Helping women transition from military to civilian life is the focus of a June 7 event at Westchester Community College in Valhalla.
The scope of “Stand Up for Women Veterans of the United States Armed Forces” is as broad as the needs are diverse of the women the day is designed to serve.
With participation from some 50 local businesses and social services groups, “Stand Up” will offer veterans free employment assistance, health screenings and private counseling and legal services, complemented by spiritual wellness amenities such as spa treatments.
Identifying and helping serve the particular needs of these women as former service members, caregivers, wives and mothers is the day”™s goal, said Camille F. Murphy, the executive director of the Women”™s Research and Education Fund.
“Services aren”™t as geared toward female veterans, for the veteran services, as we would want them,” Murphy said. She said the event is aimed at reaching female veterans of all ages but especially those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It”™s a way to gather everyone for networking, lectures and workshops in one place and also spotlight what is available daily, she added.
“Everybody can use it, and really, it”™s a way we”™re showcasing the services.”
The day is being presented by L.I.V.E. (Lanza Family Investment in Veterans Empowerment), with main sponsors including Family Services of Westchester, Westchester Community College and Women”™s Research and Education Fund in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor Women”™s Bureau.
Helping women veterans find employment is at the top of the day”™s goals, said Murphy. “Jobs, jobs”¦ getting them independent. Getting them working.”
But the needs go far deeper, she added. “We felt very strongly that social services were needed.”
Sometimes, Murphy said, it”™s as basic as revamping a resume, showing a veteran how to present their military skills as something that translates to the civilian workplace ”“ and recognizing the value of their experience.
“Of all the people I”™ve talked to, they would love a veteran on staff,” Murphy said, noting the discipline required to be successful in the military.
There might be deeper issues that also need to be addressed, such as homelessness, which she said tends to be a hidden issue with women veterans.
“It is different,” Murphy said. “The men are in the streets,” while homeless women tend to hop from one friend”™s couch to another.
Hopes are high that the word will spread and women veterans from Manhattan to Albany will take advantage of this special day. “We expect to reach a couple of thousand,” Murphy said.
Those who attend are expected to benefit from veteran-to-veteran bonding. To that end, a trio of women veterans who are part of the Veterans Writing Workshop will read from their work.
David Surface, founder and instructor with the veterans group that grew out of Fordham University, said the writing often provides an outlet, a sense of camaraderie and the chance to hear and participate in constructive criticism.
“These are important skills in whatever setting,” he said.
The veterans”™ stories, he said, do not have to focus on their service.
“It”™s not therapy,” he said. “The point is to give you a place to work on your life skills.”
Surface said group members “come in with a desire to tell their stories” ”“ something that mirrors the June 7 gathering
Registration is required for the free event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Westchester Community College. Breakfast, lunch, child care and transportation will be offered.
For more details or to register, call (914) 872-5242 or email nedelhauser@fsw.org.
