New York City PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program

The Private First Class Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program is a State programme run through the counties, and in the City through the Department of Veterans' Services. The Department chose a group of community organizations in a competitive process and funds them to run free peer programmes for veterans, their caregivers, families and survivors, in person in the City. Why. A 2021 Department survey found that one in four City veterans and service members felt lonely three or more days a week, and that 40 percent of them were unlikely to seek help for emotional distress. What is offered. Animal-assisted wellness, yoga and other movement, expressive arts, culinary instruction, educational programmes, and volunteer community building. Listings on 2026-10-02 included yoga at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, chair yoga at the American Legion Gold Star Post 1365 on Staten Island every Wednesday at noon, a violence prevention series on Saturdays, a movement programme in Harlem, and events by Black Veterans for Social Justice. Programmes change; the Department's page lists the current ones. How it is funded. Grants run from $20,000 to $50,000 per organization for a year of programming. Organizations apply through the City's PASSPort system (EPIN 06325P0001). The Administrative Code also has the Department run a peer support hotline staffed by certified veteran peer specialists (section 31-111); the Department's site did not list its number on 2026-10-02, so ask at 212-416-5250. For a crisis, dial 988 and press 1.