NYSID Welcomes Dutchess CC to Battle Buddy Center Family
In celebration of Veterans' Day, NYSID dedicated its newest Battle Buddy Center on November 10 at Dutchess Community College, in collaboration with Access: Supports for Living.
Among those who participated in the event:
- Congressman John Faso, (R-19)
- NYS Senator Sue Serino (R,C,IP-Hyde Park)
- Representative of NYS Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess)
- Ron Romano, NYSID president & CEO; Paul Quirini, NYSID outreach & communications specialist; Andy Grosso and Jim Haggerty, NYSID veterans consultants
- Pamela Edington, Ed.D., Dutchess Community College president; Stewart Dawes, Dutchess Community College veterans resource coordinator
- Antoinette Elizondo, Access: Supports for Living vice president of industrial services
- Nelson Eddy Rivera, Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health director of Veterans' Services
- Student veterans from Dutchess Community College
Battle Buddy Centers are safe havens for veterans to socialize with their fellow veterans and receive services they need. Based on the military concept of a "Battle Buddy," which partners soldiers to assist each other both in and out of combat, Battle Buddy Centers offer activities to encourage camaraderie and foster veterans to give and receive mutual support.
"NYSID provides livelihoods for a diverse group of New Yorkers with disabilities through our member agencies and assists with veterans' support programs, promoting quality of life for veterans as they reconnect to the New York State workforce," said Ron Romano, NYSID president & CEO. "Based upon the current veteran population and the anticipated growth of veterans' programs and services, NYSID is pleased to partner with Dutchess Community College and Access: Supports for Living in this Battle Buddy Center."
Through this Battle Buddy Center, NYSID and Dutchess Community College provide a space for 130 active duty students, veterans, their spouses and dependents to study, socialize with one another, and receive services they need. The space includes a study lab with computers, a lounge with a flat-screen TV, microwave, refrigerator and other amenities.
"NYSID's Battle Buddy Center designation is a testament to the welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment created for veterans at Dutchess Community College (DCC)," said Pamela Edington, Ed.D., DCC president. "Like the one-week technical career training program IBM held for veterans this summer on campus, it reflects the value of partnerships and continues the important work being done at DCC to serve those who have served our country."
"Access is proud to support veterans across our services and in our employment practices," said Antoinette Elizondo, Access: Supports for Living vice president of industrial services. "Our mission compels us to help people in our communities live the healthiest and fullest lives possible. Partnering with NYSID and Dutchess Community College on the Battle Buddy Center supports that mission by providing our community's veterans with a place to connect with each other and the services they need."
Dutchess Community College marks NYSID's 14th Battle Buddy Center location. Additional Battle Buddy Center locations include: SUNY Sullivan; LaGuardia Community College; John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Westchester Community College; Rockland Community College; SUNY Ulster; Columbia-Greene Community College; The College of Saint Rose; Hudson Valley Community College; SUNY Oswego; SUNY Canton; SUNY Adirondack; and Clear Path for Veterans.
NYSID's Battle Buddy Centers have collectively hosted more than 70,000 visits by veterans since September 2011. Battle Buddy Centers are made possible through grant funding from NYSID and support from NYSID member agencies.