Press release via ABCCM
ABCCM Veterans Services of the Carolinas is hosting a Veteran Stand Down event for Buncombe County and nearby areas on Friday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to veterans of all ages, this event will link at-risk and homeless veterans and their families together with community providers and resources at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue in Asheville.
“ABCCM is honored to be the chief sponsor and fiscal conduit for funding the Veterans Stand Down events since 2003,” says ABCCM executive director Scott Rogers. “As a leader in outreach to homeless veterans, we want everyone to know, especially veterans, that there are pathways of support to help them achieve their goals. Stand Down events are just one way that the entire community comes together to let every homeless veteran know that they are welcome in our community, with a full range of resources and supportive services for them to have a safe, stable home of their own, with a productive living wage job and access to VA Benefits. Welcome home, veterans!”
The Stand Down event will connect veterans to essential resources, including:
- Health screenings
- Housing assistance
- Mental health services
- Employment assistance
- Veterans’ benefits counseling
- Clothing
- Breakfast and lunch
- Gear distribution
- Haircuts, and more
Proof of veteran status is required to participate in the event, such as DD-214, a veteran ID card, or VA verification at the site. This event is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and NC Works.
Through Veterans Services of the Carolinas (VSC), ABCCM serves veterans across 74 counties, offering Veterans Employment and Training Services (VETS) where 450 are trained and 80% are placed into living wage career level jobs.
VSC Services include:
Outreach to homeless Veterans through Healing Outreach Partnership for Empowerment (HOPE)
Rapid Rehousing and homeless prevention through Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Employment and training support through Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)
Service Coordination through NCServesServing veterans with hope, healing, honor and a home, VSC prevents homelessness for about 270 families a year. The Veterans HOPE program outreaches to connect with the chronically homeless. The Veterans Call Center responds to over 800 crisis calls a month, bringing resolution to most cases within 4-6 days.
Volunteers are needed for this event. If you would like to serve as a volunteer, please call 855-962-8387, or send an email to vsc@abccm.org.
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