Veterans Resource Guide | JCC
SUNY Jefferson
Schedule an Admissions Appointment

Veterans Resource Guide

In recognition of the issues that face our brave men and women as they return to civilian life, Jefferson Community College, in collaboration with Catholic Charities and various community service organizations, has produced this resource guide for veterans.

The transition from active duty into the civilian community brings with it challenges that can be overwhelming. The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive listing of local resources that can provide the assistance needed.  Please share this information with your brothers and sisters in arms.

Funding in part was provided from a grant from the AMERICORPS VISTA Program administered through the New York Campus Compact.

Veterans Service Guide

The American Legion

As America’s largest veteran’s wartime service organization, the American Legion provides Veterans Administration claims assistance, financial assistance, counseling services and support to veterans and active duty personnel.

Post #1757
209 Ambrose Street
Sackets Harbor, NY 13685
(315) 646-3530

Post #583
113 East Dexter Street
Black River, NY 13612
(315) 773-5768

Post #586
10 South Main Street
Adams, NY 13605
(315) 232-2715

Post #61
138 Sterling Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-0911

Post #65
163 East Main Street
Gouverneur, NY 13642
(315) 287-4590

Post #789
415 West street
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-2787

Post #821
518 Riverside Drive
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 686-3442

Post #832
248 Broadway
Cape Vincent, NY 13618
(315) 654-2101

Post #904
9 Rock Street
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
(315) 482-3865

Disabled American Veterans

Disabled American Veterans assists families and veterans with initiating and tracking benefit claims filed with the Veterans Administration for disability compensation. Disabled American Veterans provides free transportation for veterans who need care at Veterans Administration Hospitals and provides financial assistance as available to support veterans and family needs.

Chapter #18
231 Bellew Avenue
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-4854

Veterans of Foreign Wars

This unique organization of wartime veterans provides claims assistance to veterans and families for compensation from the Veterans Administration. The VFW also provides support to veterans and active duty personnel in obtaining assistance in financial and counseling needs.

Post #1400
231 Bellew Avenue
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-2945

Post #5218
113 East Dexter Street
Black River, NY 13612
(315) 773-5768

Post #5344
10 South Main Street
Adams, NY 13605
(315) 232-2214

Post #7227
415 West Street
Carthage, NY 13619
(315) 493-0530

Army Career and Alumni Program

ACAP provides transition services and employment assistance for active duty personnel returning to the civilian community.

Building P
10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd.
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-5534

Army Community Services

ACS, a resource haven for active military soldiers and families, provides programs designed to enhance quality of life.

Building P-4330
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-6799

Fort Drum Behavioral Health

Works with active duty personnel to develop evaluations and treatment plans for individuals in need.

Building P-36
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-2778

Fort Drum Social Work Services

Works with active military and family members to develop strategies for assisting in quality of health issues, as well as financial crisis intervention.

Building P-36
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-3623

Family, Morale, Welfare & Recreation

FMWR provides active and veteran personnel with recreational support including equipment rental, reduced ticket sales and assistance with travel planning.

Building P
10720 Mt. Belvedere Blvd.
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-6894

Veteran Services

Provides students with testing, evaluation and assistance with issues that create a difficult learning environment.

Jefferson Community College
Deans Collaborative Learning Center
Building 15, first floor
(315) 786-2288

Military Programs

Provides educational counseling and support to active duty, veterans and families within Jefferson Community College (JCC) and affiliates.

Betsi Bentz
Jefferson Community College
(315) 786-6566
bbentz@sunyjefferson.edu 

Jefferson Health & Wellness Center
Provides individualized assistance to students, both veterans and non-veterans, needing medical and/or psychological care.

Jefferson Community College
Health & Wellness Center
Building 17
(315) 786-2376

Financial Certification / Services

Reviews individual’s qualification for veteran’s educational benefits and then certifies to the Office of Veterans Affairs enrollment, which allow students to receive funding for classes and living expenses.

Jefferson Community College
Enrollment Services
Jules Center, Room 6-010
(315) 786-2283
mclemons@sunyjefferson.edu

Coordinator of Veterans Affairs - SUNY Canton/SUNY Potsdam

Provides veteran financial certification for college attendance and resource assistance for veteran students.

Veterans Affairs
Cook Hall, SUNY Canton
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 386-7037
massorop@canton.edu 

The Veterans Administration provides resources for veterans to cover educational, health and compensation determination.

