Lake County Vet Connect members will host the annual Veterans Stand Down, an outreach event for local veterans and active military personnel who will benefit from connecting with community and Veterans resources Scheduled for Sept. 20 and 21, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day, the event will be at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin Street. Veterans must provide their ID cards or DD Forms 214. Lake Transit will provide veterans free rides to the Stand Down. Lunch will be served by Vet Connect volunteers.
Resources to be offered include a significant amount of veterans’ services such as MPIC, VetWorks, disability services, DMV, Nations Finest, One Step Away, housing, homeless assistance, emergency preparedness, Woodland Community College, behavioral health, substance abuse counseling services, employment assistance, advance care planning, and child support assistance.
Hundreds of local veterans in all walks of life are served by the Veterans Stand Down and mobile outreach events. “Being a military veteran of 20 years. I understand the challenges transitioning to civilian life and how important it is to accept and receive help. Stand Down provided me with training and employment assistance, for which I am very grateful” states Patrick Prather, Career Point North Bay Business Solutions Consultant.
The Vet Connect committee currently falls under the auspices of the Lake County United Veterans Council, a nonprofit organization. Members are asking the public to spread the word regarding the Stand Down and benefits available to local veterans.
“In the military, ‘Stand Down’ afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirits, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment,” says Vet Connect Chair Chris Taliaferro.
“Today, ‘Stand Down’ refers to grassroots, community-based intervention programs designed to help our nation’s vulnerable veterans remain safe and receive the services they need to achieve a healthy lifestyle. At risk veterans are invited to a single location and provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems.”
For more information, contact Taliaferro at christopher.taliaferro@edd.ca.gov or Janine Smith-Citron at (707) 263-6222. For updates, visit the Vet Connect Hookup Hub on Facebook.
