Our Veterans Coalition’s work offering free TIPS (NY ATAP) training to Veteran-serving organizations has grown through relationship-building and collaboration across the community. TIPS is certified through NY ATAP, New York State’s Alcohol Training Awareness Program, which promotes responsible alcohol service and safer community spaces.

The Coalition’s effort is focused largely on American Legions and VFWs. These are spaces where Veterans often gather and where responsible alcohol service plays an important role in safety and well-being. The training helps staff recognize signs of impairment and promotes safer, more informed service practices.

That work recently expanded through a partnership with the Shortsville Honor Guard, with our Veterans Coalition program coordinator Luke Moody helping to honor “the fallen Veterans in the community and rendering honors at funerals,” he said. Through that relationship, Moody connected with the Shortsville American Legion. As a result, the Legion agreed to have its bartending staff trained through the Coalition’s free TIPS program.

The Coalition continues to work with local Veteran organizations interested in bringing TIPS training to their staff as part of a broader effort to promote safety, responsibility, and care for those who have served.