Social Enrichment - Veterans

Department of Veterans' Services


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Business and Entrepreneurship

VA Claims

CoveredNYCVet

Individual Care

Family Care

Housing

Health

Wellness

Business and Entrepreneurship


Social Enrichment: Volunteer and Networking Opportunities

Transitioning veterans and veterans experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to combat isolation by engaging in social enrichment programs with peers and civilians. The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) connects veterans to programs and resources that promote social enrichment, including volunteer opportunities, civic engagement, professional networking, and peer support resources.

Connect to social enrichment services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form and selecting “Social Enrichment” as your preferred service:

Connect to Social Enrichment Services

See below for a list of social enrichment opportunities available throughout the City:

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Volunteer with DVS

Mission: VetCheck is a partnership between New York Cares and DVS that leverages volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to veterans across the city. This vital outreach effort creates a crucial point of connection between veterans and their community through phone calls that provide resources and information about public services, including free meals, housing resources, employment information, and mental health services. Most importantly, this initiative creates a way for New Yorkers to express their gratitude to our veterans for their service to our country.

The Veterans Voices Project is DVS's oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of New York City veterans. Learn how you can volunteer as an interviewer to help document veteran stories.

Veterans, families, and supporters can help pack HelloFresh meal kits on Wednesday mornings at the Campaign Against Hunger’s Brooklyn Food Distribution Center. Meal kits will then be distributed to veteran families in need throughout NYC. This project is a collaboration between DVS, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, the Campaign Against Hunger, and Black Veterans for Social Justice. To learn how you can volunteer, contact DVS at connect@veterans.nyc.gov.

Volunteer with Veterans in Your Community

Mission Continues mobilizes veterans to serve their community through volunteer projects across NYC. The New York Platoon has four operations focused on supporting communities in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Since late 2014 and early 2015, our volunteers have collaborated with their communities to reimagine and reinvent spaces and places; strengthening the connections between the people and places they share to support an evolution of what the community is known for. Click here to volunteer with the New York Platoon.

VFW: VA Volunteer Service offers a unique level of support and experience that only an organization with a strong service history can provide. From experienced VFW mentors with a clear understanding of VA infrastructure and providing the support you need, to national recognition for volunteer accomplishments and dedication, we're here to ensure sure you get the most out of your volunteer service experience.

Locate and reach out to your local volunteer representative and get involved with the VFW's VA Voluntary Service program today.

For more information, contact the VFW's VA Volunteer Services Representative James Moss.

Volunteer for Veterans – DAV Drivers Make a Difference: Volunteering to drive a vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. This initiative is part of the DAV Transportation Network, administered by their Hospital Service Coordinators at VA medical facilities around the country.

Sign-up to volunteer to become a DAV driver

Volunteer to Support Seniors

Help NYC's most vulnerable population from experiencing social isolation. Volunteer with the New York City Department for the Aging to make phone calls to older adults.

All volunteers must:

Be age 21 or older

Pass a background check (a Social Security number is required)

Be patient with and kind to older adults

Maintain the confidentiality of people served

To learn more call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or visit the New York City Department for the Aging volunteer page.

Volunteer with New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT)

New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT) members are dedicated volunteers who undergo a training program that provides basic response skills needed for fire safety, light search and rescue, community disaster support, disaster medical operations, and traffic control.

Become a volunteer today