Veterans Resource Guide This guide was published in collaboration by Jefferson Community College and Catholic Charities. May 2013 Funding in part was provided from a grant from the AMERICORPS VISTA Program administered through the New York Campus Compact.
Table of Contents Introduction... 3 Veterans Service Organizations... 4 Disabled American Veterans... 5 Veterans of Foreign Wars... 5 Fort Drum Resources... 6 College Resources... 7 Veterans Administration... 8 Community Agencies... 9-12 Community-Based Food Pantries... 13-14 Veterans Affairs Website Listing... 15 2 Veterans Resource Guide
Veterans Resource Guide Introduction In recognition of the issues that face our brave men and women as they return to civilian life, Jefferson Community College, in collaboration with Catholic Charities and various community service organizations, has produced this resource guide for veterans. The transition from active duty into the civilian community brings with it challenges that can be overwhelming. The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive listing of local resources that can provide the assistance needed. Please share this information with your brothers and sisters in arms. Welcome Home! Please contact the Veterans Services Coordinator at Jefferson Community College, 315-786-6590, with suggested listings and changes. Published May 2013 Funding in part was provided from a grant from the AMERICORPS VISTA Program administered through the New York Campus Compact. Veterans Resource Guide 3
Veterans Service Organizations The American Legion As America s largest veteran s wartime service organization, the American Legion provides Veterans Administration claims assistance, financial assistance, couseling services and support to veterans and active duty personnel. Post #1757 209 Ambrose Street Sackets Harbor, NY 13685 315-646-3530 Post #583 113 East Dexter Street Black River, NY 13612 315-773-5768 Post #586 10 South Main Street Adams, NY 13605 315-232-2715 Post #61 138 Sterling Street 315-788-0911 Post #789 415 West street Carthage, NY 13619 315-493-2787 Post #821 518 Riverside Drive Clayton, NY 13624 315-686-3442 Post #832 248 Broadway Cape Vincent, NY 13618 315-654-2101 Post #904 9 Rock Street Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 315-482-3865 Post #65 163 East Main Street Gouverneur, NY 13642 315-287-4590 4 Veterans Resource Guide
Disabled American Veterans Disabled American Veterans assists families and veterans with initiating and tracking benefit claims filed with the Veterans Administration for disability compensation. Disabled American Veterans provides free transportation for veterans who need care at Veterans Administration Hospitals and provides financial assistance as available to support veterans and family needs. Chapter #18 231 Bellew Avenue 315-788-4854 Veterans of Foreign Wars This unique organization of wartime veterans provides claims assistance to veterans and families for compensation from the Veterans Administration. The VFW also provides support to veterans and active duty personnel in obtaining assistance in financial and counseling needs. Post #1400 231 Bellew Avenue 315-788-2945 Post #5218 113 East Dexter Street Black River, NY 13612 315-773-5768 Post #5344 10 South Main Street Adams, NY 13605 315-232-2214 Post #7227 415 West Street Carthage, NY 13619 315-493-0530 Veterans Resource Guide 5
Fort Drum Resources Army Career and Alumni Program ACAP provides transition services and employment assistance for active duty personnel returning to the civilian community. Building P 10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd. Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-5534 Army Community Services ACS, a resource haven for active military soldiers and families, provides programs designed to enhance quality of life. Building P-4330 Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-6799 Fort Drum Behavioral Health Works with active duty personnel to develop evaluations and treatment plans for individuals in need. Fort Drum Social Work Services Works with active military and family members to develop strategies for assisting in quality of health issues, as well as financial crisis intervention. Building P-36 Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-3623 Morale Welfare & Recreation MWR provides active and veteran personnel with recreational support including equipment rental, reduced ticket sales and assistance with travel planning. Building P 10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd. Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-6894 Building P-36 Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-2778 6 Veterans Resource Guide
