Stand Down for Homeless Vets in SW Oklahoma

On Friday, 1 May, the third annual Stand Down at Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Lawton will provide free services for homeless veterans from a 16-county area of SW Oklahoma.

A “Stand Down” is a soldier’s term for taking time at the base camp after a training exercise or a combat operation to recuperate: rest, shower, eat hot meals and clean up, resupply and pull maintenance on their equipment—in short, prepare to “Stand Up” and go again.

In the case of the Stand Down for homeless veterans, the day is to take them “off the streets” for showers, meals, clothing, haircuts, medical screening, dental work, information on substance abuse and mental health, and help with VA and Social Security benefits, employment, housing, and more--giving them free assistance and services to improve their lives. The Stand Down gives homeless vets a day of respite and helps solve some of their problems.

This year, the Stand Down will include new services from the Social Security Administration, including disability determination services, and will have several Native American representatives, such as ones from the Comanche Nation Housing Authority, Southern Plains Office of Native American Programs of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and a Fiduciary Trust Officer of the IIM Accounts of the US Department of Interior. In addition, the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club will provide free bicycle repairs for homeless vets at the west side parking lot of Centenary Church.

In the past two years, this annual Stand Down has helped more than 100 homeless vets in SW Oklahoma, moving several vets and their family members into housing that each comes with a “package” of counseling and employment services as well as helping others establish eligibility for benefits and other assistance. The Stand Down has changed several of our homeless vets’ lives significantly.

Sometimes veterans don’t realize they qualify for homeless status. A veteran without a fixed, stable home—for example, sleeping on a family member’s couch or bouncing around from friend to friend— qualifies as homeless, not just veterans on the streets or sleeping in vehicles or shelters. Native American veterans who have inherited partial ownership in homes they will never live in and are otherwise homeless also are eligible for these services.

The Stand Down is conducted annually under the auspices of the Lawton Housing Authority by a committee of volunteers from local and Oklahoma City VA agencies, Lawton city government, representatives of Fort Sill, veterans’ organizations, nonprofits and churches, and civic organizations. If you would like more information about the Stand Down, contact Jervis Jackson, Director of the Continuum of Care, Lawton Housing Authority, and Chairman of the Stand Down Committee, at 580-353-7392, Extension 308 or email him at jjackson@LawtonHousing.org.

What:  Free third annual SW Oklahoma Stand Down in Lawton for Homeless Vets in SW Oklahoma.  More than 20 life assistance, government benefits, medical-dental, housing, employment, food, clothing, hygiene and other services provided.

When and Where: Friday, 1 May, at Centenary United Methodist Church, 704 SW D Avenue, in downtown Lawton. Breakfast will be served at 6:30 am, services start at 8:00 am, and lunch will be at 11:30 with the Stand Down ending at 3:00 pm.

Who is Eligible: Homeless veterans of all branches of the military, including those who served on active duty, and in the Reserves, and National Guard in 16 counties in SW Oklahoma:  Beckham, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain,  Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman, and Washita Counties.

Round Trip Transportation for Homeless Vets:

Altus – SW Transit, 1401 E. Ridgecrest Road, Pickup at 7:30 am
Anadarko – Wichita Housing Authority, 1 E. Coronado Circle, Pickup at 8 am
Chickasha - Resurrection House, 910 Hilburn, Pickup at 7:45 am
Duncan – Burger King, 1501 N Highway 81, Pickup at 8 am
Lindsay – Lindsay Christian Outreach, 125 S. Main Street, Pickup at 8 am