John Barros Releases Plan to Support and Empower Boston’s Veterans

John Barros Releases Plan to Support and Empower Boston’s Veterans

BOSTON - John Barros, candidate for Mayor of Boston, today announced his comprehensive plan to protect and support Boston's veterans and military families, as well as to empower veterans by creating opportunities in our workforce, economy, and civic leadership. As Mayor, John will ensure Boston’s veteran community has access to all the resources and benefits owed to them in order to build a stable financial foundation and grow their families and businesses in Boston for years to come. The Barros administration will prioritize fully implementing and adopting the BRAVE Act, which provides enhanced employment benefits, tax relief, and survivor benefits to veterans, members of the military reserves and National Guard, and military families. Using his experience as the City’s Chief of Economic Development, John will increase the number of city contracts with veteran-owned small businesses, hire as many veterans as possible to city jobs, and work with partners like InnoVets to connect veteran entrepreneurs with industry experts, mentors, and capital to start up their own businesses. “Bostonians have so many great opportunities because of the contributions of our military service members and the sacrifices made by our Gold Star families, and we must support them in whatever ways we can,” said Barros. “It’s critical that we honor our veterans, expand support programs, and advocate for resources on their behalf. We must also empower our veteran community to fully participate in our workforce and economy, and provide opportunities for them to put their specialized skills into practice as civic and business leaders.” As part of his plan to give Boston’s veterans a greater voice in civic leadership, as Mayor, John will elevate the Commissioner of the Office of Veteran Services to the Mayor’s Cabinet and fund a fellowship position within the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics specifically for a Veteran. John also appreciates that the life experience veterans possess is an asset to their communities, and he will create a Veteran mentorship program in partnership with Boston Public Schools, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and My Brother’s Keeper. “Boston’s next Mayor must have a commitment and plan to support our Veterans and their families, empower them to fully participate in our economy, and connect them with vital resources to live full and dynamic lives,” said Dan Magoon, a resident of Dorchester and an U.S. Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. “I look forward to working with John to expand programs and services for Boston’s Veterans, and continue traditions like Operation Thank A Veteran and the Hero Square initiative. I am eager to support enhanced Veterans programs for workforce training, business growth, mental health services, and the creation of affordable Veteran homeownership." “I am grateful to Dan for his service, support, and leadership on veterans’ issues. I look forward to working with him and Boston’s large community of servicemembers and veterans on how best to honor their service and sacrifice, and make sure they have access to opportunities for civilian employment, benefits for them and their families, and access to affordable housing and healthcare services,” said Barros. To make sure that the City of Boston and the Office of Veterans Services increases access and engages more Veterans, a Barros administration will assist in filing disability claims, and hire a a licensed clinician for veterans dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and Substance Abuse. To build on those improvements, John plans to host town halls throughout the City to provide a safe space for Veterans and families to share their stories of struggle and success, including sessions that focus on LGBTQ+, female and disabled Veterans, Veterans of color, those suffering from PTSD, and sessions focused on particular vocations. During John’s tenure as Executive Director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, he led the construction of over 200 affordable homes, and as Boston’s Chief of Economic Development, he brought communities to the table and dedicated city resources to creating the greatest amount of affordable housing in Boston’s history. Barros feels that Boston has an obligation to ensure that low- and middle-income veterans can continue to live and raise their families in the city, and his Veterans plan includes directing more city resources towards affordable housing for service members. His plan also commits to building more housing for low-income senior veterans, who are often people of color and women, and who are not being properly served by the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers’ Homes. This proposed senior housing would include a compact living facility that offers wraparound services and common spaces. For full details on John Barros’ veterans plan, please visit barrosformayor.com/veterans.