Veterans Village to Spend Three Days Helping Homeless

Thousands of volunteers will provide medical care, counseling, food, clothing and other help to San Diego's homeless veterans today during the start of the annual Stand Down.

The three-day event, hosted by Veterans Village of San Diego, is being held at San Diego High School's athletic fields, where more than a dozen military-style tents will be erected to house and help the hundreds of homeless veterans who are expected to participate.

Last year, 947 homeless veterans took part in Stand Down an increase of 19 over the year before, according to Darcy Pavich, who coordinates the event. She expects more participants this year, and about 20 to 30 were in line by Thursday afternoon.

About 3,500 volunteers will provide shelter, food, clothing, showers, haircuts, medical and dental services, legal assistance, mental health and substance abuse counseling as well as job placement.

Pavich said more services will be provided than in any previous year.

This is the 24th year VVSD has organized the Stand Down even for homeless veterans in San Diego. The undertaking is a model of hundreds of other Stand Down events now held nationally.

By City News Service.