DC VA Medical Center’s Winterhaven Stand Down Provides Health Care, Benefits Assistance, & Community Resources to 369 Unsheltered and At-Risk Veterans

The annual Winterhaven outreach event brought together VA health and benefits services, Veterans Service Organizations, and community partners to provide resources to unsheltered and at-risk Veterans in the District of Columbia and areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia.

The day-long comprehensive stand down event connected 369 Veterans to VA health care and services, offering immunizations and preventative care screenings as well as housing and unemployment counseling; VA benefits, whereby 53 Veterans received one-on-one claims and education benefits assistance; and community resources to include, legal aid, free tax preparation, substance abuse and rehabilitative programs, mental health, and psychosocial services. The event’s theme, “Partnering to End and Prevent Homelessness, One Veteran at a Time”, easily translates the VA’s mission to care for the men and women who have born the battle. 

According to interim Medical Center Director Vamsee Potluri, “Housing is part of healthcare. The Department of Veterans Affairs stands unwavering in our commitment to ensuring Veterans have housing and supportive services. Every Veteran deserves a safe place to call home.”

The Winterhaven stand down is designed to provide immediate assistance to unsheltered Veterans. Through partnerships with 27 community sponsors and 12 donors, along with resource support from local, state and federal government agencies, Veterans, and their family members received individualized assistance to avert or end their housing challenges. Having the support of donors and community partners afforded Veterans the opportunity to receive backpacks filled with personal care items as well as 299 pairs of new shoes and boots and 317 warm coats. Many Veterans received haircuts and connected with VA Vet Centers, offering family support for combat Veterans, and the DC VA Medical Center’s Women’s Health team providing gender-specific care and screening mammograms for female Veterans.

Director Potluri adds, “The DC VA Medical Center’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans Team will continue outreach and support efforts through the VA Community Resource and Referral Center, located at 1500 Franklin Street, NE. The goal is to have no Veteran left without shelter, healthcare, or resources.”

According to Navy Veteran S. Jones, “I reached out to the CRRC after hearing about the event on television, and I was able to register with the VA and get assistance at the stand down.” He adds, I was picked up by the VA shuttle. “I remember seeing rows of tents that had people waiting to help me and the other Veterans in line. Everything I needed was at the hospital event, and I left feeling hopeful and thankful at the same time.” Veteran S. Jones continued explaining that he was not aware that VA had so many services, including grief support groups hosted by Chaplain Service.

As a result of the stand down, Navy Veteran Jones and other Veterans in transition or at-risk were able to receive care from VA nurses and health providers and meet with VBA claims representatives, complete the PACT Act toxic exposure screening, work one-on-one with VA social workers, and speak with representatives from VA Vet Centers, The American Legion, District of Columbia, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The DC VA Medical Center Team appreciates the support of our donors, sponsors and volunteers. Without their continued commitment to joining us in caring for Veterans, we would not have been able to offer an impactful one-stop resource event.

• Unsheltered Veterans in the District of Columbia and commuting areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia may connect with the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans team by calling 202-745-3012.
• Veterans and community members interested in becoming a VA volunteer or making a donation to Veterans’ health initiatives at the local facility, please contact the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at 202-745-8320.