Homeless Connect Health and Human Services Fair
 

In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, HOPE for the Homeless and the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center are co-hosting: “November to Remember”, On Wednesday, November 14 – Provider Symposium (8am – 12pm); Thursday, November 15, 1-5pm, and Friday, November 16, 8am-1pm, 2007 – HOMELESS CONNECT, a One-Stop Health and Human Services Fair for persons who are homeless, held at the Municipal Auditorium, 705 Elvis Presley Blvd., Shreveport, Louisiana. This event provides services for up to four hundred persons experiencing homelessness, convened at one location and point in time.

HOPE for the Homeless (HOPE) is a collaborative of 68 agencies and individuals working to end homelessness in Northwest Louisiana. They are the HUD recognized continuum of care for the nine-parish region in Northwest Louisiana and in that role convene monthly and carry out action plans year round that address the goal of ending homelessness. One of the major member organizations and a significant partner in the objective of ending homelessness is the Overton Brooks Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. Although HOPE has been active in this effort for almost 20 years, HOPE and Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center have been engaged in providing an annual event entitled “Operation Stand Down” for twelve years and have expanded their efforts this year to reach out to ALL homeless; singles, families, men, women, and children, including veterans.

A survey of homeless persons conducted by HOPE during a 24-hour period in January 2007, recorded 1,442 persons living on the streets or in shelters or housing for the homeless in our community; a recently released analysis reports that 1 in 4, or 25% of all homeless are veterans. A 12-month unduplicated Shelter Count by the Louisiana State Department of Social Services reveals over 7,000 homeless in our region of Northwest Louisiana.

To volunteer your time or resources, please contact HOPE for the Homeless, at 227-2100, Ext. 27.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: CONTACT TERRI BROCK AT 227-2100, EXT. 27, OR CAROLYN GREEN, VAMC AT 841-4812

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Updated News Story
 

A new story has been added to the "Read More" section of this topic, as follows

KSLA -- Nov 16 2007 1:28 PM
Groups Reach Out To Homeless During Operation Standown