Third Annual “Heroes In The Shadows” San Gabriel Valley Homeless Veterans Stand Down

COMMERCE, Calif. - March 27, 2014 - PRLog -- For the third year, The San Gabriel Valley Veterans Employment Committee (SGV|VEC) with the leadership of Vet Hunters Project, will present its Annual “Heroes in the Shadows” San Gabriel Valley Homeless Stand Down.

Attendees may pre-register online as well as at several partner locations throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Walk-up registration opens on Friday, April 4 at 8:00AM and continues until noon on Sunday. On-site dental, medical, vision, legal & counseling services will be available as well as accommodations for (sleeping quarters, showers, laundry facilities, food, entertainment, personal grooming/wellness), as well as transportation to and from the site.

This year’s opening ceremony takes place on Friday, April 4 at 10:00am and features US Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano CA-32nd District and City of El Monte Councilman Juventino “J” Gomez as the keynote speakers. Numerous dignitaries representing the State of California, Los Angeles County and various other Federal Agencies, will also be in attendance. The general public is welcome to attend the Opening Ceremony or visit the Stand Down to volunteer.

Unique in its ability to not turn anyone away based on criteria such as area of residence, gender, and Veteran Status, the 2012 Stand Down attracted close to 400 residents including Veterans, Active/Reserve/Guard Service Members, and civilians ranging from 19 to 82 years old. Unlike other similar Stand Down events throughout Southern California that rely on government grants to fund their operations (which could limit the types of services and populations served); “Heroes In The Shadows” is made possible through personal and organizational donations and sponsorships.

Working to combat Veteran Homelessness by utilizing this “No Red Tape” method, with little to no government grants, is a long list of valued partners. In addition to Congresswoman Napolitano and Councilman Gomez, key partners include the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Whittier Narrows Recreational Area, Vet Hunters Project, State of California Employment Development Department, US Army Reserve 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the many community partners that operate in the San Gabriel Valley as well as Southern California. A complete list of sponsors, partners and donors may be found at www.sgvvec.org.

Note:

According to the 2013 Homeless Count conducted by LAHSA, Los Angeles County alone has over 57,000 Homeless Individuals, which was a 15% increase since 2011. Of that over 8,000 (14%) were identifies as Homeless Veterans, the largest in the Country. In the San Gabriel Valley, there are an estimated 4,444 Homeless Individuals and 12% identified as Veterans. One of the subpopulations amongst Veterans that we are seeing a sharp rise in is of recently released Veterans.

About San Gabriel Valley Veterans Employment Committee (SGV|VEC):

The San Gabriel Valley Veterans Employment Committee (www.sgvvec.org) is an all-volunteer organization that works in partnership with various federal and state agencies, employers, training institutions and nonprofit organizations. Its purpose is to serve as an employment-focused “network” for Veterans, their Spouses and Children, as well as to organize events geared toward connecting Veteran jobseekers to employment opportunities and social support service providers.

More information about the San Gabriel Valley Homeless Veteran Stand Down can be found at standdown.sgvvec.org, donations are still being accepted and can be given online at bit.ly/SGVSD-Donation