The Health Care for Homeless Veterans program is excited about the opportunities we have to work with our community partners and provide services for our Veterans.

The CHALENG (Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups) meeting gives us an opportunity to get feedback from our community partners regarding the services we provide. It also allows us to identify the needs of our Veterans.

Please join us for presentations, discussions and networking

Tuesday, June 29, 2009 from 8:30-10:30 at The Orlando VA Medical Center, 5201 Raymond Street, Auditorium A

Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP by June 21. To RSVP or for more information please contact: Trish Lysaght, Program Support, Patricia.lysaght {at} va(.)gov or (321) 397-6613

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) has founded a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. The hotline is intended to assist homeless Veterans and their families, VA Medical Centers, federal, state and local partners, community agencies, service providers and others in the community. To be connected with a trained VA staff member call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838).

* Call for yourself or someone else
* Free and confidential
* Trained VA counselors to assist
* Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
* We have information about VA homeless programs and mental health services in your area that can help you.

What will happen when I call?

* You will be connected to a trained VA staff member.
* Hotline staff will conduct a brief screen to assess your needs.
* Homeless Veterans will be connected with the Homeless Point of Contact at the nearest VA facility.
* Family members and non-VA providers calling on behalf of a homeless Veteran will be provided with information regarding the homeless programs and services available.
* Contact information will be requested so staff may follow-up.

Anyone volunteering for Saturday’s Veterans Stand Down must attend either one of two training sessions today,  Monday, August 3, 2009. The first session runs from 12pm-1pm The second session runs from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Both training sessions are at the Disabled American Veterans chapter site: 3512 Orlando Drive, Sanford FL 32773 (On Hwy. 17-92 in Sanford, just north of Lake Mary Boulevard on the left side)

If you have questions, call HSN at 407-893-0133 x107 or email us at volunteer {at} hsncfl(.)org.

Event Location: Disabled American Veterans, Chapter #30, 3512 Orlando Drive, Sanford FL 32773 (On Hwy. 17-92 in Sanford, just north of Lake Mary Boulevard on the left side)

HSN and the VA need volunteers for this event — especially men or women who are veterans themselves!

Volunteers can perform any of the following tasks:

• Intake (one-on-one interviews with homeless veterans, completing a simple intake form)
• Shepherd  (assist veterans as they navigate the many services available)
• Distribution (hand out pre-assembled donations of food bags, clothing and backpacks)
• Showers/Clothing (maintain the shower area and assist with selection of underwear and clothing)
• Set-up/Take down (arrange/remove tables, chairs, signs)
• Crowd control (direct veterans and volunteers to registration; answer basic event questions)

Registration: The deadline for registration is Monday, August 3, 2009. You have many registration options available to you.

1. Click here to fill out an online form.
2. Go to the Volunteer Match web site and search for keywords: veterans, Sanford.
3. Download a registration form, edit it in a word processor, and email it back to us at volunteer {at} hsncfl(.)org.
4. Download a registration form, print it, fill it out, and fax it back to us at 407-893-5299.
5. Call our volunteer coordinator for this event, Allison Estes at 407-893-0133 x107.

All volunteers must attend training on Monday, August 3, 2009 at either 12pm-1pm or 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Disabled American Veterans chapter site. Volunteers will receive their task assignments and a t-shirt during check-in on the day of the Stand Down, Saturday, August 8, 2009.

If you have questions. call HSN at 407-893-0133 or email us at volunteer {at} hsncfl(.)org.