10th ANNUAL STAND DOWN FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

Vets Can Get Help to Overcome Homelessness and Combat Unemployment

Colorado Springs, CO -- The Pikes Peak Workforce Center and the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition today announce that the 10th Annual Stand Down will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

The purpose of the Stand Down is to enable veterans to return to society as contributing members by providing the resources needed to overcome homelessness and unemployment. The Stand Down is a community-based intervention program designed to help homeless veterans whose battlefront is now a life on the streets.

It is estimated that there are about 115 veterans living on the streets in the Colorado Springs area. At the Stand Down, homeless veterans will be offered a hot shower and meal, clothing (winter coat, work boots, jeans, and underwear), hair cuts, oral cancer screening and flu shots, and may meet with representatives from several veteran service organizations:

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

El Paso County Office of Veteran Military Affairs

El Paso County Department of Human Services

Pikes Peak Workforce Center

VA Clinic of Colorado Springs

VA Regional Office

Colorado Springs Veterans Center

Social Security Administration

Various Veteran Service Organizations

Transportation to the City Auditorium will be provided from the Marian House, Salvation Army Shelter, and VA Out Patient Clinic. Vets who are able should pre-register with Coreee at the VA Clinic, 25 N. Spruce Street in Colorado Springs, phone 667-5586.

Anyone wishing to financially support this effort should send a check to the El Paso County Homeless Veterans Coalition, P.O. Box 1841, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1841. For questions, contact Patricia Frank at 667-3703 or frank.p@ppwfc.org.