Saturday
February 27, 2010
0700 to 1500 at the Richards Street Armory

All Calls & Emails
Days - 414-288-5500
262-681-0237 after 5:00
kathleen.hawkins@marquette.edu

CLICK ON THE FLYER BELOW TO PRINT IT OUT

Meeting Date
February 23, 2010
3:00 pm at the National Guard Armory

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.
Meeting Agenda
 
 
 

Minutes
February 2, 2010 Meeting

Meeting called to order by Vice President Robert Hawkins.  The following committee members were present:
Sandi Hammersley, Mike Malloy, Debbie Sohns, K’uu Wamubu, Charles Wallace,
Johnnie Landes, James Scott, Gwen Sheppard, Major Eastman and Kathleen Hawkins.

Reports

Major Eastman had to leave early and introduced Capt. O’Leary.
He will be there on the 27th and be able to run the forklift and help us with anything we need.
 The MP’s rooms for toiletries (same as last time) will be available for this event.
The lighting has all been replaced and should work better for everyone.
The fleet budget has been cut by 40% and there are no vehicles available to transport the clothing or the items to and from the storage unit.
 Will need to fill in with other vehicles.  There is a new ice machine which should help with the meals.

Treasurer’s Report
There were no donations in the Post Office box.  Shorewest Realty did a casual day in December and designated the money to be used for Stand Down.

A donation form has been created for those donating items, exp. at the Stand Down events.
This will help us know who gave what and be able to a letter of appreciation.

Insurance – Through CVI.  All in and ready for the February event.

Security/Amnesty – Mike Malloy has 2-3  who can work the event from WVVI.  The letter(s) have gone out to Sheriff Clark.
We are working through the backdoor to find someone to help and there is some interest here and hopefully a sheriff will be at the event.

Marquette’s Army ROTC provided security for the event along with set up and tear down.  They are onboard for this event.
They have a good number signed up already to work the event.
Friday will have a set up crew as soon as their morning sessions and meetings are done.
They will have a van that can help getting things to and from the storage unit.

Barbers – MATC provide excellent service.   Annie has been notified of the date of the next event.

Dental – Dr. Santilli is on board for February and does vouchers for MATC and Guadalupe.

Optical – VAMC did screening and vouchering for glasses at Quality Optical if needed.  Sandi turned in some
new glasses and cases and there are more in storage.  Strengths needed from 1.50 to 2.50.

ID Cards – No issues.   They now have 2 laptops with software on both.
We do need to make sure we have more 100 foot cords and the surge protectors with plugs for that area for general area.

Transportation – We have 3 VPC vans with drivers and DAV has 2.  They have been divided into the North and South side for the pickups.
Shotgun riders from VPC know the areas and where the homeless veterans may be.

Job Service – Stan Kogutkiewicz coordinates this.
The clothing vouchers are handed out here as are the backpacks and this works well with the clothing room being open first
after assembly. Soldier’s Angles will be providing backpacks and they are good to go with these.

Food Service – VFW continue to provide our usual wonderful breakfast.
We are seeing an increase in the number of participants and need to remember this in preparation.
We are figuring 200 veterans plus 200 volunteers but not everyone eats the meals.
It is most important that there is enough for the homeless veterans.

Prime Minister (through American Legion 448) provides lunch.  The grant has been applied for but there was some issue with
the grant going to the wrong place and this will probably mean the grant will not be available for this event.

We need to go back to the lunch vouchers (for clients and volunteers) so we make sure clients eat once first.
Clients should eat first and if there is not enough for volunteers (other than key volunteers that can’t get out), someone can always go on a food
run for sandwiches for volunteers.  American Legion Post #18 will be providing 250 steaks for the February event and will drop those off at Vets Place.
We need to make sure that the clients get the steak meals and only others if there are any left –
after the clients are served.  The color of the voucher will designate that.

The food bag lunches will be continued.  Letters have gone out but so far no one has responded positively in providing anything.
We are looking at what we can get together ourselves if this falls through donation wise.  We have done this before and we can do this again.
If you have any connections with the food industry or stores and can get items donated for the bag lunches (150 to 200), please let us know.
They are made off site and brought to the Stand Down in plenty of time for the distribution as our veterans leave.

