Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

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Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

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We are a resource for individuals and organizations interested in veterans long term well-being. Our mission is to ensure both values are made possible.

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live. We also believe that every organization can effectively integrate veterans and their families into their existing programs. Dixon Center is a resource for individuals, organizations, and communities interested in the long-term wellbeing of our veterans and their families. We use ideas, influence, and actions to assist direct service providers transform the lives of service members, veterans, and their families, ensuring they reach their full potential. We work at local and national levels and focus across three pillars:

- Work with Purpose— Creating pathways to careers where veteransearn a family wage, have affordable healthcare, and benefits. Careers that allow veterans to set and meet their future goals.

- Heal with Honor— Developing holistic solutions that focus on theeight dimensions of wellness: mental, physical, social, environmental, occupational, spiritual, intellectual, and financial; ensuring that veterans and their families, not only survive, but thrive.

- Live with Hope—Accessing affordable housing—living in a safe,secure, and comfortable environment in harmony with a local community where a veteran can function independently and contribute to society as a private citizen. We don’t ask organizations to create new programs. We invite them to include veterans—and their families—in what they already do. Because America’s veterans deserve America’s very best. By engaging with more communities, leveraging legislation, and helping local organizations build and expand their capacity, we create truly transformative change. Broadly speaking, we are moving from a model of crisis intervention to one of crisis prevention. Because it is easier—and far more cost-effective—to stop trouble before it starts. Dixon Center is uniquely positioned to be a proactive player in all this. We are experts in creating a national network with proven results—massing resources to meet critical needs. As a member of The Fedcap Group, a global network of top-tier nonprofit agencies, we are shining a national spotlight on the issues facing veterans and their families – mobilizing resources and expertise to modernize solutions. This approach works. Since 2012, our collaboration and capacity building has impacted nearly 2.1 million individuals and organizations.

11/11/2026

Happy Veterans Day from Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services! Read our Veterans Day message here: https://dixoncenter.org/vetsday2026/

11/10/2026

Right Team, Right Time, Right Place

The team of world-class experts at Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) shares a straightforward, unwavering commitment to making the lives of Veterans and their families better.

Dr. Latrese Dixon, a Blue Star mother and Gold Star wife, represents these designations as part of the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. Latrese provides inspiration and guidance and helps us remain grounded in our mission.

Under the steadfast leadership of CMVS President, retired Marine Colonel Duncan S. Milne, the Center operates as a hub – bringing together and building the capacity of individuals and organizations dedicated to integrating, empowering, and improving the lives of those who served.

Duncan’s mission-driven approach inspires the collective effort that continues to expand our impact, while retired Army Colonel Sam Whitehurst, who spearheads programs and projects across our three pillars (Work with Purpose, Heal with Honor, and Live with Hope), keeps the Center focused on partnerships, resources, and services that enhance services and support systems nationwide.

Guided by the visionary direction of Duncan and Sam, Wendy Lang and Anthony Paolino provide strategic expertise, thoughtful guidance, and clear direction. True champions of our mission, Wendy and Anthony help CMVS identify new opportunities to broaden our reach and deepen our impact in education, workforce development, and beyond.

Eileen Greenlay and Tatum Causey are the driving force behind CMVS development operations. Working diligently to find new avenues of access to resources that fuel our mission and impact, the dynamic duo contributed to a 15% increase in revenue and a 26% increase in donors.

Having been with the Center since 2013, Sara Heidenheimer is the glue that holds CMVS together. Her compassion, deep-rooted understanding of the organization, and willingness to step in wherever she is needed helps ensure our daily operations run effectively. As the wife of a Navy Veteran, Sara brings a deeply personal connection to our work and helps the CMVS team remain focused on what matters most: making the lives of Veterans and their families better.

Last but certainly not least is Kristen Thomaselli. KT ensures our mission, impact, and organizational priorities shape our communications strategy. Aligning messaging across programs, fundraising, and partnerships, KT amplifies our voice, expands our reach, and ensures our communications resonate with target audiences.

And then there’s YOU.

Partner engagement and donor support are essential to the work we do. Together, we can strengthen local support for Veterans’ employment, well-being, and basic needs; your donation helps our team as we are:

Serving Those Who Support and Serve Veterans. The Center strengthens organizations that serve veterans by delivering ideas, influence, and actionable strategies from proven grassroots programs. Organizations can put these strategies to work in their support systems to expand impact and increase effectiveness.

Engaging with the Nation’s veteran community by serving as a vocal advocate and spokesperson for veterans and their families. As a recognized and visible voice for Military and Veterans Services, we influence and create movements - driven by collective action and change - resulting in opportunities on behalf of veterans and their family.

