Veterans 2020 event

With State and County restrictions on gatherings and events continuing, the annual Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down has been canceled for 2020 to keep attendees, providers, and volunteers safe.

However, thanks to a partnership between our County Workforce Development Board, Goodwill Industries of Ventura & SB Counties, and our County Veterans Stand Down group, we were able to organize a Salute to Veterans Drive Thru event to be held this Veterans Day, November 11, 2020 at locations in SM, SB, Lompoc and Oxnard from 11am to 2pm. This will be a Grab n’ Go event with a bag of items and information on community resources. It's a great and safe alternative to our traditional Stand Down event. Veterans are encouraged to drive-thru for a contactless exchange, but walk-ups can be safely accommodated. We thank our local heroes for their service! Click here for a printable flyer with the details.

Additionally, Stand Down participants are continuing to contact homeless vets and make referrals through the Stand Down Homeless Veterans Assistance Project. If you know a veteran or veteran's family that could use help from these partner agencies, please contact the Stand Down Hotline at (805) 346-8402.

DSS to serve veterans at Stand Down

A veteran receives services & supplies at
last year's Stand Down. Photo: Nora Wallace.

On October 15, 2016, 5th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino and volunteers of the Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down Committee will make critical supplies and services available at no cost to homeless veterans and veterans in need.

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.

Stand Down Serves Veterans

Led by Fifth District County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, Santa Barbara County hosted its fourth annual Veteran Stand Down event on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Santa Maria Fairpark, to connect homeless and unemployed veterans with an array of services in one location.

Over 500 local veterans and their families attended, including over 100 homeless veterans. Free transportation to the Fairpark was provided from seven locations countywide. Services were offered by nearly 100 public and private agencies, aided by about 300 volunteers and 150 active-duty military personnel.

Veterans Administration staff screened arrivals for veteran status, and explained VA benefits. A uniformed active-duty Airman then joined each veteran to literally walk him or her through the vast array of services available. The military escort system is unique to Stand Down, establishing a supportive environment that promotes a sense of belonging, acceptance, camaraderie and respect. The escort can also carry any goods acquired during the visit, which is especially helpful for veterans who are frail, elderly or disabled.

Services available at Stand Down included:

• Basic necessities including two meals, showers, clothing, boots and shoes
• Supplies such as personal hygiene products, backpacks, can openers, and nonperishable food
• Medical services including flu shots, medical exams from the VA, and dental services from the Community Health Clinics
• Counseling for mental health, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, intervention, and employment
• Employment and training referrals
• Screenings for public benefit programs, gift cards for food, grants for rent deposits, and bus tokens for follow-up appointments in the community
• Services for female veterans only including women’s preventive health services; mending, alterations and career wear; massages and makeovers; and job coaching and resume help
• Pet services including vaccinations and microchipping

Participating County agencies included the Departments of Social Services, Public Health, Probation, and Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Services; as well as the Public Defender, Superior Court, DA Victim Witness, Child Support Services, and County Veteran's Services Office.

Stand Down represents the culmination of a year’s worth of planning by dozens of partners, supported in part by outreach from the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness, aid from the Federal Homeless Veteran Reintegration Grant, and the passion of local volunteers eager to give back to the veterans that have served our country. DSS looks forward to participating in Stand Down once again in 2016.

Stand Down event helps nearly 500 veterans

Santa Barbara County hosted its third annual “Stand Down” event on October 18 at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Spearheaded by Fifth District County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, the event is intended to connect veterans — especially those who are homeless or unemployed — with a wide array of services in one location. A total of 490 veterans, including 117 homeless veterans, and their families attended. The massive, indoor-outdoor event was the culmination of more than a year of planning by dozens of agencies, including the Department of Social Services.

 

Click the Read More link below for more details and lots of pictures!