Hire-A-Vet Campaign Assistance Available to Homeless Veterans at VA Stand Down on October 13

October 3, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MDOL Media Contact: Laura Hudson, Maine Department of Labor, 621-5009

Stand Down Media Contact: Gabrielle Farris, VA Togus, 623-8411, ext. 2992

AUGUSTA - Representatives from the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign and Maine CareerCenters will be available for employment and training assistance to homeless Veterans during the 21st Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down on Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VA Togus, 1 VA Center, Augusta. The Homeless Veteran Stand Down connects Maine's homeless Veterans to VA and community resources, with a goal to end Veteran homelessness one Veteran at a time.

"Veterans make many sacrifices in service to our great country," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "No Veteran should return home and be homeless, but we know that isn't always the case. The annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down's goal is to end Veteran homelessness; this is something we can all support. If you know a homeless Veteran, please, connect them with this great event."

The Homeless Veteran Stand Down is a full day of services and resources for Veterans that are literally homeless or in transitional housing. The term "Stand Down" is a military term, in which active duty personnel would be taken off the battle field and able to "Stand Down" in a safe place. The Homeless Stand Down allows our Veterans to "stand down" from homelessness, to connect them with the services and supports needed to end their homelessness.

Free services for homeless Veterans include transportation to and from the event from designated locations, boots and clothing, child care, employment and training resources, flu shots, food and drinks, food stamp and MaineCare applications, haircuts, health care services, housing resources, legal services, optional HEP C and HIV testing, personal care items, tax advocate, Veteran benefits, and women's services. All services at the Stand Down are free to homeless Veterans.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) provides free transportation to and from the Stand Down. Veterans must meet at the pick-up and drop-off location listed to have transportation provided.

DAV Van Departure Locations and Times:

• Bangor Area Shelter, 263 Main St., Bangor, ME, Depart: 7:15 a.m., Tel: 947-0092
• Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope, 8 Summer St., Augusta, ME, Depart: 7:45 a.m.
• Bread of Life Soup Kitchen, 157 Water St., Augusta, ME, Depart: 8:00 a.m., Tel: 621-2541 (please wait by the door)
• Hope Haven Mission, 209 Lincoln St., Lewiston, ME, Depart: 7:00 a.m., Tel: 783-6086
• Hope House, 179 Indiana St., Bangor, ME, Depart: 7:00 a.m., Tel: 217-6713
• Mid Maine Homeless Shelter, 9 Colby St., Waterville, ME, Depart: 7:30 a.m., Tel: 872-8082
• Milestone, 28 Portland Ave., Old Orchard Beach, ME, Depart: 6:30 a.m., Tel: 934-5231
• Milestone, 65 India St., Portland, ME, Depart: 8:00 a.m., Tel: 775-4790
• Preble Street Resource Center (wheelchair accessible bus), 8 Portland St., Portland, ME, Depart: 7:30 a.m., Tel: 874-6560
• Saco Train Station, 128 Main St. and Saco Island on Main St., Saco, ME, Depart: 6:15 a.m.
• Sanford Vet Center, 628 Main St., Springvale, ME, Depart: 6:00 a.m., Tel: 490-1513
• Tedford Shelter, 49 Cumberland St., Brunswick, ME, Depart: 7:30 a.m., Tel: 725-4871
• Trinity Shelter, 12 McClellan St., Skowhegan, ME, Depart: 7:00 a.m., Tel: 399-7538
• York County Shelter, 147 Shaker Hill Rd., Alfred, ME, Depart: 6:00 a.m.

Transportation may be available from additional shelter locations around the state. For more information about the Homeless Veteran Stand Down, please call Gabrielle Farris, HUD-VASH Advanced Medical Support Assistant, VA Maine Healthcare System, 207-623-8411, ext. 2992.

About the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign

The annual Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign provides support to connect employers and job seekers to expand the hiring of veterans. The campaign's goal is to connect 100+ employers with at least 100 Veteran hires over 100 days. Services are available for Veterans and eligible Military Families. Partners include Maine Department of Labor and its CareerCenters, Boots2Roots, Easter Seals and their Veterans Count program, Employment Support Program, Live and Work in Maine, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Transition Assistance Advisors, VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Veterans, Inc., and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/hireavet.shtml .

About Maine CareerCenters

Maine CareerCenters offer specialized employment and training services for Veterans. CareerCenter Veterans Representatives are Veterans themselves. They can help Veterans and eligible spouses find a job, obtain new skills, or access other state or federal resources available to them. Veterans and eligible spouses are given priority of service for the receipt of employment, training and placement services provided under most Maine Department of Labor-funded programs. Connect with a Veterans Representative at http://www.mainecareercenter.gov/employment/veterans.shtml .

Maine Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

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