Veterans Administration, Fort Drum

Assists veterans and family members with application processes required to apply for disability compensation through the Veterans Administration. Provides follow-up on status inquiries made by veterans or family members.

Building P-36
Fort Drum, NY 13602
(315) 772-5768

Veterans Homeless Prevention

Works with veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, to assist them in obtaining emergency and long term housing.

CANI Building
19472 Rte. 11
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 350-1412
Debra.baxter2@va.gov 


Vet Center

Provides continued quality care for combat veterans and their families, including professional readjustment counseling, community education and outreach to special populations.

1511 Washington St Suite A
Watertown, NY 13601

(315) 782-5479

Jefferson County American Red Cross

Provides assistance to military members, veterans and their families to prepare for cope, and respond to challenges of military and post military service. The Red Cross provides emergency communications, training, support and assistance to wounded warriors and veterans.

Red Cross Watertown Chapter
203 North Hamilton Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-4410
www.redcross.org 

Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Provides employment opportunities and services for all individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

131 Washington St
Suite 300
Watertown, NY 13601
www.abvinny.org
(315) 782-2451 phone
(315) 782-6890 fax 

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities assists with economic stability and counseling services for families and individuals in crisis. Support may include counseling and financial aid, community education, information, and referral, and casework services as needed. Assistance is non-religion based.

Director, Catholic Charities
Diocese of Ogdensburg
Wadhams Hall
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
(315) 393-2255
www.catholiccharities.org 

Catholic Charities Watertown
145 Clinton Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 788-4330 

Consumer Credit Counseling

Provides clients with budget assistance and resources for handling housing delinquencies as well as financial planning.

215 Washington Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-2277
www.cccscny.org 

 

Disabled Persons Action Organization

DPAO provides quality and effective individualized services to developmentally challenged children and adults.

617 Davidson St.
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-3577
www.dpao.org 

 

Jefferson County Veterans Services Officer

Provides individualized assistance in filing claims for compensation with the Veterans Administration as well as status inquiries from veterans and their families.

175 Arsenal Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-3086
peterf@co.jefferson.ny.us

 

Jefferson County Department of Social Services (DSS)

Works with families and individuals to determine qualification for assistance with quality of life, including housing, food and utilities.

250 Arsenal Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-9030

 

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

Supervises programs that provide assistance and support to eligible families and individuals. Includes temporary cash assistance, assistance paying for food and heating, overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program, determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits, supervising homeless housing and services programs, and assisting certain immigrant populations.

40 North Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12207
518-473-1090
nyspio@otda.ny.gov

 

St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House

Responds immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County, empowering victims and increasing community awareness.

3 Chapel Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 379-9845
renewalhouse@verizon.net

 

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Provides counseling and tutoring to individuals interested in starting their own business. Individuals are provided with tools to develop individual business plans and information required to determine the feasibility of their ideas.

SBDC
Jefferson Community College
1220 Coffeen Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-9262
sbdc@sunyjefferson.edu

 

Social Security Administration

Oversees eligibility requirements and the application process for receiving Social Security Benefit payments including disability claims.

156 Bellew Avenue
Watertown, NY 13601
866-627-6996
www.ssa.gov 

 

Transitional Living Services of Northern New York

Provides assistance to persons with mental illnesses who require counseling and rehabilitative services. Also assist people with homelessness and poverty, including veterans.

482 Black River Parkway
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-1777
www.tlsnny.com 

 

Veterans Peer to Peer Outreach Center

Provides a safe haven for veterans to discuss all issues relating to their military service. Individuals are encouraged to share with each other and trained counselors are available to assist as needed.

247 State Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 681-6772
www.jeffcooutreachcenter.org 

 

Watertown Urban Mission

Provides resources for individuals and families in crisis to obtain services, food, household goods and counseling.

247 Factory Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-8440
watertownurbanmission@yahoo.com

Below is a local map of community-based food pantries around the area. You may zoom in/out to localize your search to a specific area. If you have questions, please contact: 

Health and Wellness Center
McVean Student Center, Room 4-104
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Phone: (315) 786-2376

 

Veteran Services & Military Affiliated Assistance

Scott Schulz

Certifying Official
sschulz@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2449

John W. Deans Collaborative Learning Center
Building 15, first floor
(315) 786-2288
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m; Summer 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.