Advocating for those touched by military service by building, strengthening, and expanding community-based connections. We equip organizations with strategies and tools that help veterans and military families navigate, contribute to, and thrive in their communities.

And we do much more.

Partner with us. Turn shared commitment into action. Please consider donating today.

Thank you for your gift to help create a future where Veterans and their families thrive where they live.

11/06/2026

For military learners, earning a degree or credential is an important milestone. But it is far from the end of the journey. Read more in today's blog: https://bit.ly/48HQXMM

11/03/2026

CMVS 2026 Update: Stronger Partnerships, Broader Reach, Greater Impact

On 29 October, we briefed our all-volunteer Command Council on Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) 2026 results and the collaborations advancing our mission.

Through ongoing assistance and capacity building, we equip partners to integrate Veterans and their families into existing programs and services.

We reported 32 operations and 88 projects, advanced 20 policy proposals or ideas (+33%), participated in 35 conferences, workshops, and public events (+25%), registered 55 media mentions and event appearances, and shared $90,000 in resources.

We engaged 80 partners (+33%) and increased estimated lives impacted through influenced organizations and individuals by 20%. Our combined website visitors, social media engagement, and follower counts reached 28,991.

We increased revenue 15% and grew our donor base 26%, supporting our annual 12% resource-growth objective.

We thank our volunteers for helping us advance our purpose as we strengthen partners and expand opportunities for Veterans and military families nationwide.

10/27/2026

Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services Attends National Veterans Housing Summit

On October 22, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) proudly joined The National Housing Conference and The Home Depot Foundation for a vital gathering uniting leaders from across sectors to address the pressing issue of Veteran housing stability.

Showcasing the nation’s progress in reducing Veteran homelessness while underscoring ongoing challenges, the summit, From Insight to Impact: Advancing Solutions in Veterans Housing, took place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Sessions paired data-driven solutions with Veterans’ voices, providing firsthand perspectives on the impact of housing instability. Breakout discussions examined key topics, such as innovative funding strategies, aging Veterans’ housing needs, and scalable best practices from high-performing regions.

For CMVS, this event proved crucial as we serve, engage, and advocate in the role of capacity-builder on behalf of organizations and communities that want to connect Veterans and their families with meaningful services and resources - an approach that aligns perfectly with the summit’s focus on actionable, sustainable solutions.

Here are just a few examples of the day’s opportunities:

Serving Those Who Support and Serve Veterans. By drawing on successful housing models, collaborative funding approaches, and proven grassroots programs, CMVS will equip organizations to better serve Veterans facing complex, long-term housing challenges. These practical strategies can strengthen support systems, broaden impact, and improve effectiveness.

Engaging with the nation’s Veteran community as a vocal advocate and spokesperson for Veterans and their families. As a recognized and visible voice for Military and Veterans Services, CMVS engaged directly with policymakers, housing experts, and Veteran advocates, strengthened partnerships, and gathered insights to enhance our programs.

Advocating for those touched by military service by strengthening and expanding community connections. Attendees ended the day by establishing shared priorities to advance Veteran housing stability.

And we will continue to do more.

CMVS left the event with renewed commitment, drawing inspiration from the collaboration and innovation on display. By applying these lessons to our work, we continue to honor our mission: ensuring every Veteran has a safe, stable place to call home.

10/23/2026

TODAY, our partners at Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families (DCMVF) launched the inaugural Tour de Valor: One Million Voices.

The mission of the ride – a 22-hour journey starting in Albany and continuing through Long Island – is straightforward:

To connect communities across New York and raise awareness about peer support, connection, holistic wellness, and hope for Veterans, service members, military families, and caregivers.

Here’s what CMVS VP Sam Whitehurst had to say about the statewide awareness initiative:

“To efficiently identify and meet the needs of Veterans and their families, it's critical to think
local — it's all about community," said Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Programs and Services, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS). "The work we do, the impact we have, so much of that relies on local community organizations and providers on the ground. Partnering with organizations like Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families to make the lives of Veterans and their families better, CMVS knows an event like Tour de Valor is more than a simple bicycle ride; it's a meaningful journey rooted in collaboration, connection, and community. That's how we make the lives of Veterans and their families better.”

Please join CMVS, DCMVF, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, and others in supporting Tour de Valor: https://www.josephpdwyerpeerproject.org/2026-tour-de-valor

Follow this link for live Garmin tracking: https://live.garmin.com/TourdeValor

10/20/2026

Burn Pits 360 Advocate of the Year Award at the Gala of Valor 2026

We are proud to share that our Chair and Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) received the Burn Pits 360 Advocate of the Year Award at the Gala of Valor 2026.

