CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The first Mendocino and Lake County Stand Down/Homeless Veteran’s Resource Fair will be held in Clearlake on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and Thursday, Sept. 11.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the American Legion Hall at 14770 Austin Road.
The term “stand down” in times of war meant that exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety.
Today, “stand down” refers to a community-based intervention program designed to help veterans, active duty service members, reserve and guard service members and their families. The concept is all about Americans helping Americans.
Veterans, active duty personnel and their families are encouraged to come out to the two-day event to learn about the benefits that are readily available to them.
These resources will be gathered all in one place to provide services on site, education and enrollment in programs that will meet the short and/or long-term needs of the entire family.
Many veterans are unable to access the services they required because the agencies are spread out over a wide geographic area. This is especially frustrating for disabled or homeless veterans, exerting undue time and energy going from one agency to another.
In assisting veterans who are homeless, sometimes it takes just one small service for them to break out of the cycle of homelessness, such as needing a photo ID card, a bus token or a pair of shoes to start a new job.
The Mendocino-Lake County Stand Down will offer access to a wide range of services. These services include on-site medical and dental attention, as well as, on-site enrollment in health care and supplemental nutrition programs.
Employment and educational counseling and benefits, legal services and mental health counseling will also be available. Homeless and at-risk services include clothing, food boxes and housing assistance. Lunch also will be served.
Volunteers are needed prior to, during and after the event and donations are welcome. Any amount of time would be greatly appreciated.
If interested, please contact the Lake County Veterans Service Office at 707-263-2384, or the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency Veterans Service Office at 707-463-4226 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .