“Make the Call” Events Scheduled for 28 Communities Across the Nation
|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2011)- As part of its drive to end homelessness among Veterans by 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a nation-wide outreach initiative, “Make the Call,” to spread the message about its special programs to help homeless Veterans and their families to 28 communities across the nation in October.
“Those who have served this nation as Veterans should never find
themselves on the streets, living without care and without hope,” said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
Shinseki noted that 28 communities – from Atlanta to Hawaii – will host
special programs this fall highlighting local services for homeless
Veterans, their families and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“Working with our partners in state and local government, the non-profit
and the private sectors, we can restore our homeless Veterans and their
families to the lives of dignity they’ve earned,” Shinseki added.
This fiscal year, VA expects to spend $3.4 billion to provide health
care to homeless Veterans and $800 million in specialized homeless
programs. The latest studies say more than 75,000 Veterans are homeless
on a typical night, and about 135,000 spend at least one night a year in
a homeless shelter.
VA is encouraging family, friends and citizens in the community to “Make
the Call” and help prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. Since
March 2010, VA has offered a toll-free telephone number, staffed around
the clock by trained professionals, to help homeless Veterans, their
families and at-risk people. The number is 877-4AID-VET (or
877-424-3838).
Recently, VA has transformed its efforts in the fight against
homelessness. It is changing from a program focus upon temporary,
shelter-based services, to prevention, employment, permanent housing,
and help to families and Veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
The special awareness and outreach programs in the 28 selected
communities are in:
* Alaska – Anchorage, Oct. 12
* Arizona – Phoenix, Oct. 18-19
* California – San Francisco, Oct. 19; Los Angeles and San
Diego, Oct. 12
* Colorado – Denver, Oct. 14
* District of Columbia – Oct. 14
* Florida – Miami, Oct. 21
* Georgia – Atlanta, Oct. 29
* Hawaii – Kauai, Oct. 14; Oahu, Oct. 17
* Illinois – Chicago, Oct. 12
* Louisiana – New Orleans, Oct. 22
* Massachusetts -Boston, Oct. 20
* Michigan – Detroit, Oct. 12
* Missouri – St. Louis, Oct. 17
* Montana — Billings, Oct. 11
* Nevada – Las Vegas, Oct. 6
* New York – Canandaigua, Oct. 12; New York Harbor, Oct. 21
* North Carolina – Fayetteville, Oct. 12
* Ohio – Cleveland, Oct. 12
* Pennsylvania – Lebanon, Oct. 12
* South Dakota – Sioux Falls, Oct. 12
* Tennessee – Memphis, Oct. 11
* Texas – Houston, Oct. 20; Dallas, Oct. 18
* Washington – Seattle, Oct. 12
More information about VA’s programs for homeless Veterans, at-risk
Veterans and their families is available at www.va.gov/homeless.
# # #
Subscribe to our FREE Ezine and receive current Health News, be eligible for discounted products/services and coupons related to your Health. We publish 24/7.
www.HealthNewsDigest.com
For advertising/promotion, email: [email protected] Or call toll free: 877- 634-9180