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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.2 EastBay StandDown for Veterans ~~::' ..~ .,..- """,~.. CITY CLERK File # D[1J[2J[QJ..@[Q] . AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 6, 1999 SUBJECT: Presentation related to "East Bay Stand Down for Needy Veterans" Report Prepared by Kay Keck, City Clerk ATTACHMENTS: 1) Letter to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Black, Commander, Parks Reserve Forces Training Area from Jerry Yahiro, Assistant Director, Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley and Denver Mills, Concord Veterans Center dated February 22, 1999 RECOMMENDA TION: ,.(' ^ ~eceive Presentation L Provide Input Provide Appropriate Direction to Staff FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None . DESCRIPTION: In the nine San Francisco Bay Area Counties, the Veterans Administration (VA) estimates that there are 7,000+ needy veterans who are transient or living in temporary housing. Some estimates range as high as 15,000, in the northern California area. "Stand Down" is a term coined during the Vietnam War, which describes the practice of removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their basic needs in a safe area. Veterans spend time in a safe, clean and sober environment where they receive food, showers, clothing, hair cuts, medical, dental, vision and infectious disease screening, employment counseling, VA counseling, benefits assistance and other services, which are provided by professional and volunteer staff members. The Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV), a non-profit veterans' organization is requesting use of space at Parks RFT A to host the East Bay Stand Down for needy veterans on September 30th through October 3rd. They will additionally need 3 days prior to the event and 2 days following the event for set up and tear down. The host Federal Agency is the VA Readjustment Counseling Service, Concord. Staff requests that the City Council receive the presentation by Jerry Yahiro, consider the request, and provide appropriate direction to Staff. . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: Lt. Co!. Thomas S. Black, Parks RFTA Jerry Yahiro, East Bay Stand Down ITEMNO.~ K2/G/4-6-99/as-veterans ..," (- . . . 1N.AM VETS of . ~l~ bV 11- /t:6f --- IIIUII Proudly We Served February 22, 1999 Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Black Installation Commander Parks Reserve Forces Training Area Building 790 Dublin, CA 94568-5201 Dear Col. Black, This is a request to use a location at your facility to host the East Bay Stand Down for needy veterans. The site of the event is requested to be available for nine (9) days, from September 27, 1999 to October 5, 1999. The Stand Down will be held from September 30th through October" 3rd. The days preceding and after these dates will be used to set up and tear down/remove the site. My organization, the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley (VNVDV) is the sponsoring organization for the Stand Down. The host Federal Agency is the V A Readjustment Counseling Service, Concord. The VNVDV is a non-profit organization. One of our primary objectives is community service and involvement, especially in veterans' issues. Attached is a briefing package for the East Bay Stand Down. If you have any questions, please contact either myself, on telephone number 925-743-8850 or Denver Mills, on 925-648-4526. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, /~~ Jerry Yahiro Assistant Director, East Bay Stand Down Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley Denver Mills Concord Veterans Center Attachment 1 ; ~ 1~ Background: . "Stand Down" is a term coined during the Vietnam War. It described the practice of removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their basic needs in a safe area. Since 1988, Stand Downs for needy veterans have been held in over 100 cities nationwide. The Stand Down campground is a setting that encourages needy veterans to take stock and explore ways to improve their lives and become productive members of the community. A tent city is set up to house these veterans for two (2) to three (3) nights. They spend their time in a safe, clean and sober environment, receiving food, showers, clothing, hair cuts, medical, dental, vision and infectious disease screening. Employment counseling, V A counseling, benefits assistance and other services will be available. Professional and volunteer staff members will also be available for group and/or individual interaction. All participants are screened prior to admission to the event, by the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA), to positively determine their status as veterans, with honorable discharges. The goal of the Stand Down is that 20% of the participants will be placed directly into . residential programs at the conclusion of the event. An additional 20% will go directly to available employment. The remaining participants will be counseled for further assistance, for whatever needs they may have. In the nine (9) county San Francisco Bay Area, the VA estimates there are 7,000+ "needy" veterans who are transient or living in temporary housing. Some estimates range as high ~s 15,000, in the northern California area. I A significant number of these veterans have had little or no contact with the V A for either monetary or medical benefits. They have had limited contact with any other agency which could provide them with assistance. Assisting these veterans in improving their employment and housing situations, especially combat veterans, is a difficult process, but one which cannot be ignored. Sponsoring Agencies The sponsoring agency is the Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley, a non-profit veterans' organization. The host federal agency is the V A Readjustment Counseling Service office in Concord. . . ........ ~ ~ 'I . J~ c; . Supporting Agencies So far, the planning includes: . The offices of Representatives Tauscher, Miller and Lee . District 14, Disabled American Veterans . Bay Area VA Health Administration . VA Benefits Administration . USAR 2nd Medical Battalion . Other USAR and National Guard units . U.S. D.O.L . California Employment Development Departments' . Northern California Veterans Employment Committees . California Department of Veterans Affairs . Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano County government agencies . . Funding All funding comes through donations and in-kind support. As of date, support has been received from many individuals and organizations. Security Security will be a primary consideration. As previously mentioned, all participants will be pre-screened prior to admittance to the Stand Down. A temporary steel wire fence will enclose the entire site, approximately eight (8) feet high. Once the Stand Down commences, attendees (not including staff members) will not be allowed to leave. No new applicants will be admitted. Volunteers will secure the site 24 hours a day, for the entire event. Transportation All participants (not including staff members) will be bussed to the site. Pre-arranged pick-up sites will be established. Upon completion of the Stand Down all participants will be transported back to the pick-up locations. Assurances: The Stand Down organization will provide all logistic and service requirements of the event. All security, transportation, sanitation, feeding, etc., will be provided through our own resources. Additionally, all liability, insurance, coverage, appointments will be provided through our own resources. I'" . -.,. '~. ~ tj 615 r Support Requested . We are requesting the use of a site on Camp Parks, to be mutually agreed upon by the Camp Command and the organizers of the event. We would like access to this event for nine days, beginning September 27th, and ending October 5th. The set up time would be from September 27 , through September 29th. The participants would be at the site from September 30th, through October 3rd. Tear down and removal will be completed by October 5th. It may be necessary to install telephone lines through available phone facilities. All costs for installation, operation and usage will be covered by our operations. We may also need access to power lines, if possible. All costs will be covered by our operations. . .