Toiletries –We have enough kits made for this event and will up our projected totals to 200.
The most needed item is regular size shampoo at this point.  St. Gregory the Great did a super collection of items for this event –
items have been inventoried and placed in storage.  We will be making up kits at this event.

We also ran out of certain sizes of underwear sets due to the increase in clients.
Kits were made up for this event.  We also have to be careful when we put out items – some went by 2 or 3 times and tried to take extra
off the table which means we may not have enough for everyone.  Some volunteers tried to take items too but these give aways are for clients only.

Cold weather gear (hats & scarves or gloves) were distributed and have been restocked for this event.

Soldier’s Angels also provides the towels that the vets can take with them.  They have a little over 200 for this event.
Having the table at the end with towels and lunches and water where they turned in folders worked very well and will be continued.

Intake – Worked very well – no issues.    We had a couple that registered as a volunteer, saw all the services and then registered as a client.
 We need to make sure that they are there as a volunteer or a client and cannot do both.

Legal Assistance – Jesse Torres coordinates this.  We should be good to go for this event with Judge Chavez attending.
A representative will be there from the Veteran’s court and will be there to see what and how they may be able to be of service in the future.
Just observing this time.

Set-Up/Tear Down – Bob Hawkins coordinates this.  This worked extremely well with the help of ROTC.
We are very lucky to have them.  Time, etc. have been worked out for this event.

Volunteers – Kathy & Bob Hawkins work with the volunteers.  We need to make sure we have quality volunteers present for areas like intake
and distribution of items and a second shift for the lunches, etc.  We must know all volunteers in advance to make sure there is something for them to
do and if someone specific invites them; they should have something for them to do.
If there is no area for them to work, we will tell them that we don’t have a space available for them.

We have identified our Founder Award recipient for the February event.
The plaque has been ordered and Charles Wallace will be bringing the plaque.

President Greg Jacobs is again going to do the assembly at the event.  George Martin will be able to be here for the event.
We need to see if we can identify anyone else that might be good in the motivational area that has worked with veterans and in the homeless area (Karyl Richson might have someone).
We are checking whether Sister Sarge will be present to give the opening prayer.

Clothing – The voucher for the clothing has been very successfully moved to Job Service and opening the room after Assembly works well.

Land’s End will again be providing us items for the event.  The only change will be that the pickup will be in Dodgeville so this will have to be coordinated.
The February Stand Down brings cold weather so coats and boots are needed but they should be in very good condition.
There are a couple of new groups on board to help collect items.

There is also a need for Larger Sizes (2XL to 4XL), not only at Stand Down but for VPC.

Service Providers – Service Providers worked well.  We need to make sure our service providers are ready to go at 8:00 am and stay until 2:30 pm.
That’s the time we list on all our information.  The veterans can register at 7:00 am and after registration and breakfast, they need services available.
Many other vets (at risk of being homeless) work until noon and then come for services and there seems to be nothing left once lunch is over.
So we have to stress that to our providers. The information will go out to the providers very soon so we can check on signage for the event (a lot of our signs disappear).
We also would like a diagram on each end displaying where all the providers are.

Dryhootch will be a new provider at this event.  They will be providing one on one peer counseling for the clients.

The Medical College of WI/Health Care for the Homeless Program will be upstairs at this event and have confirmed participation.
We need through intake and registration to mention to those not VA eligible or family members that they are there to provide services.

Bob Hawkins needs a list of the providers that register for the event as soon as he can so
that we can make up the floor plan that we will be displaying at the event.

Medical – Works well as usual in its new place on the drill floor.  TB tests have been ordered (60).  Charles is checking on what we can do
in Audio Testing (if there is anything available).  This is an area where many of our vets have issues.

WDVA – Vouchering was done at the event itself by Jim Duff and he will be with us for the next event.

The Miller/Coor’s veteran’s group has contacted us about assisting with the event.  We have sent them a wish list of items that are always needed.
We have also invited 2-3 of them to the event so they can actually see everything that goes on and see
exactly where they can fit in and what they can help provide for future events.

The next Stand Down date is February 27, 2010.  So we can plan ahead – the date of the September event is September 18, 2010.

