Opening the Captain Matthew E. Auger USNR Office
Bree Dolce (right), daughter of Capt. Matthew E. Auger, speaks Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, during the grand opening of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center new Captain Matthew E. Auger USNR Office with Alison Weir, Executive Director, and Kevin Lenehan, Board Chair. Photo by Dana Jensen/The Day. On February 2, we welcomed an incredible group of… Continue Reading Opening the Captain Matthew E. Auger USNR Office
Read MoreEmpowering Veterans: Our Renewed Mission & Vision
From the Desk of Alison Weir, Executive Director Dear CVLC Supporter, Connecticut Veterans Legal Center has come a long way over the years. Fifteen years ago, a volunteer–Howard Udell–was helping out at the then-fledgling Errera Center at the West Haven VA. When Veterans found out this nice older man was a lawyer, he became inundated… Continue Reading Empowering Veterans: Our Renewed Mission & Vision
Read MoreMeet WWII Veteran Stew Lahey
“First of all, I’m not a hero. The heroes are the ones who didn’t come back.” This is how Stew Lahey introduces himself. But as an enlisted Marine in World War II, he saw and experienced the many effects of war. After serving our country honorably, he now lives in Bridgeport, CT as a loving… Continue Reading Meet WWII Veteran Stew Lahey
Read MoreNews: VSOs File Lawsuit to Compel VA to Amend Character of Discharge Regulations
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center applauds National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) and Swords to Plowshares for suing VA to correct its antiquated and harmful rules that bar veterans with mental illness and who face discrimination from service from VA benefits. As an organization, and alongside our partners the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress, we… Continue Reading News: VSOs File Lawsuit to Compel VA to Amend Character of Discharge Regulations
Read MoreThe 12th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Earlier this week the Department of Defense marked the 12th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) with a promising announcement: acknowledging the on-going harms of this policy, the Department of Defense will begin to proactively review the discharge status of the 2,000+ veterans impacted and launch an outreach campaign for self-help.… Continue Reading The 12th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Read MoreBlack Veterans Research Roundtable
On July 27th, Staff Attorney and Policy Analyst Alden Pinkham participated in the Black Veterans Research Roundtable hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor. The video recording of her joint-presentation with Dr. Meredith Kleykamp of RAND Corporation and the University of Maryland, Dr. Rosemarie O’Connor of ICF International, and Wendy McClinton of Black Veterans for… Continue Reading Black Veterans Research Roundtable
Read MoreReport Back from the DAV Convention
by Juliet Taylor with Patrick J Dunn Earlier this month Juliet Taylor and Brianna Jarvis from CVLC’s intake team attended the DAV & DAV Auxiliary National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. DAV and DAV Auxiliary members nationwide gathered at the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City to brainstorm and share ideas for a single purpose: how… Continue Reading Report Back from the DAV Convention
Read MoreCT Mirror: For many CT veterans, PACT Act offers expanded benefits
“Advocates like [Amy] Antioho and groups in Connecticut are encouraging veterans to sign up for benefits, especially before the Aug. 9 deadline. Alison Weir, executive director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, is also urging veterans whose claims have previously been denied or those who have experienced issues with the VA to still sign up… Continue Reading CT Mirror: For many CT veterans, PACT Act offers expanded benefits
Read MoreOperation Fouled Anchor and the Continued Fight for Justice for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
by Chelsea Donaldson, Supervising Attorney, VA Benefits Recently, the United States Coast Guard revealed that dozens of incidents of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment took place at its service academy in New London, Connecticut–and all were unreported or ignored. The problem was so rampant that the Coast Guard implemented an internal investigation which was… Continue Reading Operation Fouled Anchor and the Continued Fight for Justice for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
Read MoreCelebrating Nikki Kelsey
Reflections from Nikki’s colleagues at Connecticut Veterans Legal Center After almost a decade of service to veterans as a paralegal for Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Nikki Kelsey is leaving to join the team at the VA. We are beyond grateful for Nikki’s contributions, and we are proud to continue to call her a friend. As… Continue Reading Celebrating Nikki Kelsey
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