Anthony Paolino accepted the award on behalf of CMVS at the celebration, held on Saturday, October 17, at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. The honor recognizes decade-long service on the Burn Pits 360 Advisory Board, advocacy for Veterans exposed to toxic substances, and a commitment to ensuring Veterans and their families are not left behind. It also reflects CMVS’s broader mission to build community-based support that helps Veterans thrive where they live.

When asked about advocacy our Chair said, “Our best advocates are not distant observers. They are the people who have served, stood beside those who served, carried the challenges associated with deployment, and refused to let sacrifice be forgotten. Their collective voices have brought visibility to experiences that too often went unheard. They have transformed pain into purpose and concern into action.”

Thank you to Burn Pits 360’s leadership, Rosie & Le Roy Torres and the entire team at Burn Pits 360, for this recognition. Your commitment to the well-being of those suffering from the effects of military toxic exposure reflects the very best of military service: a willingness to stand with others, to speak when speaking is difficult, and to pursue accountability and care for those who have given so much. Your advocacy reminds us that leadership continues beyond the uniform through service to people and communities in need.

10/15/2026

200+ miles

22 hours

11 counties

As our partners at Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans and Families (DCMVF) prepare to launch the inaugural Tour de Valor: One Million Voices, CMVS is excited to share with our followers more about this important bicycle ride.

A journey from Albany County to Suffolk County, Tour de Valor is a statewide awareness initiative connecting communities across New York and raising awareness about peer support, connection, holistic wellness, and hope for veterans, service members, military families, and caregivers.

Please join CMVS, DCMVF, the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, and others in supporting Tour de Valor and amplifying the ride’s core messages:

· Caring for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is essential.

· Asking for and accepting support is a sign of strength.

· No one should have to navigate life’s challenges alone.

Follow this link to learn more: https://www.josephpdwyerpeerproject.org/2026-tour-de-valor

10/13/2026

Connecting Education, Purpose, and Opportunity for Veterans

Last week, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services (CMVS) participated in the 18th Annual Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Symposium in Frisco, Texas. Leaders from higher education, workforce development, and the veteran community gathered to exchange ideas and explore solutions to improve educational and career outcomes for military-affiliated learners. As a recognized partner with Texas A&M, CMVS shared best practices, practical insights, and emerging findings from our work with organizations across the country.

We presented findings from our programs and projects that highlight how military learners navigate higher education, pursue emerging career opportunities, and confront financial pressures that can interrupt their progress toward earning a degree or credential. Through our Work with Purpose pillar, we highlighted how helping veterans identify their individual talents, values, and purpose can strengthen military transition and lead to rewarding, sustainable careers.

Collaborating with partners like Texas A&M University System is an example of how we use our influence, ideas, and actions to strengthen individuals, organizations, and communities serving the military and veteran community.

About Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services:

Across the nation, we partner with every sector of society, deliver technical assistance and training, share resources, and provide strong leadership to those who serve and support veterans and their families. With our ongoing support, partners empower, integrate, and assist veterans and their families as they pursue their goals.

Key Tasks Include:

Serving Those Who Support and Serve Veterans. The Center strengthens organizations that serve veterans by delivering ideas, influence, and actionable strategies from proven grassroots programs. Organizations can put these strategies to work in their support systems to expand impact and increase effectiveness.

Engaging with the Nation’s veteran community by serving as a vocal advocate and spokesperson for veterans and their families. As a recognized and visible voice for Military and Veterans Services, we influence and create movements – driven by collective action and change – resulting in opportunities on behalf of veterans and their family.

Advocating for those touched by military service by building, strengthening, and expanding community-based connections. We equip organizations with strategies and tools that help veterans and military families navigate, contribute to, and thrive in their communities.

And we do much more.

10/09/2026

CMVS recently connected with our partners at Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans and Families (DCMVF), and we’re excited to share with our followers that DCMVF is just weeks away from launching the inaugural Tour de Valor: One Million Voices. 🚲

A very special 200+ mile journey from Albany County to the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial in Rocky Point, Tour de Valor is about erasing the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging individuals to reach out when they need support.

A veteran, DCMVF Executive Director Gavin T Walters Sr. is a man with a lot of heart; he shared with CMVS that this 22-hour bicycle ride symbolizes the hope and strength that can be found through , , and .

Follow this link to view the official route and estimated times of stops: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/2026-tour-de-valor-f1a41da?u=i&sh=h1wpti

Address

633 Third Avenue 6th Floor
New York, NY
10017

Website

http://www.dixoncenter.org/

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