HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06222010 - C.106RECOMMENDATION(S):
Support the East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans to be held August 5 through 8,
2010 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California, as recommended by the
Family and Human Services Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The EBSD is an extraordinary event supported by over one thousand dedicated volunteers.
Homeless veterans and their families from the San Francisco Bay Area have an opportunity
to receive invaluable and diverse services and care in a safe, secure environment. The goal
is to assist homeless veterans to end the cycle of homelessness by bringing into one location
transitional housing opportunity, medical/dental care, legal services, benefits counseling,
food, clothing, entertainment and many other services. Most important, our participants
receive this care in a respectful manner and we let them know they are not forgotten.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/22/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
ABSENT:Susan A. Bonilla, District IV
Supervisor
Contact: Dorothy Sansoe,
925-335-1009
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 22, 2010
David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C.106
To:Board of Supervisors
From:Family and Human Services Committee
Date:June 22, 2010
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
ATTACHMENTS
Stand Down Flyer
EBSD EAST BAY STAND DOWN It is estimated that there are over 180,000 needy and homeless Veterans throughout “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation” George Washington EBSD EAST BAY STAND DOWN AUGUST 5, 6, 7, 8, 2010 ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUND PLEASANTON, CA WWW.EASTBAYSTANDDOWN.ORG HELPING DISPLACED, HOMELESS AND NEEDY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. Executive Chair: Denver Mills (925) 680 4526 Director: Jerry Yahiro (925) 743 8850 Assistant Director of Programs: Don Rinker (510) 637 6280 Assistant Director of Logistics: Mike Weber (925) 648 5346 And a cast of hundreds
the Nation on any given night. Within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, the VA estimates that there are over 6,000 homeless Veterans. In the Northern California area, there may be as many as 10,000 or more. A significant number of these Veterans have had little or no contact with the VA for either monetary or medical benefits. Nor have they had much contact with other agencies offering assistance. Aiding or helping to improve their situations, especially for combat Veterans, is a difficult process, but one which cannot be ignored. Stand Down is a term used during war to describe the practice of removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their basic needs in a safer area. The East Bay Stand Down (EBSD) brings needy and homeless Veterans into a safe, if only temporary, encampment for the same purpose. Since the first Stand Down held in San Diego in 1988, Stand Downs have taken place in over 200 cities nationwide. Over 100,000 Veterans and their families have benefited from Stand Downs. These events have proved to be very effective in helping to break the cycle of homelessness among Veterans and their families. EBSD has been sponsored by a broad base of community agencies led by the VA’s Concord Vet Center, The Rotary Clubs in the East Bay Counties, the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley and the Ladies Auxiliary & VFW Post 6435 of Antioch, CA. Corporate Sponsors have included, AT&T, Peet’s Coffee, Lawrence Livermore Labs, and many others. Significant support is received from the different branches of the U.S. Military led by the U.S. Army Reserves Medical Brigade. During EBSD, a “tent city” is erected to house as many as 500 Veterans, men and women, and their families. In total, approximately 1200 to 1500 volunteers participate throughout the planning and conducting of the event. The U.S. Army, Air Force Navy Reserves have provided special funding for military support since 2002. Other funding is primarily through monetary and in-kind donations. All monetary donations are applied to the needs of the Veterans. No donated money is used for salaries. All donations are tax deductible. Veteran participants are screened prior to admission to the event, to ensure Veteran status and eligibility. The participants are bussed in from various points throughout the Bay Area and transported to the event site. Upon arrival at the “tent city” the Veterans receive food, clothing, shelter, showers, haircuts and other basic necessities. VA and Military Health Care providers work side by side to assist with physical, dental and mental health needs. Counselors are available to address substance abuse issues, employment options, benefits and spiritual concerns. Service providers are literally at the Veteran’s doorstep. Typically, a homeless person must spend inordinate amounts of time and energy going from one service agency to another. Often, duplicate efforts cause frustration and alienation from the very agencies and processes designed to help them. Fearing arrest, or a fine, a Veteran may not attempt to seek help of any type because of minor civil offenses. A Stand Down Court is set up to adjudicate these issues, with Superior Court judges from several participating counties. These magistrates help overcome many of these obstacles. The DMV is there to help get CA IDs and driver’s licenses back on the spot. The objectives of the EBSD are to place 20% of the eligible participants directly into residential programs. We provide employment opportunities that can lead to direct employment. Other connections with a large number of community agencies help with stabilization of the participants’ lives and offer an avenue to breakthrough and escape the cycle of homelessness. EBSD began in 1999 at Camp Parks in Dublin, CA. Since that time we have had over 2500 participants in the events. EBSD 2010 will be in August. We will be holding the event at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA. “Needs lists” and volunteer applications are available at the website. For more detailed information contact those names listed below or go directly to our website. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT If you would like to make a donation, go to: WWW.EASTBAYSTANDDOWN.ORG or you can send a check payable to: DIABLO VALLEY VETERANS FOUNDATION/EBSD PO BOX 2196 - DANVILLE, CA 94526