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Discussion on funding for veteran mentorship programs

1:29:17

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124 sec

Council Member Holden and Commissioner Hendon discuss the importance of funded mentorship programs for veterans, particularly in relation to veteran treatment courts. They explore the potential of expanding such programs in New York City.

Holden emphasizes the importance of paid mentors, especially for veteran treatment courts
The discussion touches on the United Veteran Mentors group, which DVS has funded
Holden expresses interest in potentially modeling and expanding a program similar to LA County's in NYC
The conversation highlights the value of peer-to-peer support in veteran communities

Robert F. Holden

1:29:17

Yeah.

1:29:18

They

Ellen Greeley

1:29:18

can work up they can work up to 25 hours a week.

Robert F. Holden

1:29:21

See, this is what I I think we should have in New York City.

1:29:26

Certainly, with the the veteran treatment courts, there's a mentoring program.

1:29:31

It's a tier basis, and I think we do have a handful of and we had a hearing on this, and the the mentors said, well, I gotta pay for even my car fair.

1:29:40

I could you know, I don't get a stipend even.

1:29:43

And mentoring is so important.

1:29:45

I mean, I could see that for vets.

1:29:47

I could see somebody that served having an impact on that individual because they served too, and they could speak to the problems that they're having.

James Hendon

1:29:56

Mister Shai, I wanna say this is something for that that group, United Veteran mentors, that's Herb Sweats Group.

1:30:00

That is something that we have funded.

1:30:01

That's wanna put that out there too as far as something that we very much see the the value in that, and that's something we have at at, you know Yeah.

Robert F. Holden

1:30:08

But but the veteran treatment course, there's there's are we paying those mentors?

James Hendon

1:30:13

Not the for us, it's it's a nonprofit that provides mentorship too.

1:30:17

So it's it's a place where

Robert F. Holden

1:30:18

Right.

James Hendon

1:30:18

They're working with mentors.

1:30:20

For this very triaging is very points.

1:30:22

That's something that we have support as an agent.

Robert F. Holden

1:30:23

But I I like the model, the LA County model because it sounds like They're going out into the communities.

1:30:29

They're going into at the in civic meetings.

1:30:31

They're going to community boards.

1:30:33

Let's say they're I think this this should if we can do a, you know, see that program, talk a a bit more about it, we could model it here on a on a larger basis maybe and and actually fund that.

1:30:47

But that seemed like a that's why I said the peer to peer is is probably the best program, and especially in the veteran treatment courts because you know, they need help.

1:30:58

Obviously, people, veterans that have been arrested, and they need to know that there's somebody there for them, and and and and and helping straighten out their lives.

1:31:07

So that's why I was so big on supporting with funding VSOs because that's where the mentoring can happen, and that's where the contacts can happen, even on family issues.

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NYC's Vet to Vet program inspired by LA County's model

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Commissioner Hendon highlights DVS funding opportunities for veteran organizations