First Annual “Seattle Stand Down” Gives a Hand Up to Homeless Veterans
Seattle Elks Lodge #92 will provide lunch for attending veterans and their families September 15 at Seattle Central Community College – Mitchell Activity Center
SEATTLE —More than 500 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families will be offered a “hand up” with a variety of services provided by more than 50 organizations and agencies at the first large-scale Seattle Stand Down at Seattle Central Community College’s Mitchell Activity Center, 1718 Broadway, September 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch for attending Veterans and their families is being generously donated by Seattle Elks Lodge #92. 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 150 volunteers, including employees of the Seattle Mariners 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.
Local agency and government officials attending include Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, Washington Department of Veteran Affairs Director John E. Lee, and Washington’s First Gentleman, Mike (“First Mike”) Gregoire, among others.
“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.”
Medical screenings will be provided by: King County Medical Van, Mobile Medical, Mobile Dental, Swedish Mobile Mammography Program, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance’s Mammovan, Pierce County Mental Health Van, Veteran Affairs Medical Center (American Lake), Eyes Right, Seattle University nursing students, Seattle Central Community College’s Dental Hygiene program, University of Washington Oral Health Collaborative, and the University of Washington Dental program. Referrals and assistance for veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse will also be offered. Staff from VA Puget Sound Suicide Prevention Team will be available to provide information about suicide prevention.
The VA Puget Sound Health Care system will have staff from the VA healthcare registration office to assist Veterans enrolling for healthcare. A VA medical provider will also be on site.
Housing services: Compass Center, Hopelink, Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans Rapid Rehousing, King County Housing & Stability, HUD, YWCA, Urban Rest Stop, and Union Gospel Mission. Staff from Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV/HUD-VASH) will provide information about VA Housing Programs.
Employment support services: Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces, U.S. Department of Labor Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP), WorkSource, Valley Cities, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and Seattle Vocational Institute’s Office of Career Planning and Placement. The Homeless Veterans Outreach Coordinator from the Veterans Benefits Administration and staff from the Veterans Service Organizations will offer assistance with VA benefits claims.
Legal aid: 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, Veterans Project, Internal Revenue Service, Washington Division of Child Support, and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP.
Human and social services: SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery program (SOAR), Security Administration, VFW Service Officers, Red Cross, Community Psychiatric Clinic- Project THRIVE, Solid Ground’s Community Voice Mail, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, and El Centro De La Raza.
Veterans will also receive haircuts by cosmetology students from Seattle Vocational Institute and personal hygiene supplies from Urban Rest Stop.
For further information, please call 206.934.5417 or visit www.seattlestanddown.com.