VA North Texas Health Care System
Dallas Homeless Veterans Stand Down Provides Relief and Hope
November 1, 2010
DALLAS – VA North Texas Health Care System is partnering with Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas, Inc. and Texas Veterans Commission to host a two-day event for the 19th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down at the Embarcadero Building, Dallas Fair Park, 1229 Admiral Nimitz Circle at Gate 3 on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two-day event will provide information, resources, medical services, hope, employment opportunities, and needed winter garments to over 500 homeless veterans. A community-wide effort, this event is made possible with the support of over 300 volunteers, over 50 agencies and faith-based organizations.
On November 4, homeless veterans will have access to health screenings, flu shots, VA benefits information, housing, winter clothing and shoes, hygiene items, employment and work therapy services, mental health services, vision impairment, taxpayer advocate, and legal aid services. VA's Vet Center mental health crisis mobile unit will also be on hand.
Thanks to Aetrex Shoes, who has provided VA with many years of ongoing support, more than 1,000 pairs of shoes will be given to homeless veterans. Coffee and donuts will be provided by the Salvation Army Carr P. Collins canteen and a hot lunch cooked and served by the Texas Baptist Men. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by Refreshing Voices of Praise.
The November 5 event is geared toward putting homeless veterans back to work. This job resource fair will provide veterans seeking employment an opportunity to connect with employers ready to hire. Securing employment and job assistance is one of the most essential tools in the struggle to end homelessness. Veterans attending the job resource fair will also
receive a meal courtesy of Chef Daniel Winans and the culinary team of The Grill on the Alley at Galleria Dallas.
This event is an opportunity for veterans to obtain resources to help in the fight to eliminate homelessness. It is a time for the community to connect with the homeless population and address this crisis that affects each and every town, city, and state in this country. "The Homeless Veterans Stand Down will allow the community to pull together resources and job opportunities for our veterans with a common goal of ending the fight against homelessness and helping others find hope when they may have thought all was lost," said Tammy Wood, health care for homeless veterans program manager at VA North Texas Health Care System. The homeless stand down motto is "It's a 'hand-up, not a hand-out'" for homeless veterans and citizens throughout the Dallas metroplex."
An estimated 15 percent of America's homeless adults are veterans, and last year VA launched a campaign to eliminate homelessness among veterans within five years. VA North Texas Health Care System provides a comprehensive homeless center for veterans to include: compensated and transitional work therapy, supportive employment, residential rehabilitation treatment, transitional or permanent supportive housing, resource homeless hotline, and community-based homeless outreach intervention programs in emergency shelters and on the streets. These programs are all designed to help the homeless veteran "combat" life on the streets, as well as provide them tools and training to transition them from homeless to independent community living.
For more information regarding the stand down, please contact Tammy Wood at 214-467-1863.
