South San Francisco, CA August 21, 2017 by Carolyn Livengood
Homeless and at-risk veterans and their families are urged to register at www.lionsclubsvetstanddown.org now through Sept. 4 for the “Stand Down San Mateo 2017” event being held from Sept. 9-11 at the San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Dr., in San Mateo.
A continuation of the San Mateo County’s one-day Stand Down held May 5, the first-ever three-day encampment in Northern California is being coordinated by Lions clubs in cooperation with veterans and veteran support groups, other service organizations, military and community and military leaders. All are joining together to help veterans with a “hand up” by providing a multitude of services for the veterans during their stay.
Some of the services that will be available include: medical and dental; employment and housing; mental health; veterans benefits; court and legal services; wellness and chaplain services; transitional housing; meals, clothing and hygiene; onsite pet care; DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) services; and substance abuse assistance.
One of the Stand Down sponsors is HavenWorks Inc., a California nonprofit organization dedicated to helping end the cycle of homelessness among military veterans, families and people in transition who currently live in, or are at risk toward living in, recreational vehicles parked on city streets without adequate water, sewer, and electric hookups.
“Since 2006, HavenWorks has lobbied planning departments and city councils of the San Francisco Bay Area to change zoning laws to include recreational vehicles with the description of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), and Secondary Unit Ordinances,” says HavenWorks public service announcement. “HavenWorks primary mission is to enable rapid housing in a recreational vehicles, and to help find or build a clean safe place to park within the ‘Trinity of Existence,’water/sewer/electric.
“With its unique ‘Class A Homesites’ concept, HavenWorks strives to be part of the solution toward rapid/transitional housing that will allow the freedom to have a decent life in a recreational vehicle while laying the foundation toward stable, permanent housing.”
Sponsors, volunteers, and exhibitors are being sought to help our male and female veterans and their families with the services they deserve for all they have given for our country’s freedom. “All about the Veteran,” the Stand Down goal is to treat all veteran participants with respect and dignity…the event’s motto is “They fought for us, now we fight for them.”
For more sponsorship, donation and exhibitor information, call or email: Eleanor Britter, 415-378-6789, estjohn7@gmail.com.
To volunteer for security, call or email: Bill Britter, 650-867-0982, billb8816@gmail.com.
To learn more about registation for homeless or at-risk veterans or for veterans who would like to volunteer four hours service at the Stand Down, call or email: Pat Hughes, 650-619-7501, patdalibra@aol.com.
Information about participating is also available at: www.lionsclubsvetstanddown.org.