Today, today marks a new effort
to help those who are currently
experiencing homelessness at risk
of homelessness or unemployed.
The veterans village of San Diego is
hosting its annual Stand down event.
Yeah, the stand down event really does
offer a lot of different services.
Things you don't realize people need.
CBS 8 Chris Growe live at
Roosevelt Middle School.
What can we expect there today, Chris?
Yeah, more than 600 individuals are
expected to access these resources,
so a lot of people in need
and I want to bring in the CEO
of the Veterans Village here,
Akeela Templeton and Nakila.
Very busy day that we have going on today.
What would you like the people at
home who don't know about stand down?
What would you like them to know about it?
Well, stand up.
First of all, we're really excited
that we brought back the three day event.
After two years, you know with the pandemic
happening this has been a true labor of love.
So stand down is designed to be a three
day life changing and transformative
experience for our homeless veterans
and individuals who are at risk
for becoming homeless, homeless.
So during this three day event,
we provide temporary shelter, support,
access to resources and services.
But it's really about an opportunity to
bring our veterans a sense of community.
There's hope happening.
There are groups happening,
so as much as it is about connecting them to
those critical resources in the Community.
It's also about the humanity, right?
For the individual veteran.
It's about contemplation and self reflection.
You know, for those individuals who
may be struggling with substance use.
Or or mental health challenges,
and so we're hoping that the veterans show
up and that they're open to receiving the
services that we've put together today.
Our real hope.
And all of this is that they
will establish some of those.
Connections to those critical resources in
the community so that they can gradually.
The inner society.
And and I know that it's it's been
two years, but but in the past,
what have been some of the reactions to
something as simple as being treated,
as you said humanely with compassion.
Sometimes that can be the biggest
difference, right? Yeah, that's
the best part. So even though our veterans
can come here and get you know showers
and haircuts and medical services,
they can also do a little karaoke
or take a yoga class, or learn to,
you know, cook a, prepare a meal,
you know with limited resources.
It's just a great opportunity for veterans
to our homeless veterans and at risk
veterans to get a glimpse of what you know.
Life can be like.
And they're you know,
back on their feet. So
and what would you for the veterans
who may be at home or or maybe
family of veterans that are at risk?
As you said that are watching this and
and haven't accessed these resources.
Haven't been stand down.
What would you say to convince
them to come out, you know?
One thing that we see with our our veterans
is that they're they're very proud, right?
But this is a safe place. We are.
There's no judgment here.
We're just eager to wrap our arms
around them. This is community.
We are their community, right?
And so we have.
We're serving veterans who are
homeless who are unsheltered,
but we're also serving those veterans
who are just on the brink, right?
They're they're at risk.
And so if you're struggling with
meeting your rent payments, or, you know.
Getting those needed car repair so
that you can make it to your job.
Chances are there's a program
here that can help you.
We're also providing legal services.
That's a big draw every year.
So if there are,
you know minor infractions that might
be standing between that veteran and
their next opportunity at employment.
We encourage them to come on out,
talk with our legal folks here.
We've got representatives from
from homeless court present today,
and perhaps we can help them out.
Help.
Have to resolve some of those those issues.
Yeah
awesome. Well thank you so much for
joining us this morning and thank you for
all of the work that you were doing here,
especially with so many of these people
who again served our country served us.
So it's really great to see that there's
someone who's looking out for them.
This is the best part of my year.
Just happy to be here.
Thank you so much and guys For
more information. Thank you.
And For more information on the event
again registration happening right now.
We expect resources and things like that.
The services to start at 9:00 AM,
but this will be going on for three days.