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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06242014 - C.100RECOMMENDATION(S): ACCEPT report on the planning and preparations for the bi-annual East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans as recommended by the Family and Human Services Committee. FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact. Informational only. BACKGROUND: The report is an update of plans and preparations for the bi-annual East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. The report was heard by the Family and Human Service Committee on June 9, 2014. The Committee recommended sending the attached report and flyer to the Board of Supervisors for information. CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION: Up to date information will not be shared with the Board of Supervisors and the public. CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT: Not applicable. APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 06/24/2014 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes: VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYES 5 NOES ____ ABSENT ____ ABSTAIN ____ RECUSE ____ 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 24, 2014 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: Stephanie L. Mello, Deputy cc: C.100 To:Board of Supervisors From:FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Date:June 24, 2014 Contra Costa County Subject:Report on Bi-annual East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans ATTACHMENTS Stand down report Stand down flyer June 9, 2014 Supervisor Federal D. Glover, Chair Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair Family and Human Services Committee East Bay Stand Down for Homeless Veterans Background: The EBSD is an extraordinary event serving 450 homeless Veterans and their families from the San Francisco Bay Area. They 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. This event is supported by over 1,000 dedicated community and military volunteers. Recommendation: The Board of Supervisors endorses and supports the East Bay Stand Down (EBSD) to be held September 11 through 14, 2014 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA. (EBSD 2012 brochure attached) As a volunteer and member of the Executive Board for EBSD, I am pleased to present the opportunity to discuss an event that has a strong positive effect on our community. Maj. General, USA (Ret.) Ron Lowe, Board Chairman, is with us today and would like to make a few comments. Thank you for your support on this worthy endeavor! Nathan D. Johnson County Veterans Service Officer Alameda County Fairgrounds Sept. 11—14, 2014 HELPING DISPLACED, HOMELESS AND NEEDY VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. “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 EAST BAY STAND DOWN Executive Chair: Ron Lowe (925) 362-0142 Director: Jerry Yahiro (925) 743-8850 www.eastbaystanddown.org Donations—go to: www.eastbaystanddown.org or write a check payable to: DIABLO VALLEY VETERANS FOUNDATION-EBSD PO BOX 2133 DANVILLE, CA 94526 The Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non- profit corporation, IRS identification number 26-3198472 A community is often judged by how well it takes care of its own. Serving those who have served our Nation is the primary goal of the East Bay Stand Down (EBSD). EBSD is a consortium of community organizations coming together to pro- vide a four-day event every other year that bring together the nine-county homeless and at-risk military Veterans in the Bay Area, connecting them with services ranging from: VA HealthCare, Dental, Mental Health Services, Clothing, Meals, Emergency Shelter, Transitional and Permanent Housing, ID/ Drivers License's, Court Services and Legal Aide, Showers and Haircuts and myriad other services and resources. EBSD is currently held at Alameda County Fairground in Pleasanton, serving no more than 500 Veterans. While its primary goal is helping homeless Veterans access the resources needed, including housing, to regain their highest level of independence; its secondary goal is to bring our communi- ty and service providers together in a collaborative format that can build relationships throughout the year that positively benefit homeless Veterans. Ultimately, it is our hope that such events can bring forth the awareness, political/ community will and consistent data necessary to assert the on -going resources it will take to end Veteran homelessness once and for all. Serving those who have served our Nation is the primary goal of the EBSD. We treat the Veteran participants with respect and dignity. Their former service to our nation is evidence of their ability to succeed and is also reason enough for our community to support them in regaining success. Nationally, it is estimated that there are over 250,000 needy and homeless Veterans on the streets on any given night. Within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that there are over 7,000 needy or homeless Veterans. In the Northern California area, estimates are as high as 15,000 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 any other agency offering assistance. Aiding or helping to improve their situations, especially for combat Veterans, is a difficult process, but one, which cannot be ignored. Since the first Stand Down was held in San Diego, in 1988, Stand Downs have taken place in over 200 cities nation- wide. Over 100,000 Veterans and their families have benefited from Stand Downs. These events have proved to be very effective in breaking the cycle of homelessness among Veterans and their families. Since the first EBSD in 1999, our goals have been to provide a respite from the streets so that needy and homeless Veterans can examine avenues of assistance. We help to place the participants into residential programs, offer employment, and to provide follow-up programs of various types. During recent EBSDs, we have "bumped it up a notch" by providing more services and higher quality services. We offer all new clothing, boots and other basic needs. Through the support of local dentists we offer quality oral health care, as well as follow up care after the event. EBSD will be funded primarily through monetary and in-kind donations. All monetary donations will be applied to the needs of the Veterans. No donated money will be used for salaries. All donations are tax deductible. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!