By Kendall S. Cable
Contributing
Writer
Albany,
OR… United
States Navy Veteran Kevin Rose, 68, and his wife of Halsey were living out of a
car in 2015. The veteran, who served in Vietnam as a gunner’s mate, set his
sights on finding a way out of their situation. Rose contacted Community
Services Consortium (CSC), where he not only was assisted with housing, but
also learned about the area’s Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event.
Stand
Down for Homeless Veterans is a nationwide movement locally coordinated by CSC
in which businesses, agencies, and community partners offer services and items
to homeless and low-income veterans. However, all veterans are encouraged to
participate. This year, the third annual event will be held September 21 from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, in
Albany. This is a change of venue from Lebanon in years past.
“We
decided to move to Albany to be closer to I-5, also Benton County,” said Dina
Eldridge, CSC Housing Services Manager. “We just think most of the VA (Veterans
Administration) providers are based in Albany. We just hope we get a bigger
turnout since it is easier to find.”
Last
year 93 veterans, including Rose, attended the event where 56 agencies and
organizations offered a hand up such as: mental health and addiction counseling;
employment; VA health insurance opportunities; dental van; Samaritan Health
Service health screenings; clothing; hygiene products; housing through CSC;
camping gear from the Department of Defense; IDs with Legal Aid assistance;
free food; benefit assistance from Social Security; and more, according to
Eldridge.
“I
have never seen such a turnout for veterans my whole life. It was awesome last
year,” said Rose. “I never, ever heard of anything like this.” Rose
received clothes sleeping bags, cots, sunglasses, and a haircut. “Stand Down is
one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. It was the first haircut I had in
years.”
Around
the same time, Rose and his wife also moved into a rental home with CSC’s
assistance. He said he is thankful for the help he received from CSC Supportive
Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)Case Manager Connie Barkdull, Eligibility
Clerk Scott McKee, and Department of Labor Disabled Veterans Outreach
Representative Stephen Hickson.
Additionally,
Rose said the event served as a place for veterans to meet other veterans. He
feels this is very important, especially to younger veterans.
“They
should go, if not for anything else, to talk to one another,” Rose encouraged.
“There are a lot of vets that still need help. I’d like to see them get it.”
This
year’s event is in the planning stages. Sponsorships and cash donations from
local businesses and groups who want to help veterans are sought. Food,
services, and haircuts are just a few areas of need. Eldridge explained the
United States Department of Labor provides limited funding, but the money is
specifically earmarked and does not cover such services as the dental van.
Transportation for veterans to and from the event is also being coordinated.
Interested
businesses and agencies can contact CSC Case Manager Connie Barkdull at
541-928-6335 x 312 or cbarkdull@communityservices.us
for more information. Landlords interested in renting to veterans can
contact Eldridge at 541-928-6335 x 324 or deldridge@communityservices.us.
Homeless veterans in need of housing contact McKee at 541-704-7638, smckee@communityservices.us, or ssvf@communityservices.us. CSC is a
community action agency for Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties.
*****************
Photo
Credit:
Photo by Community Services Consortium Staff
Stand
Down for Homeless Veterans in Lebanon was attended by 93 veterans in 2016.
Homeless and low-income veterans are encouraged to attend this year in Albany.
