The 27th annual Ventura County Stand Down will take place July 26, 27, and 28, 2019. It will be held at the California Army National Guard Armory in Ventura.
Stand Down refers to a grass roots, community-based intervention program designed to help the veterans who are homeless “combat” life on the streets. The hand up philosophy of Stand Down is carried out through the work of hundreds of volunteers and organizations who truly demonstrate the American spirit of volunteerism on behalf of veterans who are homeless. They demonstrate that ordinary people can do extraordinary things in assisting veterans become productive citizens of the community. Immediate family members i.e. spouses, children, and significant others are invited to attend with the veteran.
In addition to serving veterans who are homeless, Ventura County Stand Down invites the following individuals to access services on Friday, July 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 27 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Active military
Combat and/or non-combat
Veterans of all ages
Veterans of all military branches
Veterans who are not homeless
Veterans served regardless of where they reside
During the three-day, two-night effort, veterans who are homeless will live on campus in military-style tents erected by the Navy Seabees. Some of the many services veterans will receive during the week end include: medical screenings and evaluations; optometry examinations and prescription lenses; dental screening and dental care; psychological counseling; legal counseling; employment counseling and referrals; VA benefits; general relief information; access to shower facilities, toiletries, new and used clean clothing; hot meals, and a wide range of other government and social services.
In addition, a Superior Court will be held on Friday afternoon, July 26, where veterans will be given an opportunity to adjudicate their pending legal cases before a volunteer judge who, in lieu of fine or jail time, order veterans to participate in community service at the Stand Down site. One of the many success stories of Stand Down are those veterans who were homeless return year after year as volunteers to assist other fellow veterans.
Ventura County Stand Down wants to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is involved in assuring this event is successful.
Claire Hope, Founder & Director for 27 consecutive years, is a 25-year resident of Camarillo whose father was a WWII veteran, husband is a WWII and Korean veteran, and son a Persian Gulf veteran.
Veterans who pre-register at various social service agencies facilitate their entrance into the Stand Down event.
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