary Square           
441 4th Street, NW
Suite 870 North
Washington, D.C., 20004
202.724-5454

www.ova.dc.gov


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Please add dcdocs@dc.gov to your address book, email safe senders list, or contact list to ensure that our emails reach you!



Veteran Crisis Line - phone

Veteran Crisis Line - Chat

Crisis line text

Women Vet Call Center

Women Vet Chat

va homeless 2

CRRC

Click here for more information about the Washington D.C. VA Community Resource and Referral Center. 


DCVAMC

Click here for more information about the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center.



Veterans Startup Accelerator

startup

Are you looking to Accelerate your Startup? If you dream of owning your own business or taking your business to the next level, then come check out this free workshop series.  

The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs has partnered with “Open for Business Ventures” to launch The Veteran Business Startup Network.  

The Veteran Business Startup Network is a 6 session Pilot Business Accelerator Program convening on December 3rd – 5th and December 10th – 12th Participants will obtain the skills required in learning and applying the necessary startup skills to launch a business (Innovation, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Management, Marketing Plans, Startup Plans, & Business Selection etc.).

Awards totaling $2000 to be presented for Top 4 Startup Plans.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

You can also contact Sharod Wade, CJ Meenan, or you can call the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs at 202-724-5454. 


In Case You Missed It

Center City PCS Veterans Day Program 

pcs

On November 7, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and veterans from all service branches joined Center City Public Charter School in Brightwood for their annual Veterans Day celebration.  This is the third year in a row our veterans have had an opportunity to join the students at Center City to discuss military service and what Veterans Day means to them. We are already looking forward to next year!

Thank you to all of the students who continue to make this an incredibly special event!


Invalid Corps Movie Screening with Office of Disability Rights 

invalid corps 2

On November 7, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs joined the Office of Disability Rights for a screening of the movie, Invalid Corps.  

Created in 1863, the Invalid Corps was made up of men who had been “disabled by wounds or by disease contracted in the line of duty”. In July 1864, the Invalid Corps were the only defenders of Washington, DC against Confederate General Jubal Early and his 15,000 fighting men. This is the story of men with disabilities, of men with honor, and of men whose place in history shouldn't be forgotten.

Thank you to the Office of Disability Rights for hosting this event! 


University of the District of Columbia 

&

Harbor Square Veterans Day Events

udc & Harbor Square

On November 8, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs started the day by joining the University of the District of Columbia for their annual Veterans Day celebration.  The key note speaker was Shay Rangel, an Air Force veteran, and member of Mayor Bowser's Advisory Board on Veterans Affairs.

Our day ended with a local Veterans Day celebration at Harbor Square apartments in Southwest Washington D.C. It was a pleasure to join the veterans and other residences of Harbor Square to explain the mission of our office and connect them with our many programs and services. 


DCHA Stand At Ease Conference 

dcha

On November 9, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs joined with the DC Housing Authority for a Stand At Ease conference honoring our veterans who receive HUD-VASH vouchers and other forms of housing assistance.  It was a great opportunity to connect them with additional wrap around services and benefits. 

A special thanks to The Veterans Pro Bono Consortium for organizing an onsite DD-214 upgrade clinic. 


Veterans Day of Service 

service project

On November 10, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs, Serve DC, The Mission Continues, Veterans, and Community Members joined together for a service project at Clay Terrace in Ward 7.  It was an excellent way to celebrate the 243rd Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day.  


PTS Awareness Special 

pts

On November 11, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment aired our first PTS Awareness Special feature the stories of local veterans who have served our county and subsequently had to over come symptoms of PTS.  

Thank you to all of our veterans for sharing their stories and encouraging all veterans to seek help.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE SPECIAL


Armed Forces Retirement Home Veterans Day Ceremony

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On November 11, 2018, Mayor Bowser joined the veteran residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home for their annual Veterans Day ceremony and wreath laying.  Mayor Bowser joins the Armed Forces Retirement Home every year on Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. 

Thank you to the Armed Forces Retirement Home and all of the Veteran residents for hosting us on Veterans Day.


Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of DC and the DC National Guard Veterans Day Event

oldest inhab

On November 11, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs joined the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of DC and the DC National Guard for a their joint observance of the centennial of the Armistice on November 11, 2018.  The event was a resounding success. 


Korean War Veteran Comes Home

Pressley

On November 12, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs joined Congresswomen Norton, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, MPD, and members of the DC community to welcome home a Ward 1 Korean War veteran whose house was renovated to provide him with safe and comfortable living conditions.  

Purple Heart Homes took a lead role in restoring the house. While The Home Depot Foundation, which works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, contributed additional resources and manpower. Two local nonprofits, A Wider Circle and LightHouse DC, helped supply furnishings, and Comcast is providing with free internet and cable.

You can read more about this event here.


The John and Jill Ker Conway Residence's Veterans Day Lunch

conway

On November 13, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs joined the veteran residents of The John and Jill Ker Conway Residence for their annual Veterans Day lunch.  We conducted onsite signups for VetsRide and pinned 45 Vietnam era veterans with lapels pins to highlight their service and sacrifice to our nation. 


Caregiver Conference

caregiver

On November 17, 2018, The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs, hosted Dr. Eve Taylor with Radio One and the Washington DC VA Medical Center's Mental Health Advisory Board for a Veterans Caregiver Conference.  

Thank you to all of the caregivers who joined us! 

Additional military and veteran caregiver resources are available here.


Veteran Resource of the Month

DD-214 Upgrade Clinic

nvlsp

The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs is hosting the National Veterans Legal Services Program for an information session on DD-214 Upgrades and Medical Retirement, followed by individual consultations with licensed attorneys.  If you have questions about your discharge status or whether you qualify for medical retirement, come out and join us! 

When & Where:

Wednesday, December 5, 2018  9am – 3pm 

441 4th Street, NW, Suites 1114 & 870 North

Know Your Rights-Tips for Veterans Info Brief:  9am – 10am  in Conference Room 1114

Meet with an Attorney:  10am – 3pm  in the MOVA Office, Room 870 North

 Call  202-724-5454  for an appointment.

Having a less than honorable discharge can prevent a veteran from accessing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services including health care and other social services as well as District level programs and benefits.  The Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to ensuring that the service of our veterans is reflected in their military records so that they may be able to fully access the services and benefits they have earned.

All branches of the military consider you to have a strong case for a discharge upgrade if you can show your discharge was connected to any of these categories:

  • Mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Sexual assault or harassment during military service
  • Sexual orientation (including under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy)

From The Mayor

MMB

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,

This holiday season, I have a lot to be grateful for. I am blessed and grateful to be Miranda’s mom – to have her in my life and to be by her side as she discovers the world around us. I am grateful to have four more years to continue working with Washingtonians to spread prosperity and build opportunity as the mayor of my hometown. And I am grateful to live in and lead a city as diverse and inclusive as Washington, DC, with neighbors who are committed to protecting DC values and looking out for one another’s well-being.

As we go into December, let's commit to working together to close out the year strong. 

Last week, we launched A Home for the Holidays – a citywide campaign to place 450 of our city’s most vulnerable households into permanent housing during the holiday season. Last year, we set a goal of housing 400 families and individuals, and with the community’s help, we were able to exceed that goal and move 422 households into permanent housing. Now, we are calling on landlords and residents to help us do even better. Whether you are a landlord willing to work with the District to provide affordable housing or a resident able to donate housewares, clothing, or toys for newly housed families and individuals, you can help us. Learn more about A Home for the Holidays HERE.

In addition, please take a moment to check out yesterday’s Cold Weather Telephone Town Hall to learn more about how you can help us keep residents experiencing homelessness safe throughout hypothermia season.

Once again, thank you for helping us make this a joyful and safe time of year for all of our neighbors.

Happy Thanksgiving, DC. 

Sincerely,

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Connect with your Mayor!

Mayor Muriel Bowser

John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | Washington DC, 20004

(202) 727-2643

muriel.bowser@dc.gov | mayor.dc.gov | @mayorbowser


Featured Jobs, Fellowships, and Interships


DC Infrastructure Academy 

DCIA

The District of Columbia Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) is a key initiative of Mayor Muriel Bowser's Administration, led by the Department of Employment Services.

