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National Veterans Resource Center Will Help Veterans And Their Families Transition To Civilian Life

John Smith
/
WAER News

The dedication of the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building happened Wednesday afternoon at Syracuse University. D’Aniello is a U.S. Navy Veteran and a life trustee of the university.

The center grew from a vision that Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie had to create the Institute for Veterans and Military Families. He said because a small minority of Americans serve and fight wars, too often they feel invisible when returning home.

“When they come home and they require some care and support, those needs are too easily dismissed as the government’s problem," Haynie said. "The National Veterans Resource Center represents both, in a symbolic way and a practical way, Syracuse University’s commitment to paying on the moral accountability that is inherent in a model of national defense where the many benefit from the sacrifice and service of the few.”

The National Veterans Resource Center and IVMF help support veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life. One of their career paths is often starting their own businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casilla Guzman, there are currently 1.76 million small businesses owned by veterans in the U.S. The SBA has awarded IVMF with a $5 million grant.

"And with this grand opening of the National Veteran Resource Center, we'll have a home in this beautiful building be able to better support veterans through IVMF and ensure that they can access capital, that they can access marketplaces, those opportunities, the revenue side of the equation, as well as networks," said Guzman.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud also remarked at the dedication of the NVRC that the university should vow to be the best university for veterans, period.