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Operation Sisterhood: Supporting women veterans in New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11) — Standing up for women who have served is a woman who served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Army veteran Lucy Del Gaudio isn't just using her voice, she's taking action to help women vets with YWCA Northern New Jersey's Operation Sisterhood. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State 'A program like ours could basically help them navigate the system, find the right resource for the right issue they might be facing,' said Del Gaudio. Launched just months ago with the goal of supporting women veterans transitioning back to civilian life, Del Gaudio says difficulty in accessing mental health services is among the biggest concerns among female veterans in New Jersey, along with underemployment and lack of knowledge of VA services. So far, it serves women vets in Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Passaic, and Morris Counties. On Monday, Del Gaudio came to Trenton to speak to the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee to ask lawmakers to consider how Trenton could help them expand. 'We are seeking targeted statewide funding that would allow us to directly expand our housing support, job training, and trauma-informed services for women veterans,' Del Gaudio testified to the committee. More Local News Some of the lawmakers on the committee say they hadn't heard of Operation Sisterhood but are glad to have heard their story, and will keep their conversation going in Trenton. '[Veterans]They're the reason, they served, they put their life on the line for the freedoms that we have,' said Sen. Lathan Tiver (R-NJ 8th District). 'While it's disheartening, it was unsurprising to hear the accounts of the challenges that female veterans face in transitioning to civilian life after their military service,' said Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-NJ32nd District). 'It's on us to smooth the path for them.' The next steps would involve lawmakers proposing a budget appropriation for the group. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.