Putnam County Veterans’ Town Hall #2
Military and Veteran’s Financial Health and Well Being
This Town Hall is to raise awareness of and provide access to financial resources available to Putnam County’s military-connected community.
VA Home Loan eligibility, qualifications, and recent updates
Homeownership planning and local housing insights
Credit, lending, and financial planning resources
Tools for building long-term financial stability
Joins us and make sure you’re accessing all the benefits you’ve earned and strengthening your financial well-being.
WHO: Veterans, Active Duty, Guard, Reserve — and families!
WHEN: Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 6:45 PM
WHERE: Mahopac Public Library
668 US-6, Mahopac, NY 10541
No cost!
Questions? Reach out any time: dwyerputnam@guardianrevival.org
Please Register
Limited seats available; additional RSVPs will be placed on a waitlist.
All who RSVP will receive a recap of the meeting to the email provided.
Expert Speakers & Topics to Help You
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Todd Dorris – Program Coordinator, Dwyer Vet2Vet of Putnam County
VA Home Loans & Homeownership - Home at Last
Frank Antonelli – Director, Home at Last & Veteran Outreach Coordinator
NYS - Appointed VA Home Loan Counselor
Breif Overview of oVA Home Loans
Managing homeownership costs & maintenance
Refinancing or downsizing: Sell To a Hero
Financial Stability and Credit
Hudson Valley Credit Union
Kathleen Benz - SVP, Director, Residential Loans Originations
Christopher Galayda - VP, Senior Branch Manager
Michael Picciano – VP, Mortage Loan Originator
Why Veterans choose VA home loans
Credit scores, debt, income, and loan rediness
Avoiding common credit mistakes
Preparing financially for home ownership: Budgeting & Financial Habits
Budgeting & Financial Habits
BuildingBlocsLiteracy
Aaron Kershaw - Founder/CEO, BuildingBlocs Publishing LLC
Emotional Spending
Simple, sustainable financial habits
Building a practical budget
Meet Your Host
Todd Dorris is originally from New Mexico and served in the Navy (7 years), Army (8 years), and Homeland Security (12 years). He has a BA in Psychology from Manhattan College, and was a residential counselor at Green Chimneys for 6 years.
Todd has been with Guardian Revival for 4 years, guiding trips for Another Summit before becoming the Program Coordinator for Putnam County Dwyer Vet2Vet, administered by Guardian Revival.
PFC Dwyer Vet2Vet Program
The Putnam County Veterans Service Agency PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet (Veterans’ Peer Services Project) provides services such as support groups, social activities, helping Vets get their benefit claims back on track, advise them on how to access their education benefits, and much more.
Joseph P. Dwyer was an Army Medic whose face was well known as a result of a photo that was published of him carrying a young, injured Iraqi boy during a battle on March 25, 2003. Army Times photographer Warren Zinn saw the situation unfold and clicked away as Dwyer met the boy’s father — who carried a white flag and his injured son to the soldier, eventually bringing the 4-year-old to safety. Dwyer suffered from severe PTSD and died at age 31 from an overdose on June 28, 2008.
Guardian Revival
Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that improves the mental health & well-being of military, veterans, and first responders — our guardians — and their families, at no cost to them.
Our Programs
Peer Services | Individual & group peer support for guardians by guardians
Dwyer of Putnam County | Events, information, and resources for Putnam County veterans
Another Summit | Outdoor adventures — walking, hiking, backpacking, paddling, and fly fishing
Boots & Paws | Providing dogs for the therapeutic benefits of animal companionship
Encore | Opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share music
Homefront | Support & resources for military & first responder families
RISE | Strength & resilience through fitness & wellness