A recent meeting of the New Jersey Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee highlighted the urgent need for targeted support for women veterans through the introduction of the YMCA's Operation Sisterhood program. Lucy Delgaudio, a U.S. Army veteran and representative of the YWCA of Northern New Jersey, presented the program, which aims to address the unique challenges faced by women transitioning from military service to civilian life.

Delgaudio emphasized that women veterans, who make up about 10% of the veteran population nationwide and approximately 26,000 in New Jersey, encounter significant barriers, including a lack of awareness about available benefits and higher rates of homelessness and unemployment compared to their male counterparts. A concerning statistic revealed that 45% of women veterans in New Jersey are unaware of the full range of VA benefits, which hinders their ability to access necessary support.

The program will offer resource navigation services to help women veterans connect with vital state and federal resources. Delgaudio pointed out that women veterans in New Jersey face a homelessness rate of 12%, which is above the national average, and an unemployment rate of 7.6%, higher than both male veterans and non-veteran women. Operation Sisterhood aims to provide housing assistance, job training, and mental health services, including trauma-informed counseling for those affected by military sexual trauma.

The committee members expressed their concern over the statistics presented, particularly regarding homelessness and unemployment among women veterans. Delgaudio explained that many shelters are male-centric and do not accommodate women with children, further complicating the issue of homelessness for female veterans.

The meeting concluded with a call for statewide funding to ensure the success and sustainability of Operation Sisterhood. Delgaudio urged the committee to support the initiative, which aims to create a model of care for women veterans not only in New Jersey but across the nation. The discussion underscored the ongoing need for equitable treatment and resources for women veterans, who have historically been underserved in comparison to their male counterparts.