WILLIAM “BILL” KELLEY, CHAIRMAN
690 Wrelton Drive
San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 488-5526

     Comrades, on any given day the homeless veteran population in the United States is estimated to be between 250,000 and 300,000 veterans. We must work to solve this National disgrace. There are many things that an individual Post or District can do to help alleviate this problem. Some of those things follow.

     Always remember that you are dealing with fellow veterans with individual needs and their own identity. Treat them as such and respect them as individuals.

     Set up a Post fund or use the relief fund to buy a meal, a tank of gas, a bus ticket, or a room for the night if necessary.

     Provide support to a local charity that helps the homeless by making donations of food, clothing, or shelter.

     Charities or community services that provide meals to the homeless usually welcome a Post food drive of canned goods.

     A clothing drive to have a supply of clothing, especially men's, donated to the Salva tion Army, Red Cross, etc. Blankets are needed and they don't have to be new, just warm. Clean changes of undergarments, shoes and clothing of all sizes are needed. Children are sometimes found with adults. Bibles are needed as well.

     Appoint a Homeless Veterans Chairman. It could be the service officer, but your appointment should know the community referral services that are available for the homeless veteran. These services include, but are not limited to, E.D.D. for job and benefit services, community shelters, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.

     Find out where a stand down is being held in your area and support it either financially, with clothing drives, other things that are needed, or better yet, volunteer from your Post.

     Report what your Post has done under Community Services.

     Never forget that service to the community, state, and nation, to the veteran, his widow and orphan is paramount and your help is needed to achieve that goal. A better America will be the result.

FEDERAL GRANTS FOR HOMELESS PROVIDERS

Interagency Council on the Homeless, c/o U.S. Dept. of HUD, 451 7th St. SW, Rm. 7274, Washington, DC 20410.

Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs. Address same as above, but Room is 7262.

VA Homeless Office (075), Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NEW, Rm. 915, Washington, DC 20420.

Veterans Employment and Training Service, Dept. of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NEW, Rm. S1316, Washington, DC 20036.

STAND DOWNS IN CALIFORNIA

     Riverside in February
     Los Angeles in March (2), June
     November (2) and December
     San Diego in July
     Long Beach in June
     Ventura County in July
     San Francisco in September
     Sacramento in September
     Fresno in October
     Oceanside in October

     Posts and/or Districts, which would like to begin a Stand Down, should contact the State Chairman for information and assistance.

     It is estimated that 1- in-3 of all homeless people in California is a veteran.