(Long Island, NY) In an effort to ensure that veterans in the community are receiving all of the benefits they are deserving of and entitled to, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory hosted a Veterans Services Seminar at Farmingdale State College on Thursday, June 23.
The seminar brought together government agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates, veterans and their families to exchange information about how to access and manage available services, benefits and assistance. Presentations addressed a broad range of topics, including housing, health, financial services, education, employment, business development, estate planning, self-help and legal services. Agencies networked and shared strategies.
Presiding Officer Gregory is joined by presenters at his Veterans Services Seminar on June 23 at Farmingdale State College. From left: Joe Ingino, Southern District Director, Vietnam Veterans of America, New York State Chapter; Ken Rosenblum, Associate Dean for Administration and Director, Veterans’ and Servicemembers’ Rights Clinic, Touro Law Center; David A. Chiaro, Veteran Business Advisor, Farmingdale College Small Business Development Center; Marcelle Leis, Program Director, Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project; Melissa R. Pandolf & Sean Lyons, Veterans Service Officers, Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency; Tom Ronayne, Director, Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency; Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.
“The importance of making sure that those who protect our country are properly taken care of when they return home cannot be overstated,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Many veterans aren’t aware of the plethora of services that are available to them. Having all of these agencies together in one room was a great opportunity for them to connect, collaborate and thoroughly explain the benefits available and ensure veterans can easily access them. I would like to thank all of the agencies that participated, and a special thanks to Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency Director Tom Ronayne for helping to coordinate this event.”
On hand were presenters from various agencies including the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, Veterans Protected, Touro Law Center, Northport VA Medical Center, Farmingdale College Small Business Development Center, Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, Long Island Cares Inc. Vets Work Project, United Veterans Beacon House, US Department of Veterans Affairs New York Regional Benefit Office, Suffolk County Community College Veterans Affairs, St. Joseph’s College Military and Veteran Services, Touro College Veteran Affairs, DeVry University Military & Veterans Affairs and the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs. Lunch was provided by the NYS Small Business Development Center.
