PANAMA CITY, FL – CareerSource Gulf Coast and 40 local agencies and organizations have joined together to host Friday’s 16th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down, providing free services and resources to the area’s homeless veteran population.
The event takes place on Friday, September 15, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Gulf Coast State College, Student Union East, in Panama City.
Homeless veterans are invited to attend for a day of respite and connection to services and resources, including:
* Breakfast and lunch
* Haircuts
* Medical, dental, vision, and mental health services
* Housing referrals
* VA benefits
* Employment services
* Backpacks with toiletries and non-perishable food
* Clothing, socks, and bed rolls
Free bus transportation by Bayway is provided to and from the event, for those who identify themselves as veterans.
Florida has an estimated 2,504 homeless veterans, as reported by the Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These veterans need resources to help them get back on their feet.
The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment. Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health, and overall sense of well-being.
More details about the 16th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down are available at https://careersourcegc.com or by calling 850-872-4340.
CareerSource Gulf Coast is the state-designated workforce development authority in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties. No-fee workforce development and job placement services are provided to job seekers and employers.
Organizations, sponsors, and volunteers include:
CareerSource Gulf Coast
40 & 8 Voiture 472
90Works
A Hand Up International Inc. GOM
American Legion Post 392 Aux / Paul W. Airy
American Red Cross
AmVets Post 47
Bay County Vet Center
Bayway Transit
Chemical Addictions Recovery Effort, Inc. (CARE)
Disability Resource Center Inc.
Disability Resource Center Panama City
Doorways of Northwest Florida
Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital
Emerald Coast VFW Post 10555
Family Service Agency
Florida Department of Children and Families
Florida Department of Health Bay County
Florida Veteran Support Line - United Way of West Florida
Gulf Coast State College
Hair Affair
Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. of Bay, Franklin and Gulf...
Little Caesars Pizza of Lynn Haven
Maximus
Mission BBQ
Naval Support Activity - Panama City
Northwest Florida Veterans Task Force
NWF Health Network
One Step At A Time Inc.
OneGenAway
Panama City Housing Authority
Panama City Rescue Mission
PanCare of Florida, Inc.
Publix
Recovery Bay Center
The Ark
The Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Tudor's Biscuit World
Tyndall Air Force Base
Tyndall Federal Credit Union
Tyndall Spouses Club
VFW Auxiliary to Post 8205
VFW Post 8205
VFW Post 2185
Xi Theta Zeta
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