College Resources Coordinator of Veterans Affairs SUNY Canton/SUNY Potsdam Provides veteran financial certification for college attendance and resource assistance for veteran students. Veterans Affairs Cook Hall, SUNY Canton Canton, NY 13617 315-386-7037 massorop@canton.edu Military Programs Provides educational counseling and support to active duty, veterans and families within Jefferson Community College (JCC) and affiliates. Don Johnson Jefferson Community College 315-786-6566 djohnson@sunyjefferson.edu JCC Health & Wellness Center Provides individualized assistance to students, both veterans and non-veterans, needing medical and/or psychological care. Jefferson Community College McVean Center, Room 4-104A 315-786-2376 Financial Certification / Services Reviews individual s qualification for veteran s educational benefits and then certifies to the Office of Veterans Affairs enrollment, which allow students to receive funding for classes and living expenses. Mariya Clemons Jefferson Community College Jules Center, Room 6-024 315-786-2283 mclemons@sunyjefferson.edu Veterans Services Coordinator Assists veterans in identifying un-met needs and determining resources. Works with community-based agencies to enlist their assistance in providing resources to the veteran. Dwight Doane Jefferson Community College Extended Learning Center Room E-109 315-786-6590 ddoane@sunyjefferson.edu Learning Success Center (LSC) Provides students with testing, evaluation and assistance with issues that create a difficult learning environment. Jefferson Community College Jules Center, Room 6-202 315-786-2288 Veterans Resource Guide 7
Veterans Administration The Veterans Administration provides resources for veterans to cover educational, health and compensation determination. Veterans Administration, Fort Drum Assists veterans and family members with application processes required to apply for disability compensation through the Veterans Administration. Provides follow-up on status inquiries made by veterans or family members. Building P-36 Fort Drum, NY 13602 315-772-5768 Vet Center Provides continued quality care for combat veterans and their families, including professional readjustment counseling, community education and outreach to special populations. 210 Court Street, Suite 20 315-782-5479 Veterans Homeless Prevention Works with veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, to assist them in obtaining emergency and long term housing. CANI Building 19472 Rte. 11 315-350-1412 Debra.baxter2@va.gov 8 Veterans Resource Guide
Jefferson County American Red Cross Provides assistance to military members, veterans and their families to prepare for cope, and respond to challenges of military and post military service. The Red Cross provides emergency communications, training, support and assistance to wounded warriors and veterans. Community Agencies Catholic Charities Catholic Charities assists with economic stability and counseling services for families and individuals in crisis. Support may include counseling and financial aid, community education, information, and referral, and casework services as needed. Assistance is non-religion based. Red Cross Watertown Chapter 203 North Hamilton Street 315-782-4410 www.redcrossnny.com Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Provides employment opportunities and services for all individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 321 Prospect Street 315-782-2451 www.asnblindjeff.org Director, Catholic Charities Diocese of Ogdensburg Wadhams Hall Ogdensburg, NY 13669 315-393-2255 www.catholiccharities.org Catholic Charities Watertown 145 Clinton Street 315-788-4330 Consumer Credit Counseling Provides clients with budget assistance and resources for handling housing delinquencies as well as financial planning. 215 Washington Street 315-782-2277 www.cccscny.org Veterans Resource Guide 9
Community Agencies cont. Disabled Persons Action Organization DPAO provides quality and effective individualized services to developmentally challenged children and adults. 617 Davidson St. 315-782-3577 www.dpao.org Jefferson County Veterans Services Officer Provides individualized assistance in filing claims for compensation with the Veterans Administration as well as status inquiries from veterans and their families. 175 Arsenal Street 315-785-3086 peterf@co.jefferson.ny.us Jefferson County Department of Social Services (DSS) Works with families and individuals to determine qualification for assistance with quality of life, including housing, food and utilities. 250 Arsenal Street 315-782-9030 Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) Supervises programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. Includes temporary cash assistance, assistance paying for food and heating, overseeing New York State s child support enforcement program, determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits, supervising homeless housing and services programs, and assisting certain immigrant populations. 40 North Pearl Street Albany, NY 12207 518-473-1090 nyspio@otda.ny.gov 10 Veterans Resource Guide
