One year ago one of our Veteran Transition Managers relocated to Buffalo, and since then she has been on the ground increasing the presence of the Rapid Response Referral Program and IAVA in the region by forging invaluable relationships with local VAs, Vet Centers, veteran service organizations, treatment courts, county veteran service offices, non-profit organizations, colleges and congressional offices within the local veterans community. Since RRRP’s expansion into this area last year, the program more than doubled the amount of WNY veterans and family members served, with an increase of 129% from the previous year!  We look forward to continued growth, expansion and collaboration within the amazing veteran community that is Western New York.

RRRP’s integration into Western New York’s tightly-knit and collaborative veteran community has been an exciting accomplishment and has allowed the program to increase its presence in the region, reach more veterans and family members, and create, build and enhance strong working relationships within the community.

Some of our most trusted partners are the Buffalo Vet Center, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Dog Tags Niagara and Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court.  We’ve also been able to build strong working relationships with Warrior Salute and Freedom Village, which are both residential treatment facilities providing specialized care for veterans.  Through partnerships like these, RRRP has been able to connect veterans to immediate and exceptional care.  These strong relationships have also allowed us to assist our partners by linking their veteran clients to other outside organizations to collaboratively enhance the quality of care in the region for both our clients and our partners.  Some examples include linking a veteran with an other than honorable discharge to legal assistance for an upgrade; preventing a veteran and his family from homelessness by linking them with financial assistance to prevent foreclosure; linking numerous veterans to mental health support, veteran service officers and employment and education support.

“I finally feel like my life is getting back on track.  Thank you for everything you and your organization does for us veterans!”. – New York State RRRP client