For the homeless veteran in Ventura County and elsewhere, life on the streets is debilitating at best. Suffering from lack of shelter, unemployment, physical and emotional disabilities, and lack of food, the homeless veteran often feels completely isolated from mainstream society and unable to break out of the self-perpetuating cycle of homelessness. The Stand Down Event seeks to change all that.
For those who do seek assistance, many are unable to access the help they need because the services required are spread out over a wide geographic area. This means homeless veterans must exert undue time and energy going from one agency to another. Frustration often results. Imagine how the veteran feels knowing he has given so much for his country and yet finds himself scraping for food.
In assisting our veterans who are homeless we realize that sometimes it takes just one small service for them to break out of the cycle of homelessness, such as needing a photo identification card, a bus token, a pair of shoes to start a new job, or not having any funds to pay for their fines that compounds into a bench warrant. Ventura County Stand Down allows access to a wide range of services over a short period of time. These services included medical attention, legal representation, employment counseling, mental health services, financial counseling, access to the court to assist with misdemeanor warrants, food and clothing, etc.
What: HOMELESS VETERANS VENTURA COUNTY STAND DOWN
Where: CA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY – 1270 Arundell – Ventura 93003
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday July 25, 26 & 27, 2014
Website: www.vcstanddown.org
Cost: FREE
Features:
- Food
- Showers
- Clothing
- Hair Cuts
- Comfort Kits
- Medical Assistance
- Employment Assistance
- Superior Court (Friday Only!)
- Social Services
- Dental Services
- Eye Exams & Glasses
- VA Benefiits
- Housing Information
- Legal Assistance
Cell Phones OK!
For more information, call (805) 987-3118
For transportation, contact Carl Lanterman @ 805-630-8110
PRE-REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED (NOT REQUIRED)
VETERANS MAY PRE-REGISTER AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
OXNARD
- Catholic Charities – 402 N. “A” Street
- Ventura County Rescue Mission – 234 E. Sixth Street
- Employment Development Dept. – 635 S. Ventura Road
- Community Action Program of Ventura County– 621 Richmond
PORT HUENEME
- Housing Authority – 250 N. Ventura Road
SIMI VALLEY
- The Samaritan Center – 280 Royal Avenue
THOUSAND OAKS
- 80 East Hillcrest Drive
VENTURA
- Catholic Charities – 303 North Ventura Avenue. Suite A
- Harbor Community Church – 3100 Preble Avenue
- Salvation Army – 155 S. Oak Street
- Vet Center – 790 E. Santa Clara Street
SANTA BARBARA
- Catholic Charities – 609 East Haley Street
- Veteran’s War Memorial Bldg. – 112 West Cabrillo
What to Expect
Each veteran, upon arriving at the gate, is registered and credentialed by one of the staff volunteers and assigned to a tent, group, and group leader. His/her personal belongings were stored in a secure storage area.
Color-coded identification wristbands are handed out to all participants identifying volunteers, veterans, guests, Stand Down Executive Staff, and VIPs.
Pursuant to being assigned to a tent, the veteran was then allowed to begin accessing the various services. If the veteran had any immediate legal or medical problems, they are directed to those providers first. Clothes, showers, haircuts are also the order of the day for many of the early arrivals.
By the end of the second day, many veterans have already begun making a tremendous transformation in their appearance and mental outlook. The community spirit and sense of camaraderie created during Stand Down helps the homeless veteran immensely.
In addition to providers offering benefit counseling, job referrals, medical or legal help, volunteers also conduct workshops on AIDS, PTSD, agent range, VA medical benefits, etc.
During the three days, eight substantive meals are provided offering a wide range of foods. The Salvation Army in Ventura provides refreshments and snacks between meals.
Entertainment and recreational activities are also available. Live entertainment is provided during the day, encompassing many talented musicians, comedians, and signers from the local area.
Transportation
Free transportation to ventura county stand down 2014 on friday, july 25, 2014
On sunday, july 27, at noon, free transportation will be provided from the ventura armory to all of the below locations – Everyone will be returned to their original pick up location
Approximate pick up times for all locations will be as noted.
For transportation information, please contact Carl Lanterman (805) 630-8110
SANTA BARBARA
- Between 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
- Veterans Memorial Hall – 112 West Cabrillo
OXNARD
- 7:00 to 7:15 AM
- Ventura County Rescue Mission – 234 East Sixth Street
- Community Action Program of Ventura County – 621 Richmond Avenue
PORT HUENEME
- 7:30 AM
- Housing Authority – 250 North Ventura Road
VENTURA
- 8:30 to 9:00 AM
- Harbor Community Church – 3100 Preble Avenue
- Catholic Charities – 303 North Ventura Avenue
- Knights of Columbus – 36 Figueroa Street
SIMI VALLEY
- 8 A.M.
- The Samaritan Center – 280 Royal Avenue
THOUSAND OAKS
- Between 8 :00 – 9:00 AM
- Under One Roof – 80 East Hillcrest Drive
SEPULVEDA
- Between 9:00 – 10:00 AM (bus leaves at 10:00)
- 16111 Plummer Street – Building #20 Parking Lot
