The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is proud to announce that the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program is officially underway. Following a competitive application process and contract registration, DVS has partnered with a diverse group of community organizations to deliver peer-to-peer support programs for U.S. Military Veterans and their families.
These free programs are designed to build social connection, enhance well-being, and foster community through a range of engaging offerings, including:
We invite Veterans and their families to explore the current offerings available across New York City. Programs are offered in-person and virtually, with new activities added regularly.
Gladiators Veterans’ Nights
📅 Mondays starting July 7th
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 530 West 133rd Street, New York, NY 10027
📄 Promotional Flyer
Yoga At The Fort
📅 Wednesdays and Saturdays starting June 7th
⏰ Wed. 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM; Sat. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Fort Hamilton Gym, Basketball Court – MacArthur Rd Computer Class, Brooklyn, NY 11209
📄 Promotional Flyer
Join the Cadre Initiative
📅 Every 4th Saturday starting June 28th
⏰ 11:00 AM
📋 Apply by June 15th
📄 Promotional Flyer
Operation M.O.V.E.
📅 Every 2nd Friday starting June 13th
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Christian Parish for Spiritual Renewal – 2044 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. NY, NY 10026
📄 Promotional Flyer
Pickleball Summer League
📅 Biweekly on Fridays starting June 6th
⏰ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Wollman Rink in Central Park
📄 Link to Advanced Registration (required)
Free Photography Classes for Veterans
📅 Saturdays from September 27th to November 15th
⏰ 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 American Legions Post 398 – 248 West 132nd St. Harlem, NY 10018
📄 Promotional Flyer
Veterans Yoga Project | Chair Yoga, Breathwork & Guided Relaxation
📅 Every Wednesday
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 American Legion Gold Star Post #1365 | 17 Cannon Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314
📄 Promotional Flyer
Guardian Revival Another Summit | NYC Veterans Outdoor Cohort
📅 First Meeting: Thursday July 10, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center | 130 W Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10468
📄 Promotional Flyer
10 Arts Foundation & NYFA | Veterans Creative Arts Program
📅 Every Saturday starting July 19, 2025
📍 NYFA I New York Film Academy
📄 Promotional Flyer
The Campaign Against Hunger | The Veteran's Table Cooking Class
📅 Starts September 10, 2025
📍 Rosedale Laurent Post 483 | 240-08 135th Avenue, Rosedale, NY 11422
📄 Promotional Flyer
NYC Veterans Balance Body, Soul and Mind
📅 Starts in September | Information Session on August 14, 2025
⏰ 1:00 PM
📍 Staten Island Giving Circle | 4170 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10308
📄 Promotional Flyer
Gallop NYC | Veterans Families Program
📅 Every Friday | September 12-December 19, 2025
⏰ 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Sunrise Stables | 80-98 Linden Blvd, Howard Beach, NY 11414
📄 Promotional Flyer
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Submission
This RFP deadline has been extended and calls for Respondents to submit a response no later than December 2nd& 5:00 P.M.
PLEASE NOTE: The term of the contract(s) resulting from this RFP has been changed, and is now expected to be for a period of two (2) years, instead of the previously stated term of five (5) years.
Further, this contract will have the following renewal options: three (3) renewal options, for two (2) years each.
View the NYC Private First-Class Joseph P. Dwyer Support Fund RFP
To view/access the RFP search the following EPIN: 06325P0001 in PASSPort's Procurement Navigator.
Responding in PASSPort
Interested organizations can view the RFP and submit their proposals by logging on to the City of New York's end-to-end digital procurement platform—PASSPort. If you need assistance creating a PASSPort account, please check out the sections titled "PASSPort Login" and/or "Account Creation & Management" on the PASSPort FAQ page. Additionally, organizations seeking Dwyer funding are required to complete the Health and Human Service (HHS) Prequalification (PQL) Application to compete for HHS funding. Organizations must have an Approved HHS PQL Application to respond to human services solicitations in PASSPort.
