Mission
Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc. (BVSJ) founders believe that despite the injustices suffered by individuals at the hands of the military and society at large, most people, particularly veterans, want to do the right thing and will respond positively and productively, if given a helping hand. BVSJ is committed to assisting military personnel in making a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life.
Purpose
- To provide veterans with information to help alleviate some of their problems
- Advocate to federal, state, and city agencies the immediate needs of veterans and to develop long range solution
- Assist with upgrading discharges, obtaining employment, housing, physical and mental stability and educational development
- Establish a hotline and center where veterans who have been mistreated or have problems can receive redress or care
Goals
- To obtain land in the mountains for therapeutic purpose
- To operate a community-based therapeutic center for veterans released from prison, drug and alcohol abusers and homeless persons
- To provide official veterans benefits services on a local community level
- To develop a black veterans library and museum to record and preserve our heroic military history
- To create a national black veterans organization which will serve the interest of black soldiers and veterans nationwide
Scope
We are dedicated to servicing military personnel, veterans and their families in the areas of:
- Social Readjustment
- Housing
- Employment
- Compensation benefits
- Disability benefits
- Substance Abuse
- Medical treatment
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- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Family Intervention
- Prison Counseling
- Relocation into the Community
- Legal advocacy
- HIV/AIDS
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We provide tender loving care and an interested ear.
Philosophy
The founders reject the seemingly social notion of "human cast asides" or "non-contributors". We know that our population was well disciplined, well trained with versatile skills, sensitive to the essence of life and death, and were professionally trained in top quality performance. We understood racism and the rigorous demands the military heaps on individuals, the shortcomings of the military and the injustices that exist in and out of the Armed Forces.
Therefore, we believe that all persons could be productive, positive contributors to society, no matter what sex, race, social class, military labels or problems that may beset us. We believe that all humans wish to do the right thing, but do not often get the opportunity. The founders also believed that their clients, like others, possess within them a divine force, a spirit, a motivator, and a redeemer. This force, no matter how traumatic the problems, would eventually elevate a person to be an achiever, a builder, and a contributor to society. Our belief is that given a boost, a helping hand, all people, particularly veterans would respond positively and productively.
Vision
Over the years, we have serviced thousands of veterans and non-veterans with some outstanding and astonishing experiences of injustices, ill faith and heroism. Although, we have the knowledge, experience, sensitivity, commitment and desire to service our veterans, often we do not have the resources.
Had we the proper backing, we would operate a center for veterans' services, which would encompass a holistic support apparatus. Similarly, a ONE STOP SHOP for veterans and their families, we envision this center operating with a public consciousness and understanding of what we term "the social sequence of war and military action". There are several additional goals we wish to achieve, however, the end result of our vision is that all veterans will be able to solve their problems and have the opportunity to be contributing members to their families, community and society.
History
On April 18, 1979, a group of veterans from all branches of the military and various wars, WWI to Vietnam, came together to provide assistance to fellow veterans with problems. Some immediate problems were racism and racist policies, poor or no medical services, unemployment, no re-entry into society preparation, poor or no rehabilitative services, no knowledge of rights and/or agencies to provide services, hostile social attitudes, and high percentages suffering from exposure to the lethal toxin "Agent Orange" and continued readjustment obstacles.
Uniqueness
Although our credo is "Service to all Veterans", we know that historically, black veterans have never received their just share of benefits and respect from society for defending this country in the past and present, which includes the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. Black veterans and their families have not had a sensitive and progressive agency, controlled and operated by their fellow black veterans, interested in their grievances and problems until the founding of Black Veterans for Social Justice.
Not-For-Profit
501(c) 3
The most desirable nonprofit status granted by the IRS. It permits donors to exempt the value of their gifts from federal income tax.
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