City of Bloomington Promotes South Central Indiana VA Stand Down

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 2, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Kathy Mayer, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, 349.3467, [mailto:mayerk@bloomington.in.gov]


City of Bloomington Promotes South Central Indiana VA Stand Down

Bloomington, Ind. - The second annual South Central Indiana VA Stand Down, which provides a variety of social services to homeless or near-homeless veterans, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 11 at American Legion Post 18, 1800 W. Third St.

The South Central Indiana VA Stand Down is a one-day opportunity for veterans seeking assistance to talk directly to community and governmental organizations. Provided goods and services will include food, clothing, health screenings, flu shots, haircuts, bus tickets, VA and Social Security benefits counseling and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as employment training and substance abuse treatment. Veteran Stand Downs are nationwide, collaborative events coordinated among local VAs and government and community agencies that serve the homeless.

The event is open to all veterans who can provide proof of their veteran status. Acceptable forms of identification are DD Form 214 or Veterans Identification Card (VIC). Lunch also will be provided. Free Shuttle service to and from the Shalom Community Center, 620 S. Walnut St., will be provided at 15 minute intervals.

The mission of the VA Stand Down is to help homeless and near-homeless veterans regain a sense of stability in their lives. Veterans often find themselves faced with the struggle of getting reacquainted with a regular, stable lifestyle once they reenter society. Residents of the City of Bloomington and Monroe County have a strong history of supporting men and women in uniform, and the hope is that the community's struggling veterans will take advantage of all the services, donations and counseling offered at this year's event.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department, the Monroe County Red Cross, The American Legion Post 18 and Ivy Tech Community College. For more information contact Maryjane McNabb at (317) 496.9193 or find the event on [Facebook|www.facebook.com/pages/South-Central-Indiana-VA-Stand-Down/
226609777465178?ref=ts].


Participating organizations include:

Back Street Mission, Inc.
Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation
Brown County Veterans' Services Office
Dr. Robin Roberts DDS
Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Genesis Church
Indiana Veterans Behavioral Health Network
Indiana Legal Services
Indiana National Guard Transition Assistance Advisor Program
Indiana University School of Optometry
Indianapolis Vet Center
Attorney Jacob Atz of Hartman Law P.C.
Lydia Prescott Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century
Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center
Office of Congressman Todd Young
IU Health Positive Link
Pure Style Hair Salon
Richard L. Roudebush VAMC Community Rehabilitation Section
Shalom Community Center
Social Security Administration
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Salvation Army
Bloomington VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Vet to Vet Indiana
Owen County Veteran Service Office
Work One South Central Indiana Office

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