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Veteran Stand Down Event to Connect Homeless Vets to Services

 

RALEIGH — On Thursday, March 27, homeless veterans will have a chance to access an array of services designed to help them move out of homelessness. The event will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Cornerstone Homeless Services Building located at 220 Snow Avenue in Raleigh,

 

Wake County Commissioners Joe Bryan and Harold Webb will participate in the opening ceremony with a color guard made up of members from the South Wilmington Street Center’s Veterans Support Group. In addition, Congressman Brad Miller will be on hand to release the results for the Point-In-Time Count for 2008.

 

The Stand Down is a one-day event where homeless veterans access a wide range of services. Homeless veterans are assisted in obtaining Veterans Affairs benefits, social services, health care, education, mental health, substance abuse, employment, housing, spiritual care and basic needs.

 

“Veteran Stand Downs are great opportunities for both veterans and the community to come together,” said Frank Lawrence, Wake County Homeless Veterans Services Officer and one of the event coordinators. “It provides multiple services that veterans need but often have difficulty accessing.  It will also give the folks in the community a chance to show their appreciation and support for those that served our country.”

 

There will be more than 40 service providers including Durham’s VA Medical Center. According to Bob Williamson a VA social worker, “A Stand Down is an opportunity to assist those veterans who served their county when the country needed them.”

 

One of the highlights of the opening ceremony will be the story of a formerly homeless veteran who found help at a Veteran’s Stand Down. Herman Davis, will serve as a guest speaker along with Commissioners Bryan and Webb, and Representative Miller. According to Davis, “the Stand Down gives an incredible amount of support to veterans rebuilding their lives.  You're overwhelmed by the amount of services that show up to help you with your needs.  It was amazing how all of the services could come together in one place to help me.”

 

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