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| A veteran receives services & supplies at last year's Stand Down. Photo: Nora Wallace. |
Some 500 veterans will spend four hours at the Santa Maria Fairpark, where they will receive clothing, food, legal advice and more. The Fairpark is located at 937 Thornburg St., and free transportation is available from locations throughout the county for veterans who sign up in advance.
Information on how to register for the event, and the free shuttles to get to the event, is available at http://sbcountystanddown.com/index.html.
The Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services is a key participant, and will be on site to offer information about our services, including food aid, cash aid, and job services. Other agencies to be present include County Behavioral Wellness, the Social Security Administration, the Public Defender, Legal Aid, and Good Samaritan Shelter Services, to name a few. In all, about 90 service organizations, providers and employers will be on hand at the site.
During the Stand Down, veterans will have the opportunity to get a haircut, eat a hot meal, talk to a counselor, connect with a support group, get medical and dental attention, create resumes, use notary services, do job searches, sign-up for VA assistance, get dogs microchipped and groomed, speak with suicide prevention specialists, have PTSD screening and get clothing mended.
A fun zone will be available for kids, additional women's services will be available for female vets, and entertainment and meals will be provided.
Pacific Pride and CHC will offer HIV and Hepatitis C testing. The Lions Club of the Santa Maria Valley will offer vision screening. Alberto Ugalde, owner of Landmark Barbers Shaving Parlor and Lounge, will provide hot shaves and haircuts for men. The Santa Maria Library Foundation will provide GED tutoring. Support groups will be held for those dealing with alcohol and narcotic addictions.
While the event is open for all vets, special services will be specifically available for veterans experiencing homelessness. "The Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down can offer hope and resources that are not available on the streets," said Supervisor Lavagnino. "The event is an opportunity for veterans to receive services and support with the goal of becoming independent and breaking the cycle of homelessness." As in previous years, the Stand Down qualified for a federal Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program grant, which allowed organizers to purchase several hundred pairs of boots and other supplies specifically for homeless veterans.
In 2015, the Stand Down served 527 veterans, including 121 homeless veterans, 38 female veterans and six homeless female veterans. Some 700 volunteers assisted, including those from the community, service organizations, Vandenberg, the Grizzly Academy and Civil Air Patrol. Last year, 78 different services were offered.
