NEWS: Wake County Stand Down to be Held March 26

3/9/2009

Homeless veterans in Wake County will have access to more than two dozen service providers on Thursday, March 26, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cornerstone Homeless Services Building, 220 Snow Avenue, Raleigh. Services available during the 2009 Capital Area Homeless Veterans Stand Down include assistance with Veterans Affairs benefits, social services, health care, education, mental health, substance abuse, employment, housing, spiritual care and basic needs.

Participants will also have access to showers, meals, laundry facilities, voicemail, haircuts and identification. Nationally, Stand Down is a grassroots, community-based intervention program designed to help the estimated 200,000 homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets. Wake County’s South Wilmington Street Center served more than 200 homeless veterans in 2008.

Stand Down will begin with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Activities will continue throughout the day. The sponsors for this year’s Capital Area Stand Down include Wake County Human Services and Veterans Services, N.C. Employment Security Commission, Raleigh Vet Center, Durham VA Medical Center, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service.

The Stand Down concept was popular in the Vietnam War, affording battle-weary soldiers a safe camp where services were provided and they had the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.

For additional information, contact South Wilmington Street Center Director Frank Lawrence at 919-508-0718 or Frankie.lawrence@co.wake.nc.us.

 

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