Infrastructure is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. DOES has opened the DC Infrastructure Academy to meet the need for skilled infrastructure professionals in Washington, DC.

DCIA coordinates, trains, screens and recruits residents to fulfill the needs of the infrastructure industry and infrastructure jobs with leading companies in this high-demand field. DCIA is located in the Anacostia neighborhood in Ward 8.

Programs and services include:

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
  • Energy & Utilities
  • Auto Mechanic Training
  • OSHA 10
  • Solar Panel Installation
  • Interview Skills
  • Job Fairs
  • Job Referrals and more!

DC Infrastructure Academy Address:

2330 Pomeroy Road, SE

Washington, DC 20020

Closest Metro Station: Anacostia Metro Station

Closest Bus Lines:  A33, W2, W3, W6, W8, and 94

For more information about opportunities to partner or to register for training call 202-899-6040 or email DCIA@dc.gov.


SOME Center for Employment Training

some

For all DC Veterans in search of employment.  Transfer your skills and become certified for free at SOME (So Others Might Eat) Center for Employment Training.  SOME CET provides training for careers as Medical Administrative Assistants and Building Maintenance Service Technicians. Students earn occupational credentials and certifications.  Contact SOME to apply: 202-292-4460 or Click Here for more information. 


MOTA

Executive Service/Cabinet Positions

Policy and Program Specialist


DOES

 

The D.C. Department of Employment Services is here to help veterans who need assistance finding employment.  Check out their veterans services page to learn more about the veteran employment services DOES offers.  Don't hesitate to reach out to them.


Hilton Conrad, Washington DC is Hiring 

hilton

The wait is almost over and we will be opening soon, the team has started recruiting - and we are looking for veterans and spouses! 

Come meet the Hilton Recruitment Team:

Thursday, November 29th, 2018 9am-2pm

Located at:

The Madison Hotel Washington DC 1177 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005

Be sure to upload your resume before the event!

This event is open to the public!


HillVets Fellowships

hillvets

Interested in policy and politics?  With the support of 22 Members of Congress, HillVets is currently seeking applicants for House of Representatives Fellowships.  

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO


Exelon Corporation

exelon

Energy impacts our natural ecosystem, human society, our day-to-day lives, and our shared prosperity. At Exelon, people do important work, and with a company that values inclusion, diversity, and professional development. 

Jobs for Military and Veterans can be found here.


Upcoming Events


Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Program 

vietnam

The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs is launching a new Vietnam Veteran recognition program.  If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, you are eligible to receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.  

Additional details on our new program can be found here.  

For more information, please call us at 202-724-5454.  


Veterans Affairs Advisory Board Meeting 

advisory board

The Advisory Board serves as an advisory body to the Mayor, the Mayor's Office of Boards and Commissions, the Office of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Employment Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and other District government departments, agencies, and offices on all matters pertaining to Veterans in the District of Columbia  All meetings are open to the public - please come out and join us! 

Time and Date:

Thursday, December 4, 2018, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Location:

441 4th Street, Northwest
Conference Room 1114
Washington, DC 20001

Call In Information:

Dial in: 712-451-0862
Passcode: 821260


Want Your Event Featured in the Newsletter?

The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs Newsletter is distributed to over 8,500 subscribers every month. If you would like your event to be featured in our calendar, please submit the following details: what, when and where the event will take place. If available, please provide a link to direct readers to more online information.  Please send all inquiries and posts to ova@dc.gov.


Click Here To Sign Up For News From The Mayor's Office Of Veterans Affairs

Director Ely S. Ross

202-724-5454

www.ova.dc.gov

In an effort to commemorate and honor “Veterans Day” the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) veterans program in partnership with the DC National Guard and Employ Prince George's (EPG) is hosting and facilitating, the 2nd annual “Veterans Appreciation Employment Expo”. This venue’s purpose is to assemble selected veteran friendly employers, apprenticeship programs, training providers, veteran service organizations and HVRP Grantees and give them an opportunity to showcase their respective organizations job vacancies, programs, services and resources to our veteran population in one central location.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER