Stand Down for homeless veterans is July 24





The 17th annual Ventura County Stand Down, which assists veterans in breaking out of the cycle of homelessness, will take place Fri. to Sun., July 24 to 26 at the California Army National Guard Armory in Ventura.

Veterans in Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles counties will participate.

Stand Down is a grass-roots, community-based intervention program designed to help the veterans who are homeless combat life on the streets.

During the threeday, twonight event, veterans will live on campus in military-style tents erected by the Seabees and have access to shower facilities, toiletries, new and used clean clothing and hot meals each day.

Working in conjunction with public and private agencies, Stand Down 2009 will provide homeless veterans with a myriad of services such as medical treatment, legal services, prescription lenses, employment counseling and referrals, VA benefits, drug and alcohol counseling, and information about general relief, transitional housing and other government and social services.

A Superior Court will take place on Fri., July 24 where veterans may adjudicate their pending legal cases before a volunteer judge who may, in lieu of fine or jail time, order veterans to participate in community service at the Stand Down site.

Veterans are encouraged to preregister at various social service agencies to facilitate their entrance into the event.

For more information, call Claire Hope, event chairperson, at (805) 987-3118 or e-mail clhope@aol.com or visit www .venturacountystanddown.com.


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