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VOL. 3/ISSUE 33
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
More than 50 homeless vets helped at event Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
All kinds of help was on offer to homeless veterans June 11 at a Veterans Assistance event, also known as Stand Down, held at the Port St. Lucie Community Center jointly attended by representatives of Martin and St. Lucie counties. Attendees enjoyed a hot meal courtesy of Sarah’s Kitchen of the Treasure Coast, which serves meals to needy children and seniors, as well as veterans. A large contingent of volunteers organized by the Knights of Columbus, Port St. Lucie, provided basic supplies to homeless veterans like toiletries, towels, blankets and socks, among other items. The Knights conduct fundraisers throughout the year to collect enough to purchase thousands of items to help veterans. More than 50 veterans were aided, with as many as 80 predicted by the end of the afternoon, said Tony Reese, Martin County veterans’ services officer. The VA was well represented, offering a variety of programs, such as its Grant and Per-Diem Transitional Housing program, Housing and Urban Development Supportive Housing Program and Vocational Rehabilitation Service-Supported Employment program, among others. For example, the VA’s Contract Residential Program sends funds to community organizations to develop and provide housing and support services to homeless veterans. Those with serious mental health or substance abuse disorders can be placed in community-based programs. The House-A-Vet Project was represented by Kevin Donahue and Larry McPhillips, which recently
See STAND DOWN page 2
Photo courtesy of Tony Reese Volunteers assist homeless veterans to get basic necessary supplies at the Veterans Assistance event June 11 at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. Supplies given to homeless veterans June 11 at the Veterans Assistance event include toiletries, towels and blankets, among other items..
Photo courtesy of Tony Reese