WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down held at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DCVAMC) on Saturday, January 12, brought health care, employment services and housing support to 256 metro area homeless veterans.

The program, sponsored by the DC VA Medical Center, with the support of many veterans' service and community organizations, was successful in reaching veterans who had never used the VA, in screening veterans for HIV/AIDS, and in matching veterans with services that can help them lead independent lives.

For the first time, the DC Department of Health offered HIV screenings using a new swab test that gives results within one hour. Of the 256 attendees, 97 people volunteered for the HIV screening. All attendees were required to attend an HIV education session.

Over 150 veterans took advantage of the services of IRS consultants and 40 of those will be receiving refund checks that they never expected. All veterans were offered the opportunity to enroll in VA's award-winning web-based health management system, My HealtheVet. This system allows veterans to track weight, manage appointments and prescriptions and access health guidance information.

Many veterans appreciated the mental health support services offered at Winterhaven. Although numbers are not yet available, the majority of the participants visited more than one provider seeking help for smoking cessation, substance abuse, alcohol abuse and other mental health issues.

Twelve homeless women veterans were seen at the Women's Health Clinic. The station set-up to support potential homeless veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism had no visitors.

Medical Center Director, Fernando O. Rivera, believes events like Winterhaven have a positive impact in getting veterans off the streets and into safe housing. "The total number of homeless veterans in the metro area is 2500. Although this is a large number, it does represent a downward trend. This is clear evidence that VA’s programs for assisting homeless veterans are working."

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Peake, MD, toured Stand Down stations and spent several hours visiting with veterans and staff. He volunteered to serve food at the lunch station and proudly wore the standard issue Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down volunteer shirt.

The event attracted significant media attention. CNN offered a full-day of coverage of the event, and local TV stations, Federal News Radio, US Medicine magazine and the Washington Post all covered the event.

Veterans reported feeling very welcomed and supported by staff. They appreciated the respect given to them and indicated they benefited from the day-long program. All of the veterans were offered hair-cuts and coupons to thrift stores and collected bags of warm clothing and toiletries.

There were 680 volunteers at the event, representing DCVAMC staff, local community non-profits, and corporate sponsors, such as PriceWaterHouseCoopers, ZIPS Dry Cleaning and Corporate Sports. Volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to help veterans and the camaraderie of the day. A group departing at the end of a long day of work, cheerily exclaimed as the left, "We’ll be back next year!"

For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 745-4037 or visit our website at http://www.washingtondc.va.gov/