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Homeless vets to stand down at 3-day event
Services, other aid to be offered
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More from Local NewsStand Down, a community-based intervention program that helps homeless veterans combat life on the streets, will stand up for the 15th time Friday through Sunday at the California Army National Guard Armory in Ventura.
During the three-day, two-night Stand Down, veterans will live on the armory grounds in military-style tents erected by Seabees, said Claire Hope, founder and co-chairwoman of the event.
The veterans will have access to showers, toiletries, new and used clean clothing, and hot meals each day, Hope said.
Dozens of public and private agencies will be on hand to provide many services, including medical, legal, prescription lenses, and employment counseling and referrals to veterans.
Also available will be information about VA benefits, drug and alcohol counseling, general relief information, housing information, and other government and social services.
In addition, a special Superior Court session will be held Friday. Veterans will be able to resolve legal cases before a volunteer judge who, instead of ordering fines or jail time, will have them do community service at the Stand Down site.
Last year, about 120 veterans received help, Hope said.
"One of the many success stories of Stand Down is the formerly homeless veterans who return year after year as volunteers to assist their fellow veterans," Hope said.
The event could not have functioned 15 years without the dedication of those veterans and a core group of volunteers, she said. Many of the people who chair various committees have been volunteering since the first Stand Down.
This year, additional help is needed, Hope said.
"We need volunteers to help out by picking up donated clothing for us," she said. "Also, we need Levi's new or used of all sizes, we need people to cut hair, we need cases of water and we could use a few volunteers to help out doing general things."
Veterans coming to the Stand Down can register at one of a number of locations around the county or wait until Friday and register at the entrance to the armory.
Free transportation to and from the Stand Down will be provided in various communities.
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