JANINE SMITH-CITRON

POSTED ON MONDAY, 07 MARCH 2022 01:41

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Lake County Vet Connect Volunteers will host a quarterly mobile Stand Down, an outreach event for local veterans who are homeless or experiencing uncertain housing.

The event will take place Wednesday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the American Legion Post 437, 14770 Austin Road.

The Stand Down offers immediate intervention support in the form of supplies and housing, employment services and other community resource information. A hot lunch will be provided. Veterans must provide their ID cards or DD Forms 214.

Resources will be offered covering a variety of topics including veterans’ services, housing and homeless assistance, employment, safe medication disposal, emergency preparedness, advance care planning, behavioral health, employment assistance and more.

“In the military, ‘Stand Down’ afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirits, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment,” said Vet Connect Chair Chris Taliaferro.

“Today, ‘Stand Down’ refers to grassroots, community-based intervention programs designed to help the nation’s homeless veterans ‘combat’ life on the streets. Homeless veterans are brought together in a single location and are provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and start rebuilding their lives,” added Taliaferro.

The Lake County Veterans Council asks the public to spread the word regarding the event so that local homeless or near homeless veterans can be reached and may benefit from the assistance available.

The Veterans Stand Down will follow protocols recommended by the County of Lake Public Health Department to reduce the spread of COVID. Masks are required and will be provided.

For more information, contact Taliaferro at christopher.taliaferro@edd.ca.gov or Nikki Derr at 707-234-9950. For updates, visit the Vet Connect Hookup Hub on Facebook.

Janine Smith-Citron is development director for Hospice Services of Lake County.