Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, Rockland County, NY

Rockland County in need of free accessible transportation to the VA Medical Centers at Castle Point and Montrose can call BRIDGES at 845-624-1366 x139 to make an appointment.

This past weekend we spent fun-filled day at Jones Beach State Park. About 30 Rockland Veterans and their families enjoyed sun, surf, a ropes course, and ziplining. We are grateful to all who organized the day. Funding for this trip is made possible through the Outdoor Rx Grant from the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.

Thank you Cookie Drop-Heart of the Hudson for joining us on our Wednesday Walk this morning and for brining so many delicious Girl Scouts Cookies!

We're back on the radio Monday! Tune in to WRCR on August 26th at 9:30 AM.

We are excited to share that the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Support Program will be back on WRCR! Our "Thank You For Your Service" show will return to the airwaves live on Monday, August 26th at 9:30 AM. Tune in to hear BRIDGES' Director of Veteran Services Marc Carlo discuss the great work being done on behalf of our Veterans.

We appreciate everyone who attended our monthly social today. Many thanks to Katherine Ward for taking and sharing these photos. If you are interested in attending the next social, give us a call at 845-624-1366.

Yesterday, August, 7, 2024, was National Purple Heart Day. We were honored to join the NYS Bridge Authority's tribute honoring local Purple Heart Veterans at the “Purple Heart Veterans Memorial Bear Mountain Bridge.” Along with local dignitaries, family, and friends, Purple Heart recipients, including our Peer Counselor Jerry Ganz, were recognized for their sacrifice.

Today we recognize the selflessness, bravery and sacrifice of those who were wounded or died while serving the the United States Military.

Join us tomorrow.

Many thanks to the New York Boulders Baseball organization for hosting Military Appreciation Night at Clover Stadium on August 5th. Our team was proud to attend. We met and shared information with scores of Veterans and their families about the Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, BRIDGES' Veteran Accessible Transportation, and the many other services available.

Please contact BRIDGES' Veteran Services Director Marc Carlo at 845-624-1366 if you'd like to learn more.

Our colleagues at Vet 2 Vet - Orange County, NY are sponsoring a blood drive August 6th in New Windsor. Please share, and, if you can, please donate.

We are holding a blood drive with MHA Dutchess Veterans Programs at Orange County NY Veterans Center - New Windsor, NY August 6 1200-1700(5pm). Everyone who comes out and donates blood will be automatically entered to win a prize package from Hudson Valley Renegades. Help save a life and come donate. Sign up on American Red Cross’s website

The Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support program took ten Veterans to Letchworth State Park last week. Of course, no trip is complete without sustenance, so a stop at the famous Roscoe Diner was a must. Traveling in our new van was convenient and comfortable. Though the weather scuttled plans for a hot air balloon ride, we spent the day marveling at the park's awe-inspiring landscape. You can see from the photos why Letchworth is known as the "Grand Canyon of the East!" Afterwards, we headed to the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, dedicated to the memory of the pioneer aviator and featuring a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history, but not before stopping at the Parkside Diner . Funding for this trip is made possible through an Outdoor Rx Grant from the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.

A few weeks ago, Rockland County Veterans experienced a "fintastic" fishing trip off of Long Island through the New York State Department of Veterans' Services Outdoor Rx Grant. Over 40 Rockland Veterans spent a picture-perfect day on the water sharing stories and making memories, and we definitely "caught a fish this big!"

We are proud to organize events like these to build camaraderie, fellowship, and friendship among Rockland's Veterans. We thank Bay Princess private charter-captree for hosting our trip on their boat, and we thank GK Limousine Services for getting us all there and back safely.

We have more events planned in the coming months, all open to Rockland County Veterans and their families. Call us at 845-624-1366 for more information.

BRIDGES provides Veteran Accessible Transportation to medical appointments at the Castle Point and Montrose Medical Centers. Call 845-624-1366 x139 for more information or to make an appointment.

Join this free webinar, presented by Amazon and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to learn how to build a business with Amazon! Discover how to create and grow a brand, self-publish with Kindle Direct Publishing, and explore various delivery opportunities. We will cover Amazon programs such as Amazon Influencer, Merch on Demand, Delivery Service Partner, Amazon Flex, and much more. Don't miss this chance to unlock new business opportunities!

Join us at our next social tomorrow, July 12th. Pre-registration is required.

News from County Government:

Calling all veterans and military members! The Rockland County Veterans Service Agency is offering Fresh Connect checks to Veterans, active-duty service members, and their immediate family members, as well as un-remarried surviving spouses of Veterans.

Booklets are distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, this month on Tuesdays & Fridays.

Anyone interested should contact the Rockland County VSA at 845-638-5244.

Join us at our next social on July 12th. Pre-registration is required.

Happy Birthday, America!

Reminder: Come walk with us tomorrow.

June 27 is Awareness Day. Learn the signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how you can address symptoms, whether mild, moderate, or severe.

If you or a loved one is in crisis, reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then press 1.

Today we recognize Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Are you a Veteran or family member of a Veteran living in Rockland County? Join us Wednesdays as we casually walk and talk about whatever comes to mind. We meet at BRIDGES on the second floor of the Palisades Center Mall, upstairs from Best Buy. You can join us every week or once in a while - you decide.

In honor of the Juneteenth holiday tomorrow, our Wednesday Walk is canceled. All Veterans and their family members are welcome to join us next week or any Wednesday morning at 9:30 AM at BRIDGES on the second floor of the Palisades Center Mall.

Today we recognize the Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act. Signed by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948, the legislation formally allowed women to serve as full, permanent members of all military branches even though thousands served the US Military since the Revolutionary War. Currently, women make up over 17% of active duty members.

We are grateful to the New York State Department of Veterans' Services for sharing this information about our recent trip and for the kind words about Mark Woods.

The Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program is here to help.

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Let's join hands to support our heroes who battle with PTSD every day. Together, we can make a difference!

Many veterans struggle with PTSD. This June, raise awareness and show your support. Learn more about PTSD and how you can help those affected at DVNF.org/ptsd/

Interested in learning how to play pickleball? Check out this opportunity for free lessons for Veterans at Rockland Lake State Park!