Community Agencies cont. St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House Responds immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County, empowering victims and increasing community awareness. 3 Chapel Street Canton, NY 13617 315-379-9845 renewalhouse@verizon.net Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Provides counseling and tutoring to individuals interested in starting their own business. Individuals are provided with tools to develop individual business plans and information required to determine the feasibility of their ideas. SBDC Jefferson Community College 1220 Coffeen Street 315-782-9262 sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu Social Security Administration Oversees eligibility requirements and the application process for receiving Social Security Benefit payments including disability claims. 156 Bellew Avenue 866-627-6996 www.ssa.gov Transitional Living Services of Northern New York Provides assistance to persons with mental illnesses who require counseling and rehabilitative services. Also assist people with homelessness and poverty, including veterans. 482 Black River Parkway 315-782-1777 www.tlsnny.com Veterans Resource Guide 11
Community Agencies cont. Veterans Peer to Peer Outreach Center Provides a safe haven for veterans to discuss all issues relating to their military service. Individuals are encouraged to share with each other and trained counselors are available to assist as needed. Watertown Urban Mission Provides resources for individuals and families in crisis to obtain services, food, household goods and counseling. 247 Factory Street 315-782-8440 watertownurbanmission@yahoo.com 247 State Street 315-681-6772 www.jeffcooutreachcenter.org 12 Veterans Resource Guide
Community-Based Food Pantries Antwerp Food Pantry 45 Main Street Antwerp, NY 13608 Mondays, 6-7 p.m. CAPC Food Pantry 518 Davidson Street 315-782-4900 Tuesday thru Thursday 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Cape Vincent Food Pantry 260 E. Broadway Cape Vincent, NY 13618 Every first Wednesday of the month, 4-5 p.m. Council of Churches Food Pantry 518 Mary Street Clayton, NY 13619 Mondays and Wednesdays 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. Depauville Food Pantry 32487 State Rte. 12 Depauville, NY 13632 Mondays, 12-3 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Faith Fellowship Church Food Pantry 131 Moore Avenue September thru June: Monday Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July and August: Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feed Our Vets Parking Lot of the Watertown Vets Center 210 Court Street Every 3 rd Saturday of the month 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Eligibility: previously registered or present a valid DD214 form) Gwen s Pantry 36213 Rte. 180 LaFargeville, NY 13656 Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Indian River Baptist Church Food Pantry 42 East Main Street Theresa, NY 13691 Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Veterans Resource Guide 13
Community-Based Food Pantries cont. Rhode Community Center Food Pantry 2 East Church Street Adams, NY 13605 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Salvation Army Food Pantry (Watertown) 723 State Street 315-782-4470 Emergency Basis Only Salvation Army Soup Kitchen (Watertown) 723 State Street 315-782-4430 Monday thru Saturday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Marys Food Pantry 8408 South Main Street Evans Mills, NY 13637 Saturdays, 3-5 p.m. St. Paul s Food Pantry 43668 Lake Street Redwood, NY 13679 Wednesdays, 1:30-3 p.m. Theresa Food Pantry 117 Riverside Avenue Theresa, NY 13691 Thursdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. VEM Food Pantry of Carthage 452 South Washington Street Carthage, NY 13619 Mondays and Fridays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Watertown Urban Mission Food Pantry 247 Factory Street Monday thru Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. August Only: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 14 Veterans Resource Guide
Department of Veterans Affairs Websites Center for Minority Veteran Affairs http://va.gov//centerforminorityveterans/ Center for Women s Affairs http://www.va.gov/womenvet/ Directory of Veteran Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/ National Cemetery Administration http://www.cem.va.gov/ Veterans Benefits Administration http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ VA Congressional & Legislative Affairs http://www.va.gov/oca/ VA E-Benefits https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal VA Office for Survivor Assistance http://va.gov/survivors/ Veterans Health Administration http://va.gov/health/default.asp Veterans Resource Guide 15
Continuing Education Division Jefferson Community College 1220 Coffeen Street 315-786-2233 / 315-786-6590