WASHINGTON – At the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C., (DCVAMC), Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki joined hundreds of volunteers in support of homeless Veterans in our Nation’s capital.
“I am personally committed to ending homelessness among Veterans within the next five years,” said Secretary Shinseki. “No one who has served this Nation as Veterans have should ever be living on the streets.”
Secretary Shinseki, along with 600 other volunteers – many of them VA employees – attended the Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down, an event which brings VA services and 80 community agencies together to provide a full day of support for homeless Veterans. More than 400 Veterans attended the Stand Down seeking health care, employment, education and housing services in a welcoming and safe environment.
“Stand downs like this one, held across the country, provide the one-stop assistance homeless Veterans need,” said Shinseki. “They can access a wide variety of medical and community services in one location, and they are served by staff and volunteers who understand their needs and have the resources at hand to help them immediately.”
Veterans received medical screenings including flu shots, cholesterol, Hepatitis C, HIV, prostate and general physical exams. Consultative services offered include ophthalmology, podiatry, infectious diseases, oral health and women’s health. Psycho-social referrals for Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse were also offered.
Employment support was provided through the DC, MD and VA, Department of Labor Employment Offices, VA Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the DC Coalition for the Homeless. Staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) assisted with VA benefits claims. Veterans also enjoyed a generous hot meal, haircuts, comfort kits and plenty of warm clothing.
One of the highlights of this year’s event was a “Lease-up” station supported by the medical center, Housing and Urban Development and the DC Department of Housing. At this station, Veterans with subsidized housing vouchers and those seeking vouchers were screened for immediate placement in available rental units.
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