The Erie County Veterans Service Agency and D’Youville College are collaborating to expand our veterans educational programs.

Beginning Wednesday January 20, 2010, Mr. Ed Draper a US Navy veteran and counselor at the D’Youville College Veterans Assistance Office will be working at the Erie County Veterans Service Agency Offices from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

He will meet with veterans who are interested in learning about their educational benefits no matter what school they are planning to attend. This one on one counseling will provide eligible veterans information about the federal and state educational and vocational benefits they have earned. To set up an appointment call; 716.858.6363.

Veterans Educational Counseling Services

WHEN: Every Wednesday

TIME: Between 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

WHERE: Erie County Veterans Service Agency Office
95 Franklin St. Suite 800
Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone number to set up an appointment; 716.858.6363.

If you are a veteran seeking information on educational benefits then you need to see us. If you know of a veteran who is looking advance their education please pass this information on to them.

I greatly appreciate the outstanding response from D’Youville College and our “Veteran Friendly Schools” in Erie County for the tremendous support of our military veterans. Thank you

In an effort to meet the needs of our local veterans, active military personnel and their loved ones, we conduct a series of “Listening Circles” the second Wednesday of each month. Come and join us for the next meeting:

WHEN: Wednesday January 13, 2010

WHERE: Daemen College – Wick Center – Alumni Lounge
4380 Main St.
Amherst, NY

TIME: 5:30 PM

The goal of the Listening Circle is to develop a “safe space” for all voices and cultivate understanding among the listeners. The spirit of a Listening Circle is to acknowledge and honor the worth of all present. The Listening Circle can help participants to:
• develop and enhance relationships
• rebuild trust - person-to-person and member to the community
• develop and strengthen skills needed to discuss deeply held beliefs and values while staying committed to the group.
Please spread the word and encourage anyone you know who may be touched by the present conflict to attend.

For more information please contact Renee Daniel - rdaniel@daemen.edu

This program, in partnership with First Niagara Financial Group, is designed to help veterans deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression related to their service, while improving their ability to function within the family unit.
Beginning on January 14, 2010, classes will be held at the AEI office at 121 Humboldt Parkway, adjacent to the Medaille College Campus, including weekly sessions with certified teaching artists and counselors. Theater, music, spoken word, painting, video and drawing are the mediums that will be used to help veterans explore their emotions and experiences as individuals and through active, team-based participation. Work will be presented in a gallery exhibit and public performance event at the end of the six-week session. Three, six-week sessions are planned during 2010.
The RCC will support both the gallery and performance events at the culmination of each of the six-week sessions, and the Buffalo Vet Center will measure and report participant progress through follow-up sessions with both veteran and family over the course of a three year period.
AEI has a documented success with Teaching Artists utilizing art therapy to engage and provide participants the opportunity to express their experiences, emotions, and life through art to diverse populations including AIDS Community Services and local mental health and disabled organizations.
According to the American Art Therapy Associations website “the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self awareness, and achieve insight.” These factors are key components to the well being of service members who have given so much in defense of our country and key components to addressing At-Risk-Families of veterans.
The program is FREE to veterans.

WRITER’S CENTER SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN TO WOMEN VETERANS
The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md., is calling for applications for the Ann Darr Scholarship for deserving writers who wish to take workshops offered by the Center. If you are female veteran or active-duty soldier, you can get a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition for one writing workshop. Additional scholarships are available for those applicants who re-apply and/or receive instructor recommendation.
To apply, send a 1-2 page cover letter that discusses your armed service experience and your specific goals and aspirations. Applications should be postmarked by February 15, 2010 and e-mailed to charles.jensen@writer.org or sent to Charles Jensen, Director, The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815.
Find out more at https://www.writer.org/news/news.asp?id=204

VA Western New York Healthcare System is proud to begin its new program Support and Family

Education, or S.A.F.E, for family members of veterans who deal with mental illness. S.A.F.E is a bi-

weekly workshop that will educate family members about the mental health of America’s heroes.

SAFE is a free program that meets every other Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning

December 15, 2009 and ending August 24, 2010. Each workshop deals with different mental health

issues and information that can help family members better understand issues and concerns their

loved ones are facing.

SAFE is open to family members and older adolescents of veterans in Freedom Hall, room 301 at the

Buffalo site, VA Western New York Healthcare System, 3495 Bailey Avenue. For more information

please contact Dr. Elizabeth Wahlig at 862-7473 or Toyia Burgess at 862-7384.

