Operation Stand Down Resource Fair for Homeless Scheduled for Nov. 2 - it's 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Church of Christ Jackson Street, 1103 Jackson Street, Monroe. This is our third year to do the event, which includes a special focus on homeless veterans.
WHO'S PUTTING IT ON: HOME Coalition, the regional coordinating body for homeless services, in partnership with Overton Brooks VA Medical Center of Shreveport
WHO SHOULD GO: Persons or families who are, or immediately at risk of becoming, homeless - whether Veterans, nonVeterans, individuals or families
WHAT WE'LL BE DOING THERE: Homeless persons will be provided food, clothing, health screenings, free haircuts, and much more, with opportunities to get signed up for employment assistance, housing programs, and other services they may be eligible for. There's no charge for any services there.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
7:30 – 9:00 am Canteen provides breakfast to homeless
9:00 am Welcome by Lawana Brown, HOME Coalition
9:05 am Prayer by Chaplain Gary Littleton, Disabled American Veterans, NE LA Veteran Association
9:07 am Pledge of Allegiance, Presenting of Colors, Ouachita Parish High School ROTC
9:10 am Remarks by Mayor Jamie Mayo
9:20 am Doors Open, Intakes begin
10:30 am Lunch is served to those participating in event
2:00 pm Event Ends
WHY THE FOCUS ON VETERANS: Nationally, veterans make up about one-third of the adult homeless population, according to the U.S. Veterans Administration. Identifying and serving homeless veterans is one of the HOME Coalition as it is at The Wellspring who has lots of services for homeless Veterans and families
WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES CAN SOMEONE SIGN UP FOR?
Free breakfast and lunch
Health care
Help applying for public benefits
Help from representatives from the VA
Employment assistance
Educational assistance
Free food pantry
Free clothing vouchers
Free hair cuts
Toiletry items
And more
Here are some of the agencies participating in Operation Stand Down:
Advantage Resourcing
American Red Cross – Northeast Louisiana Chapter
Celebrate Recovery at WFR Church
DHH/Office of Public Health
Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART)
Easter Seals Louisiana
Families Helping Families
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
Go Care
Goodwill Industries
Grambling State University School of Nursing
Grambling State University Social Work Program
Habitat for Humanity of Ouachita
LaCare
LaChip
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home
Louisiana Delta Community College W. Monroe Barber School
Louisiana Workforce Commission/Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Monroe Area Guidance Center
Ouachita Parish School Board – Bridges of Ouachita
Our House, Inc.
Out 4 Life Coalition
Overton Brooks VA Homeless Program
Overton Brooks VA Minority Veterans Program
Overton Brooks VA Recovery Program
Primary Health Services
Rays of Sonshine
Region VIII Office of Behavioral Health
Salvation Army
Shreveport Vet Center
The Extra Mile
The Wellspring
ULM School of Dental Hygiene
ULM School of Nursing
United Way of NELA 2-1-1
Volunteers of America
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and our wonderful sponsors:
B & B Commercial Waste, Inc.
Berry Plastics
Brookshire’s
Christian Community Ministries
Church of Christ Jackson Street
Community Coffee
Coca Cola
Haik & Humble Eye Center
Holsum Bread – Monroe
I Dream Cake
Jackson Parish Hospital
K & D Catering – West Monroe
Ken’s Coffee Service
Louisiana National Guard
McDonald’s
MMO Behavioral Health Systems
Montgomery Poultry and Eggs
Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home
Ouachita Region VIII Public Health
Sam’s Wholesale
Sassy Kats
Tummy Yummy Creations
Wal-Mart Vision
Wal-Mart of West Monroe
Wendy’s
West Monroe High Basketball Team
Volunteers are needed to help hand out donations of food, books, and toiletry items during the event and escort participants if needed to help them access all the available services.
Organizations that serve the homeless in Northeast Louisiana are invited to host booths providing their services or applications to event participants.
For more information about this or next year's event, call (318) 807-6200.