The next meeting is February 23, 2010.  If you have a key area, please try and attend this meeting.
If not, please let the Board know that you are all set with your area or if there is anything needed, etc.

NOTES (NEW):

Be sure that the totals and recap for your area after the event are sent
to the Secretary so that we can do the total Breakout of Intake Data.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen A. Hawkins, Secretary
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
kathleen.hawkins@marquette.edu
 

The Fall Veterans Stand Down is September 18, 2010

View The 2009 Fall Stand Down Pictures
Courtesy of Dave Ryba & Staff

 Army ROTC Helps Homeless Vets At Milwaukee 2009 Fall Stand Down

Marquette Tribune Picture

THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone that helped make this Stand Down a success.
We are especially grateful to those that stayed late to help with cleanup and those that helped with set up and transportation.

We won’t have the official totals for a bit but we did see approximately 190 veterans go through and receive our services.
This is our second largest amount of veterans.  We ran out of a few things and got very low on others but we made everything stretch.

The wrap up meeting will be on October 6.  While the Stand Down is still fresh in our minds, please share
anything that we might need brought up at the meeting to help make the event run more smoothly.

2009 Fall Stand Down

Veterans Helping Veterans

Media Release         For more information contact:
Film Opportunity 10 to 11 am          Greg Jacobs:  (414) 902-5729
Meeting the Needs of Newly Returning
Iraq and Other Veterans

Stand Down for Homeless Veterans
Saturday   February 27 , 2010     7 am – 3 pm
Richard’s Street Armory    4108 N. Richards

As in previous wars, newly returning Iraq veterans have served well in under the most dangerous situations leaving them
with battle related issues beyond physical injury and disability such as Post Traumatic Stress and other psychological disorders.
Their service may have fostered other issues such as self-medication, alcohol and drugs, relationship and family problems.
Returning home, possibly facing unemployment, especially with non-transferable job skills, and these other barriers -
that veteran may be living homeless in Milwaukee.
Stand Down is a military term for soldiers resting from battle, Saturday homeless veterans will be brought from the streets of Milwaukee
County to begin recuperation through a wide variety of services provided by the Wisconsin Stand Down Committee: emergency housing,
medical, dental, optical, psycho-social, post traumatic stress, legal, employment and training, alcohol and drug treatment, clothing, toiletries,
barbering, federal, state, county and community based veteran specific services, great breakfast served by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
who are being honored for their many years of service to homeless veterans, and a hot and nutritious lunch provided by the American Legion & Auxiliary
Stand Down’s theme is “Veterans Helping Veterans.” Volunteers from these organizations
will be helping provide a “Hand Up-Not A Hand Out”:
WI UAW Veterans, Amer. Legion & Auxiliary, Alcoholics Anonymous, AMVETS & Auxiliary, Amer. Liver Foundation, Center for
Veterans Issues, Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary, Disabled Amer. Veterans & Auxiliary, US Army Reserve, WI National Guard,
Milw. Area Technical College, UWM-Vets Upward Bound, Catholic War Veterans, Milw. Health Department, Milw. Municipal Court,
Milw. NCO Council, Milw. Vet Center, Vets Place Central, Nat. Assoc. for Black Veterans, Social Security, VA Domiciliary,
VA Medical Center, VA Regional Office, WI Indian Veterans Assoc.-Oneida Chapter, Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club,
Vietnam Veterans of America, WI Dept. of Veterans Affairs, WI Job Service, Milw. County Veterans Service Office,
WI Vietnam Veterans Inc., Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jewish War Veterans, Milw. County War Memorial Board,
Lands End, Internal Revenue Service, Marine Corp League of Wisconsin, the Ride to the
Wall Foundation, Paul Revere & the Raiders and Citizen Volunteers.

