Navy Veteran Darrell Wininger was the first in line to receive a flu shot, just one of many services and resources offered to Veterans at the Muscogee Nation Claude Cox Omniplex for the Homeless Veterans Stand Down event held in September.
Eastern Oklahoma VA collaborated with the Office of Tribal Government Relations, Mary Cully and Muscogee Nation, and Rachel Riddle for the Homeless Stand Down in Okmulgee, OK.
The stand down focused on identifying and assisting homeless Veterans across Eastern Oklahoma.
Other available services included health care, toxin health screens, disability benefits, housing, vocational rehabilitation services, free legal aid, social security, job and employment services, and assisting Veterans with ID cards.
Focus on homelessness
Many Veterans, especially the homeless, are unaware they could be eligible for health care and benefit programs that they have earned and deserve.
Since 2010, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has been cut almost in half, from 74,087 in 2010 to 37,252 in 2020. Several factors played a role in this progress: Investments in Veteran-specific programs, a Housing First approach and strong leadership.
Despite the overall decrease in Veteran homelessness, data shows that progress has stalled since 2016. In addition, 50% of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. are located in regions covered by only 9% of Continuums of Care.
These high-prevalence communities include large cities, rural areas and suburbs which emphasize the need for targeted approaches in certain parts of the country.
With the Eastern Oklahoma VA’s PACT Act events being held in rural areas, the efforts continue to reach out to Veterans in their communities who may need to know about their available resources.
Wininger (pictured above) is enrolled with Eastern Oklahoma VA and is happy with the care he receives from his primary care team and podiatrist.
While at the event, he was able to speak to someone about his VA disability claim, received a toxic exposure screening, obtained a flu shot and received some donated items.
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Systemically I think homeless in general, and specifically for vets, will require a change of perspective to ‘solve’, including acceptance that some (though of course not all), prefer to be homeless vs. living in a shelter or other temporary housing. Until that day, it seems like these events can go a long way toward addressing some basic needs of homeless vets with services such as vaccinations (not sick = better able to function), benefits analysis and explanation, and hopefully realistic referral to more comprehensive services. Good to see these events are taking place, would like to see them more often.
When the Veteran To Homeless and At Risk of Homeless Act passed through Washington Why are any Veterans Homeless. Veteran Act 79 Federal Grants
Just came back from a stand down event here in Colorado springs where there is still hundreds of unhoused Veterans seeking help. I have been homeless here for 6 years and would love to have a home soon. Please help if you can