In recognition of National Homelessness Awareness Month (November), the HOME Coalition regional homeless services coordinating body hosted Operation Stand Down health care and services fair. Offered in part with funding from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs and in partnership with Overton Brooks VA Medical Center of Shreveport, this event was Nov. 4, 2011, at the Church of Christ of Jackson Street for anyone who is homeless (individuals, families, adults and children, Veterans and non-Veterans).  

Services provided at no charge included:
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

Timeline of Events:
8:00 – 9:00 am Canteen provides breakfast to homeless
9:00 am Welcome by Lawana Brown, The Wellspring
9:05 am Prayer by Vincent Butcher, The Wellspring
9:07 am Pledge of Allegiance, Presenting of Colors, Obie Sims
9:10 am Remarks by Mayor Jamie Mayo
9:20 am Doors Open, Intakes begin
11:15 am Lunch is served to those participating in event
2:00 pm Event Ends

Volunteers handed out donations of food, books, and toiletry items during the event and escorted participants if needed to help them access all the available services.

Organizations that serve the homeless in Northeast Louisiana offered booths providing their services or applications to event participants. These included Volunteers of America, Out 4 Life, The Wellspring, Families Helping Families, Homeplace (LA Baptist Children's Home), Primary Health Services Center, the VA, Our House for Teens, Bridges of Ouachita, Salvation Army, a number of ULM programs includng the School of Nuring, Alpha Kappai Alpha, and many, many more. 

For more information about this or next year's event, call (318) 807-6200.