DO YOU KNOW A HOMELESS OR "AT RISK" VETERAN?
WISCONSIN VETERANS
Stand Down Rally
Wisconsin National Guard Armory
       Where?    4108 North Richards Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
Saturday February 27 , 2010
7:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Veterans Helping Veterans
A Hand Up - Not A Hand Out

-Federal and State Veterans Information-
-Drug and Alcohol Treatment Information-
-Employment Information-

Together Then - Together Now

For more information contact:
WI Stand Down Voice Mail (Greg Jacobs):  902-5729
Milwaukee County Veterans Service Office: 382-1727
Vet's Place Central: 342-5000
Wisconsin Dept. of Veteran Affairs  (Fernando Rodriguez): 382-1756
Veterans Job Service Representatives:
Milwaukee Northside: (Stan Kogutkiewicz)  267-3233
Milwaukee Southside:  (Greg Williams)  389-6293
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Veterans Pick-up Points
Milwaukee Public Library- 10th & Wisconsin Avenue
 -South11th/Mitchell-South16th/National
 -Teutonia & Capitol- Burleigh & 27th Street- Atkinson & Capitol- North Ave & FonDuLac-
North Ave & Martin Luther King Dr-
Silver Spring & Green Bay Rd- Burleigh & 24th Street(Moody Park)
Pick-up Only from 7:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

“Veterans Helping Veterans.”
Volunteers from these organizations will be
helping provide a “Hand Up-Not A Hand Out”:
WI UAW Veterans, Amer. Legion & Auxiliary, Alcoholics Anonymous, AMVETS & Auxiliary, Amer. Liver Foundation,
Center for Veterans Issues, Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary, Disabled Amer. Veterans & Auxiliary, US Army
Reserve, WI National Guard, Milw. Area Technical College, UWM-Vets Upward Bound, Catholic War Veterans, Milw.
Health Department, Milw. Municipal Court,Milw. NCO Council, Milw. Vet Center, Vets Place Central, Nat. Assoc. for
Black Veterans, Social Security, VA Domiciliary, VA Medical Center, VA Regional Office, WI Indian Veterans Assoc.-
Oneida Chapter, Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, Vietnam Veterans of America, WI Dept. of Veterans Affairs, WI Job
Service, Milw. County Veterans Service Office, WI Vietnam Veterans Inc., Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jewish
War Veterans, Milw. County War Memorial Board, Lands End, Internal Revenue Service, Marine Corp League of
Wisconsin, the Ride to the Wall Foundation, Paul Revere & the Raiders and Citizen Volunteers.

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.

STAND DOWN WISH LIST

All must be new items

Monetary Donations

Personal Care Item (regular size)
Shampoo
Deodorant
Soap
Shave Cream
Shave Powder
Toothpaste
Small Kleenex packages
Disposable Razors
Combs
Toothbrushes
Wash Clothes

Please remember, the majority of veterans we see are of the male gender

Undergarments (male)
(Sizes needed Medium to 4X)
T shirts
Briefs
Socks (regular and big men’s size)
 

Cold Weather Gear
Hats
Gloves
Scarves
(Can be hand made or store bought)
 

Milwaukee Stand Down
Official Web Site:
http://www.war-veterans.org/Stddwn.htm

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.
Post Office Box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-8026

Dear Comrades and Friends;
     It's that time again, as you can see by the flyer enclosed it is once again time for our semi-annual
"Stand Down" here in Milwaukee.  I promised that I would notify you of the event-- consider yourself notified.
 

     We have experienced many successful recoveries from the plight of homelessness as a result of services
obtained at "Stand Down" such as legal services provided by the volunteer lawyers of the Justice Department,
or the Municipal Court Judge who donates his time and services in the form of granting amnesty to individuals
with issues like traffic and civil violations allowing these veterans to return to society.  It was reported that do
to the services provided by an IRS agent this past February as much as $40,000 was saved and refunded to
veterans that would have not known they had money coming.  Combined with other services offered through
"Stand Down" these veterans re-establish themselves in the work force and once again provide for themselves
and their families in much the same manner as you and I often take for granted.
 

     Thank you in advance for your interest and involvement in this program of service to our less-fortunate
comrades in their time of need.  Wisconsin Stand Down, Inc. is a non-profit organization registered in the state
with no paid staff.  All the staff and service providers at 'Stand Down" are volunteers so any and all tax-deductible
contributions go directly to the veteran in need, and when combined with the services and supplies that are donated
provide maximum service at minimum costs.  If you can provide a service that would be needed at "Stand Down"
and would like to participate as a volunteer, or would like to attend the "Stand Down" as an "observer" let us know.
If you are unable to attend but would like to financially contribute to this cause your donations will be greatly
appreciated and put to good use to purchase some of the items we do not get donated such as eyeglasses,
dental work, toiletry articles and bus tickets etc.

