Stand Down in July will aid area veterans

By Cheri Carlson (Contact) Ventura County Star

Homeless veterans will get a place to stay, three meals a day and access to needed services from legal help to hot showers and new glasses at the 17th annual Ventura County Stand Down next month.

The long-standing grass-roots event will be July 24-26 at the California Army National Guard Armory in Ventura.

Over the weekend, participants will have access to free services ranging from employment counseling to haircuts, clean clothes and information about VA benefits and other services. Veterans from Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles counties are expected to participate this year.

“It’s a one-stop shop,” said Claire Hope, founder and chairwoman. She expects more veterans to show up this year because of the economy and job losses and, she said, “We’re ready for them.”

The grounds of the armory are prepared by local Seabees, who erect military-style tents and set up cots where the veterans stay over the weekend. During their stay, they have access to showers, toiletries, clean clothing and three hot meals a day.

On Friday, a volunteer judge will be on hand for a Superior Court session in which veterans are able to resolve legal cases. They can be ordered to do community service at the Stand Down site instead of fines or jail time, organizers said.

Last year, the Stand Down ran just one day, without the usual tent city, but organizers decided to go back to a three-day event this year, Hope said. It will provide veterans an opportunity to build camaraderie with one another and the volunteers and give them access to more services.

“Sometimes it’s just that little item that keeps them on the street,” Hope said. “Sometimes all they need is a pair of eyeglasses.”

Others need more help, she said. But even if the Stand Down doesn’t allow them to break out of homelessness, Hope said, they get two nights and three days of respite from the streets.

Stand Down started in San Diego in 1988 as a community-based intervention program for homeless veterans.

Over the past 21 years, the concept has caught on in cities across the country. About 100 events are planned nationwide this year, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates services have reached about 200,000 homeless veterans and their families.

Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell are honorary co-chairmen of the local program. They have served for 17 consecutive years.

Volunteers are welcome at the event.

Preregistration is encouraged, but not required, for veterans.

On the Net:

http://vcstanddown.com