Second 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 second annual Seattle Stand Down on September 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Seattle Central Community College on Capitol Hill. Services and resources will be provided at the Mitchell Activity Center, 1718 Broadway, with additional services for women offered at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway. Free parking will be available in the Harvard Garage, corner of E. Pine and Harvard.
Community partners for the event 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.
More than 100 volunteers will be assisting throughout the day and offering services such as medical and legal aid, employment services, housing resources, alcohol/drug counseling referrals, plus haircuts, personal hygiene items and food. Childcare will be provided by the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, located behind the college campus.
Following last year’s Stand Down, Dr. Paul T. Killpatrick, president of Seattle Central, indicated an interest in improving the event’s outreach and services to women veterans. “We provided many needed services to hundreds of veterans last year, but there were very few women veterans who were served. We’re committed to doing a better outreach job this year. We also have an additional facility for women which allows for a more private space and with services tailored specifically for our women veterans.”
The need is clear. “Since 9/11 more than 200,000 women have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, with more and more serving in combat zones” said Rebecca Murch, veteran advocate and a member of the Stand Down planning committee. “Women in the military and women veterans have unique experiences and needs from those of their male counterparts. According to the Veteran Administration, eleven per cent of these women are single parents; have higher rates of unemployment; and it is estimated that 1 out of 3 women in the military have been sexually assaulted, compared to 1 out of 6 civilians. Unfortunately, these needs and experiences often go unmet and unrecognized while in the military and after. As more and more women continue to serve in our military, it is important that we recognize the need for and are able to provide the unique services that they will need and deserve.”
Some of the providers offering services specifically for women veterans include the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, YWCA (clothing for women and other services), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) counselors, and New Beginnings (domestic violence advocates), among others. Hair styling, manicures, massages, and childcare will also be available.
Veterans will receive a variety of medical screenings offered through Mobile Medical, Mobile Dental, 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, among others. 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, Compass Center, Plymouth Housing Group, and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI).
Employment support will be provided through the 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.
A variety of human and social services will be provided by the Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS), HopeLink, Urban Rest Stop, VFW Service Officers, Solid Ground’s Community Voice Mail, and El Centro De La Raza.
Veterans will also receive lunch provided by Puget Consumers Coop (PCC), Double D Meats, Pinks Bakery and the Elks Club. Haircuts and manicures will be provided by cosmetology students from Seattle Vocational Institute.
Other services, resources and providers will be announced at a later date.
How you can help: For organizations or agencies interested in providing services, for those wishing to volunteer, or for further information, please call 206.934.5417 or visit: www.seattlestanddown.com.
Media contact: David Underwood, david.underwood@seattlecolleges.edu or 206.934.3881