Thank you again for showing that you indeed do:

"Care Enough to Make a Difference!"

Sincerely yours in appreciation;

Greg Jacobs, President

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.

Weekday phone: (414) 902-5729

Evenings/Weekends: (414) 527-1271

Fax: (414) 902-5403
 

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.
Post Office box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-0307

What is a “Stand Down”?

     Many of our friends and comrades have been asking this question in the Milwaukee area in recent years
so we will try to shed some light on the most recent application of the term.
     During a “Stand Down” soldiers are removed from the field of combat for rest and recreation.  Homeless and at-risk
veterans in this country are not unlike soldiers in combat, living in the field (streets), surviving by their wits with limited
rations and enduring very unfavorable living conditions.  Every day they must continue to do battle.  Their adversaries
are lack of housing, unemployment, physical and emotional hardships and hopelessness.
     Today’s version of a “Stand Down” is designed and intended to bring a wide array of pre-existing specialized resources
together at one location and to provide a comprehensive therapeutic program to homeless and at-risk veterans that integrates
employment, housing, medical, legal and a broad range of social services.
     Studies have concluded that veterans appear to be at-risk of homelessness for much the same reasons as other Americans.
 Socioeconomic structural factors have largely been responsible for the increased numbers of homeless people.
Personal vulnerabilities such as poverty and mental illness have influenced the type of individual that becomes at risk
of homelessness. These studies also estimate that as many as 40% of the homeless men in America are combat trained veterans.

  The current “Stand Down” concept has six basic goals:

1.   To provide a “hand-up”, not a “hand-out” for immediate relief from the trauma and stress of homelessness.
2.   To provide access to services and assistance in the area of employment, clothing, matters of hygiene, medical/dental exams etc.
3.   To provide access to longer term solutions like Department of Veteran Affairs benefits, employment
opportunities, medical /legal assistance and other social services.
4.   To build and maintain strong long-term interagency and community working relationships.
5.   To continue to raise community and state awareness of the plight of the homeless and at-risk veterans to develop long term solutions.
6.   To encourage and aid in the replication of this program in our community and other cities across the state.

     Now that you have a better idea of the current application of the term “Stand Down” we are hoping that you
will join us in educating the public and help lessen, if not eliminate the plague
that is infecting veterans and their families in our community.

Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down Inc.
Post Office box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-0307

Dear Friends and Comrades:
     On behalf of the Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down committee we are seeking your financial support for the
funding of our on-going services to homeless and at risk veterans in our area.  At our two Stand Down’s held in 2008
we helped to provide aid and comfort to over 300 veterans in the Milwaukee area.  This was just a small segment of
the homeless veteran population in our city; there is a much larger population of veterans that are at risk of becoming
homeless if something is not done now.  Our last “Stand Down” was held on September 20, 2008  at the Richards Street
National Guard Armory 4108 North Richards Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  At this Stand Down we served over 120
needy veterans and their families, providing various services including providing eyeglasses and dental services for
homeless or at-risk veterans.  In addition to the aforementioned services we fed over 300 participants and volunteers
through the generous donations given to our program by concerned individuals and organizations like you throughout the state.
     We are currently in the planning stage for our next Stand Down to be held February 28, 2009 once again at the
Richards Street National Guard Armory in Milwaukee.  We are still in need of financial assistance so that we can provide
hot and nutritious meals, toilet articles, eye exams, glasses, much needed dental work, work boots and other items such
as bus passes to get to job interviews etc.  It is our hope that you, your organizations, members and friends
will be able to help us in this important endeavor.
     We are deeply grateful for whatever assistance you can provide.  If you have any questions
please feel free to call me for further details.
Sincerely Yours in Comradeship;

Greg Jacobs, President
Weekday phone: (414) 902-5729
Evenings/Weekends: (414) 902-5403
E-MAIL Address:
 jacobg@dwd.state.wi.us  (or) gjacobs3@wi.rr.com
 

CLICK ON THE FLYER BELOW TO PRINT IT OUT

 

Doc's Email

VISIT DOC'S SITES BELOW