NEWS

Two-day event aids homeless and at-risk veterans

Amanda Claire Curcio
Democrat staff writer
Local leaders are pooling resources to help the area's veterans,

A coalition of local organizations and businesses is working to ensure that the fourth annual North Florida Homeless Veterans Stand Down will make a difference in the lives of homeless veterans.

The event — held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the North Florida Fairgrounds, located on Paul Russell Road — will offer homeless veterans and their families free meals and an array of services, such as wellness screenings, eye exams, counseling, haircuts, issuance of ID cards and educational and employment assistance.

Stand Down, a grassroots, community-based initiative led by the Florida Veterans Foundation, attempts to address challenges facing many homeless veterans, including job layoffs, affordable housing shortage, lack of health care and substance abuse.

"These hardships, often compounded by a loss of family and social support networks, make the issue of homelessness a difficult social challenge," said Donna Barron, the organization's director, in a prepared statement.

The foundation needs additional support from volunteers to help run the event, Barron also said. Online registration ended earlier this week, but walk-in volunteers are encouraged to contact the director at (850) 488-4181.

Stand Down bolsters a recent effort by the community to address homelessness among veterans.

Last year, government officials, the Big Bend Homeless Coalition and other non-profit leaders endeavored to house hundreds of homeless veterans in the area through a project called Zero: 2016. Preliminary figures show their efforts have been largely successful, with dozens of homeless veterans relocated to at least temporary housing programs almost every month.

MORE INFORMATION

  • To attend the event, veterans should register with Veterans Affairs representatives, (850) 521-5767, or the Florida Veterans Foundation, (850) 488-4181.
  • Veteran status must be verified by the VA, with either a VA card or DD-214 and government-issued photo ID.
  • More information about Stand Down can be found online at www.floridaveteransfoundation.org.