About Us

About Angels For Warriors

For America’s returning warriors, civilian life is rarely easy or straightforward. As a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Veteran resource center, Angels for Warriors provides crucial guidance as Long Island Nassau and Suffolk County Veterans and their families fight for their rights here at home. With an emphasis on pro-bono and low-bono legal representation, Angels for Warriors advocates for veterans and active duty military who face a variety of legal challenges and indignities, including landlord-tenant disputes, minor traffic or criminal offenses, and automatic denials of social security and other benefits. Emotional and societal concerns are also important to us. These include connecting Veterans with therapeutic community programs, assisting with healthcare advocacy, preventing or ameliorating homelessness, and reuniting families or keeping them together.

Angels for Warriors was founded in 2012 by Rogerlyn Velez Cipriano, together with her brother, Sgt. Angel Velez, a few years after he sustained severe injuries during military service. Sgt. Velez served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and Ms. Cipriano was inspired by her experience advocating for his care. As one of the few to survive a horrific explosion in Afghanistan, Sgt. Velez needed over a dozen surgeries. Ms. Cipriano had to advocate with doctors, and even with his superiors. Now, she is determined to ensure that our returning warriors are able to more easily access healthcare and social security benefits, as well as other critical programs.

Partnering with Angels for Warriors

At Angels for Warriors, we work tirelessly with local politicians and other Veteran support organizations to ensure that the Veteran receives the proper attention and assistance. Over time, we have raised funds and awareness about the many needs of our Veterans. We are especially grateful for our mutual ongoing relationship with the Northport VA, as well as many local chambers of commerce and corporations who value our organization’s locally focused mission in New York’s Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Community Partners

    • American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244
    • East Northport Rotary
    • Economic Opportunity Council
    • General Needs (Basic necessities for homeless Veterans)
    • Huntington Chamber of Commerce
    • Long Island Cares/ Harry Chapin Food Bank
    • Nassau Suffolk Law Services
    • New York State Division of Veteran’s Services
    • Northport Chamber of Commerce
    • Northport Veteran Administration Hospital
    • Rothco (a division of Morris Rothenberg & Son, Inc.)
    • Safe Guard Credit Counseling Services Inc.
    • Services for the Underserved-Supportive Services for Veteran Families
    • Suffolk County Employment Agency
    • Suffolk County Veteran’s Service Agency
    • Townwide Fund
    • Touro College
    • United Veterans Beacon House

For more information, or if you’d like an internship or volunteer opportunity, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can also email [email protected] or call 631-651-5471.

If you are interested in VOLUNTEERING or an INTERNSHIP, please contact our office for available opportunities.

Board of Directors

Rogerlyn Velez, ESQ
CEO & Founder, Angels for Warriors
Rogerlyn Velez Attorney at Law P.C. Adjunct Professor, Molloy College
Rogerlyn Velez, ESQ
CEO & Founder, Angels for Warriors
Rogerlyn Velez Attorney at Law P.C. Adjunct Professor, Molloy College
Sergeant Angel M. Velez
Retired Army Officer OEF/OIF Veteran
Sergeant Angel M. Velez
Retired Army Officer OEF/OIF Veteran

Eric Breen
President & CEO, Marine Interface Systems
Graduate, United States Merchant Marine Academy

Robert Cipriano, ESQ.
Law Offices of Robert M. Cipriano P.C.

Mercedes Colwin, ESQ.
Managing Partner, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP
Fox News Legal Analyst

Effie Huber
Retired Educator
Northport Community Liason

Brian Yudewitz, ESQ.
Brian Yudewitz Attorney at Law P.C.
Officer, Huntington Chamber of Commerce
Former Board President, Splashes of Hope

Attorney Affiliations

Please be advised that our attorneys will only provide pro bono legal assistance to clients who are referred directly from Angels for Warriors.

Ms. Michele Aulivola, Esq.
Long, Tuminello LLP

Mr. Kenneth Beskin, Esq.
Fusco Brandenstein & Rada P.C.

Law offices of Robert Cipriano, P.C.

Finkelstein & Partners

Mr. Daniel Groth, Esq.

Mr. Justin Hoistma, Esq.
Hoitsma & Uhlich, P.C.

Law Offices of Barry D. Lites LLP

Mr. Joseph Matza, Esq.

Ms. Sandra McIlveen, Esq.
Polin, Prisco & Villafane LLP

Raiser & Keniff P.C.

Ms. Janet Santeramo, Esq.
USMC Veteran

Sokoloff & Stern LLP

Mr. Brian Yudewitz, ESQ.

For more information on Angels For Warriors,
contact us here, or call 631-651-5471.