TOGUS — Veterans from around Maine are expected to converge on the Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center today to take what officials hope is the first step toward finding homes.
Homeless veterans are invited to Togus to receive services that could help them leave the streets for good, during the 13th annual Maine Homeless Veterans Stand-Down, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of Building 206.
“There are just a lot of different things available,” said Togus spokesman James Doherty.
“We strongly recommend they take advantage of all of them. We’re trying to give them a hand up.”
The Stand-Down is based on a military term meaning a stop in action. The term was used to signal a time when soldiers could stop fighting and relax.
The first Homeless Stand-Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego, according to information provided by Togus officials. Stand-downs now are held across the country.
Organizers of the event at Togus are arranging rides to the medical center from nine spots around the state. Veterans arriving at Togus will be assigned squad leaders — volunteers who will help lead them to various stations.
After a needs assessment by counselors, homeless veterans will be offered services including health, dental and vision screenings; Veterans Affairs, Social Security and food stamp benefits counseling; vocational assistance; and employment counseling.
They may also receive referrals to a variety of VA services, including follow-up medical care, mental health and addiction services, VA-supported housing and applications for Section 8 subsidized housing.
The veterans, who also will be provided meals, haircuts, showers and massages, will be given duffle bags stuffed with new winter clothing, socks, underwear and small bags with personal hygiene items.
About 60 veterans are expected to attend; organizers are prepared for as many as 75, Doherty said.
Organizers sent fliers announcing the event to shelters, soup kitchens and town offices across the state. Veterans service organizations also helped to spread the word, Doherty said.
Togus will be the host, but the event is organized by community service agencies and businesses that volunteer their time and donate items.
“This is not a VA event,” Doherty said. “There’s a wide range of people and organizations that are participating. It’s a team effort.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.