First Annual “Seattle Stand Down” Gives a Hand Up to Homeless Veterans
SEATTLE — More than 500 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families will be offered a “hand up” with a variety of services provided at the first annual Seattle Stand Down on September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Mitchell Activity Center on the campus of Seattle Central Community College, 1718 Broadway. Free parking will be available in the Harvard Garage, corner of E. Pine and Harvard.
Seattle Stand Down will provide services such as medical and legal aid, employment services, housing resources, alcohol/drug counseling referrals, plus haircuts, showers, personal hygiene items and food. Nearly 100 volunteers, including Seattle Mariner employees and the Moose, will be assisting throughout the day. The event is ASL interpreted. Community partners include Seattle Central Community College, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, King County Veterans, United Way, Veterans of Foreign Wars and other agencies and organizations.
“Seattle Stand Down gives us a great opportunity to come together and thank our veterans,” said Sam Barrett, director of Seattle Stand Down. Barrett, who served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, is the former president of Seattle Central’s Student Veterans Association. “Providing these resources can help our Veterans and their families achieve what we are all looking for – respect, security, gainful employment, a home, a warm bed, a meal, and the feeling that others care about them. Veterans do not want a hand out; they did not receive them during service, and they do not want them now. However, some veterans do need a ‘hand up,’ and this is what we hope to provide on September 15.”
Veterans will receive a variety of medical screenings offered through Mobile Medical, Mobile Dental, Swedish Mobile Mammography Program, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance’s Mammovan, Veteran Affairs Medical Center (American Lake), Seattle University nursing students, Seattle Central Community College’s Dental Hygiene Program, and the University of Washington’s Dental Program. Referrals for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse will also be offered.
Housing services will be provided by Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans Rapid Rehousing, King County Housing & Stability, HUD, Compass Center, and Union Gospel Mission.
Employment support will be provided through the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces, U.S. Department of Labor Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), WorkSource, and Seattle Vocational Institute’s Office of Career Planning and Placement. Staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration and Veterans Service Organizations will offer assistance with VA benefits claims.
Legal aid will be provided by staff from Legal Assistance to Military Personnel (LAMP), Northwest Justice Project, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs/King County Veterans’ Incarcerated Program, Camp Murray’s J9 Center, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
A variety of human and social services will be provided by the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery program (SOAR), Security Administration, VFW Service Officers, Red Cross, Solid Ground’s Community Voice Mail, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, and El Centro De La Raza.
Veterans will also receive lunch provided by Fare Start and haircuts by cosmetology students from Seattle Vocational Institute.
For further information, please call 206.934.5417 or visit www.seattlestanddown.com.