Our Mission
The mission of Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare and income. Listen to Suzanne and Leonard tell their stories.
legal help strengthens veterans in recovery.
Latest News and Events
News: 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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
Read MoreCVLC stands in solidarity with all who are fighting for justice for Black lives and all those working to dismantle racist systems of oppression.
Whether it is supporting World War II veterans who fought against external fascism only to return to Jim Crow or service members who received unjust administrative discharges because of racial discrimination, we cannot achieve justice for veterans without achieving racial justice. CVLC’s focus on ensuring that all veterans can access healthcare, housing, and income is inextricably linked to undoing deeply entrenched, systemic racism.
Together, we can make change. We are honored that fighting for justice is part of what we do every day and we urge you to support other local organizations dedicated to ending systemic racism like: Co-Creating Effective and Inclusive Organizations (CEIO), CT Core, Black Lives Matter New Haven and Connecticut Bail Fund.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which is dedicated to ensuring that impacted veterans, service members, their families, and their caregivers thrive long after they return home.
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For every $1 you give, CVLC returns $20 to veterans in increased income and reduced debt.