For details on the HHS Accelerator Prequalification steps in PASSPort, please refer to User Manual: HHS Accelerator Prequalification
For guidance Requesting a Vendor PASSPort Account: Requesting a Vendor PASSPort Account
For Instructions For Repsonding to An RFx: Responding to an RFx
Alternatively, organizations can submit a ticket to the MOCS Service Desk by visiting nyc.gov/mocshelp. Once there, click the link that says "MOCS Service Desk" at the bottom of the page. Clicking "Request Assistance" on the newly opened page will open a form where you can ask for help on a specific task in PASSPort.
Another option is to register for assistance with Nelson Ortiz at the LaGuardia Community College Business Services Apex Accelerator. All services are free of charge. Please click on the separate links below for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Non-Profit PASSPort Assistance
For-Profit PASSPort Assistance
Director Nelson Ortiz can also be contacted by email at lagcc@cuny.edu or 718-757-7408.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email us at DVSDwyer@veterans.nyc.gov.
MOCS Technical Assistance Session
The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) held a special session related to PASSPort for those interested in submitting proposals. This session took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
FAQ Submitted by RFP Respondents
Background
Despite the array of programs and services available for Veterans, a 2021 community survey conducted by DVS revealed that one out of four NYC-based Active-Duty Service Members, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and Veterans say that they are lonely three or more days per week. Only one-third of lonely respondents feel as though they have someone they can approach when they are in need; having someone to approach is defined as having a person with whom one can share joys and sorrows on at least three days per week. Moreover, when asked how likely they are to seek help for emotional distress, 40% of all lonely respondents would be somewhat or very unlikely to do so.
The Private First-Class Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program was launched to combat Veteran isolation and promote emotional wellness. Since its establishment during the 2012-2013 New York State legislative session ,the program has expanded to 62 counties throughout New York State. New York localities receiving funding through the program offer a diverse range of intervention modalities aimed at empowering the Veteran community. Individual peer support is typically provided in the form of peer mentorship, and group services are offered via support group modalities or activity-based groups.
Program Qualifications
For funding consideration, the program must empower the Veteran community, be in-person, and free to Veterans, their caregivers, families, and survivors.
DVS has identified the following priority areas of focus for its support. A Respondent’s proposed services need not meet all areas listed but should align with at least one of these areas. Services should be administered in an in-person group setting rather than one-on-one.
Note: the examples given below are not all-inclusive. If your organization provides a service not listed and you believe it might be appealing to the Veteran community, we encourage you to answer the question that requests this information.
Examples of Services to be Offered to the Veteran Community:
Animal Assisted Modalities
• A visitation program in which animals accompany their owners to a facility and visit with program participants. Animals should be temperament tested, given a complete veterinary screening, and receive obedience training before beginning to work with participants. Animals for consideration include dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.
• Different types of equine-assisted therapy including therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, and equine-assisted psychotherapy. Instructors are required to hold current Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association (EAGLA) certification and operate a EAGLA model program.
Somatic Modalities
• Various body-centered therapies that uses mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that negatively affects a participant’s physical and emotional wellbeing. A few examples of these therapies include, but are not limited to: yoga, meditation, pilates, and martial arts.
Expressive Modalities
• Various uses of the creative arts as a form of therapy including: art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, writing therapy, poetry therapy, film, and psychodrama. The expressive therapies assume that people can heal through many forms of creative expression.
Educational Programs
• Build social connections and provide stimulating conversations through exposure to a host of art, culture, history, civics, science, and other learning programs that spike the interest of Veteran groups.
Culinary Arts Instruction
• Culinary arts instruction uses cooking as a means of communication and expression while learning life skills and tools. It has the benefit of reducing stress, improving time management, and increasing self-esteem.
Community Construction Programs
• Leads teams of Veteran volunteers in building, repairing and renovating community-based facilities and homes in under-resourced neighborhoods, or for under-resourced New Yorkers.