Recognizing Vietnam veterans as a national leadership resource, President Ronald Reagan launched the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP) at a White House Rose Garden Ceremony on the eve of Veterans Day in 1981.  Initial funding was provided by ACTION, the national volunteer agency.  As of June 1985, there were forty-three operational VVLP's around the country, including the Central New York Program.

The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Central New York is a not-for-profit corporation managed by a volunteer Board of Directors.  Its broadly defined goal is to demonstrate the leadership of the Vietnam veteran and recognize and promote the Vietnam veterans leadership resource throughout the broad six-county  region of Central New York.  Funding is currently provided by local fund-raising activities and private donations.

The principal activity of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Central New York is a college scholarship program for children and grandchildren of Central New York Vietnam veterans.  To that end, the VVLPCNY has awarded $150,000 in scholarships since 1989.

Each scholarship awarded represents a living legacy for the future of today's youth; a future denied to over 250 sons from central New York who never returned from Vietnam.  The CNYVVLP Scholarship Program pays tribute and honors the Central New York casualties of the Vietnam War.   No greater love for our nation's ideals could these young men have demonstrated. It is appropriate for their names to be remembered through the gift of a scholarship.  The living legacy ensures that today's youth, through education, will reflect upon those values so necessary for our democracy.

Individual members of the VVLP Board of Directors are also active in other areas related to Vietnam veterans.  These include POW/MIA issues, post-traumatic stress disorder research, chemical contamination of Vietnam veterans by the herbicide Agent Orange, education through public speaking, homelessness among veterans, drug abuse prevention, joblessness, etc.

Now in the twenty-third year of operation, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Central New York continues to demonstrate the leadership of the Vietnam Veteran.

The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program accepts new directors at any time.   If you are committed to VVLP activities and wish to volunteer, please contact the organization.