PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Deirdre Rice-Reese, Assistant Vice President of Residential Treatment at Samaritan Daytop Village
2:17:23
ยท
3 min
Deirdre Rice-Reese, representing Samaritan Daytop Village, provided testimony on the organization's efforts to address veteran homelessness in New York City. She highlighted their comprehensive approach to tackling the root causes of instability among veterans, including mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and economic hardship.
- Samaritan Daytop Village offers veteran-specific programs, including residential treatment for PTSD and addiction, job training, and the first exclusively female veteran program.
- The organization advocates for discharge upgrades to help veterans with less than honorable discharges access VA benefits.
- Rice-Reese emphasized the need for sustained investment in veteran-specific services and a culture of recovery to continue transforming lives.
Deirdre Rice-Reese
2:17:23
Okay.
2:17:24
Good afternoon, shareholder and esteemed members of the veterans committee.
2:17:28
My name is Deirdre Rice Reese.
2:17:29
Nice to be here again.
2:17:31
I'm honored to speak on behalf of Samaritan Day Top Village.
2:17:34
Many of you know what Samaritan does, but I'll speak briefly about it.
2:17:37
And as it relates to homelessness, I wanna commend the committee for its commitment to addressing the full range of challenges faced by homeless veterans.
2:17:48
Your focus on housing, wraparound supports, mental health resources is essential.
2:17:52
We want despite the tremendous progress in reducing veteran homelessness over the past decade, New York City saw one of the highest single year increases in veteran homelessness in twenty twenty four, signals an urgent need to address not just housing, but also root causes of instability, including mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and economic hardship.
2:18:17
Unlike many organizations, we would manage clients that had other than honorable discharges and not for anything other than the fact that they need the help and they did serve regardless of their character at discharge.
2:18:34
So, Marathon, we see firsthand the barriers of of, veterans every day.
2:18:38
Veteran specific programs provide residential treatment for veterans struggling with PTSD, addiction, trauma.
2:18:44
We work with NYU lingo.
2:18:46
We work with DBS.
2:18:47
We work with other community partners to make sure that we reach them.
2:18:51
We also had the first ever exclusively, female veteran program.
2:18:56
We do job training and employment readiness, including resume writing and interview techniques and internships, basic needs assistance, clothes, shoes, digital access to ensure that our veterans successfully engage in job searches and remote services.
2:19:11
We advocate for discharge upgrades.
2:19:13
That's a that's a big one.
2:19:15
Many veterans with less than honorable discharge are locked out of the VA benefits, and they might have been discharged because of their mental health or substance use issue.
2:19:24
Despite having any service related injury or mental health condition, they locked out of the VA.
2:19:29
We still have to to address their needs.
2:19:32
Opening this channel changes lives.
2:19:35
Hearing the squares conversation from the commissioner from DBS, how you commissioner Anderson, it it it really enlightened me around who how we can reach out to other veterans.
2:19:48
As an air force veteran and someone in long term recovery for more than thirty years, I can personally attest to life changing impact of veteran specific services.
2:19:57
We definitely need them.
2:19:58
We always need support in continuing our efforts using an approach that is distinct to, veterans that is different from what is civilian supports.
2:20:13
It makes a it makes a big difference.
2:20:14
While serving as a privilege is also a sacrifice that deserves recognition and not just in words.
2:20:20
And Thank you.
2:20:21
I appreciate it.
2:20:21
People say thank you for the words, but a sustained investment by building a culture of recovery, supporting veterans, pride and service, expanding resources, we can continue to transform lives.
2:20:32
Thank you for your time, your leadership, your commitment to New York veterans.
2:20:36
Samaritan stands as ready to partner with you.
2:20:39
Continue our partnership in this mission.
Robert F. Holden
2:20:42
Thank you, Deidra.