As we reflect on 2023, Black Veterans for Social Justice invites you to relive our top 5 moments from the last year. Scroll to the bottom to read about each one!
5. Veterans Resource Fair
We kicked off the year with a remarkable event in February, hosting a Veterans Resource Fair that set the stage for a big announcement by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He revealed a generous $1,000,000 grant for our Incarcerated Veterans Transitional Program, which is focused on helping formerly incarcerated veterans with housing, jobs, and other essential services. We had a fantastic turnout with many organizations in attendance, including the NYC Department for the Aging, the NYC Human Resources Administration, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, AARP, Forbes Media, and more.
4. 1,000,000+ Meals Distributed
In partnership with HelloFresh and The Campaign Against Hunger, we reached an incredible milestone this year by distributing over 1,000,000 meals to veterans and the broader community. Every Wednesday we distribute fresh, nutritious meals to the community, no questions asked.
This achievement reflects our commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting those who have served our nation. Rain, snow, or shine, you can be sure that we will always be there to service our community.
3. 44th Annual Gala
In July 2023 we hosted our 44th Annual Gala. It was an unforgettable night of fun, celebration and honoring those who continue to serve veterans and their families. Thanks to support from people like you, we raised funds that will enable veterans to access crucial services such as counseling for PTSD, vocational training, housing assistance and food insecurity programs.
2. MTA x BVSJ Campaign
In collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the MTA, we launched a citywide advertising campaign to combat veteran suicide. Our mission is simple: to ensure that every veteran struggling with suicidal ideations understands that they have support, and that they aren’t alone.
With over 8,000 ads on all city subways, busses, and stations, we aim to reach veterans wherever they are in New York City. You can learn more about this campaign here.
1. Veterans EveryDay Campaign
In November, we officially launched our ‘Veterans EveryDay‘ campaign. Our ‘Veterans EveryDay’ campaign is a testament to our unwavering commitment to U.S. veterans. It’s not just a program; it’s a movement, a daily reminder that every day is an opportunity to
honor the men and women who have served our nation. We recognize that the contributions of veterans are not confined to the past; they are ongoing, and our support needs to be as well. Through our campaign, we celebrate the courage and sacrifice of our veterans by ensuring that their needs are meet and their voices are heard — today and everyday. We call on you to be a part of this enduring mission, not just on one day in November, but on every day of every year. When the parades have ended and the speeches have concluded, let’s remember that it’s not just Veterans Day, it’s Veterans Every Day.