BUFFALO, NY – November 11, 2009 – The Roycroft Campus Corporation has teamed with the Arts in Education Institute of WNY and the Buffalo Vet Center to develop the Veterans Art Therapy Program to help local service members. The program, which was developed to allow veterans to explore their experiences and emotions through multiple art disciplines, will begin after January 1, 2010.

The Veterans Art Program will include sessions in theater, music, and spoken word, combined with painting, video and drawing, taught by certified art therapists and Institute-trained professional Teaching Artists. Designed by the Arts in Education Institute, and outreach specialists from the Buffalo Vet Center, weekly classes will be held at the Institute Center at 121 Humboldt Pkwy, and other locations. This exciting program will allow veterans an opportunity to explore their emotions and experiences through active, team-based participation. This group engagement seeks to create a setting similar to the squad camaraderie familiar to all service members. Veterans’ work will be presented in a gallery exhibit and public performance event at the end of the six-week session.

The not-for-profit Roycroft Campus Corporation, which has undertaken the restoration of the National Historic Landmark Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, will provide artisan support and host the gallery event.

“This is a great opportunity for the Roycroft community to embrace our veterans and help them with their experiences through our artisans,” stated Dan Frontera, Director of Development. “Any opportunity that we have to give back to our veterans and help them work through their experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan or Vietnam truly embodies the spirit of Roycroft. We are very proud to partner with the Arts in Education Institute and the VA,” he continued.

For more information on the Veterans Art Program, contact the Arts in Education Institute at 880-3292 or visit the website at http://www.facebook.com/l/32435;www.artsined.com. Veterans can also receive information on the program by contacting the Buffalo Vet Center at 862-7350.

VA Western New York Healthcare System at Buffalo will be presented the National Prosthetic Facility of the Year Award selected amongst all VA medical centers in the United States on National Prosthetics Day, Monday, November 16.

The award will be presented by Mr. Frederick Downs, Chief National Prosthetics & Clinical Logistics Officer during a vendor fair showcasing prosthetics equipment and devices at 1:15pm in Freedom Hall, room 301.

Buffalo VA Prosthetics earned the award due to success in all metrics, such as timeliness, outstanding service and systems improvement. Buffalo VA re-designed service flow for better patient care to include a waiting area with toys for children. In addition, the department received and implemented use of a computer aided design system for prosthetics and orthotics.

Medical Center Director, William Feeley said, “the staff takes pride in ensuring Veterans get top notch service and care. They embrace innovation, improving the lives of Veterans.”

The Buffalo VA Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab is accredited by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. (ABC) and the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE).

Thanksgiving dinner will be served to homeless and other needy veterans and their families,

Sunday, November 22, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Buffalo VA, 3495 Bailey Avenue in

Buffalo, New York.

Judi Kaczmarek, Human Resources Specialist has organized the event for the last nine years.

She has been gratified with the response received by both the staff and the veterans served

from previous years. The event occurs the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day in order to provide

a hot meal to those in need. Admission is by ticket only. Homeless veterans and veterans in

need can call 881-5855 to obtain a ticket and learn more about transportation.

About 150 veterans and their families will be treated to a turkey and ham dinner with all the

trimmings that will be served by staff in the VA Food Court located in the hospital’s lower level.

Veteran Service Organizations and other community groups have made donations for the event.

Entertainment by children of staff and a magic show will highlight the festivities this year. VA

health care and other veterans’ benefits information will be provided to veterans with the

opportunity to enroll in VA health care at the event.

The Erie County Veterans Service Agency and the Buffalo Bills are pleased to announce a special Military and Veterans Discount for the Indianapolis Colts home game on Sunday January 3, 2010.

For this game, active duty, reserve and guard personnel and veterans can purchase the $ 45 game tickets for $ 35.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Buffalo Vet Center moved to a new location, 2372 Sweet Home Road.

The Buffalo Vet Center recently celebrated 30 years of service and was among the first in the nation to be

established in November 1979 as a result of a Congressional mandate for a specialized program of counseling

and advocacy services for Viet Nam War Veterans and their families. In 1992, veterans of all military conflicts

since Viet Nam could take advantage of Vet Center services. True to its early mission, the VA’s Vet Center

Program still provides non-medical readjustment counseling to returning War Veterans and their families in a

community setting.