VETERANS

JHP works with Veterans Centers across New York City and New York State, including Long Island, Westchester County, Broome County, and Monroe County. Veterans have been at the core of JHP Programming since 1941 and our work is often transformative. The goal is to support veterans to share their stories and help them re-connect to their communities and the world. Our work with veterans in New York City is generously supported by the New York City Council through its Veterans Community Development Initiative, administered by the Department of Youth and Community Development, and by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.

JHP programs give veterans the opportunity to come together with people who have experienced similar hardships at war and abroad, and create an environment which encourages veterans to relate to each other. Veterans in our programs experience a range of challenges, including mental health issues, physical disabilities and PTSD.

Seeing that other people are experiencing similar symptoms enforces the notion that veterans are not alone. Using photography as a way of telling their story and their vision creatively gives many of our participants a confidence in their creative abilities, a sense of purpose and a meaningful project that also decreases their sense of helplessness, stay focused on their assignments, and increases their sense of purpose back in civilian life.

Veterans have reported that participating in JHP programs have given them a renewed sense of curiosity, a passion for expressing themselves through photography, broken social isolation, and given them a new outlook on their lives, families and neighborhoods. JHP partners with the VA's Veterans Centers across NYC and New York State.

VETERAN CENTERS

The network of Veteran Centers are part of the services offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  They understand and appreciate Veterans war experiences while assisting them and their families toward a successful post war adjustment as part of civil society.