Washington DC VA Medical Center
Medical Center Joins Forces to Avert and Prevent Veteran Homelessness
January 29, 2020
WASHINGTON DC— On a cold, rainy Saturday morning, January 28, 2020, homeless, at-risk and underemployed Veterans arrived with hope at the doors of the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down. Hundreds came, 624 men and 97 women, to be exact, all with the anticipation of receiving the care and assistance that could change their lives. The day-long annual community outreach event is dedicated to providing displaced and transitioning Veterans with the health care, benefits and resources they have earned and deserve.
VA staff and volunteers, Veteran Service Organizations, active duty military personnel, along with more than 81 organizations, joined forces under one roof to make this Winterhaven one of the most successful. This is the 26th year the Medical Center has hosted the major outreach event.
“Winterhaven is not a charity event, it’s our opportunity to bring together the community to fulfill the promise we made to Veterans,” said Medical Center Director, Michael Heimall. “The event brings together all three administrations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and many others to offer health care, housing and employment assistance, and wrap-around services which avert Veteran homelessness.”
The full day of services included: health screenings; housing, education and employment opportunities; substance abuse counseling; mental health and psychosocial services; dental exams; HIV and Hep C testing; and free personal care items, warm clothing, boots and shoes.
The HUD Veterans Affinity Group collected 640 pairs of new boots and shoes as part of their annual "Walk in Their Footsteps" campaign. Veterans were able to access resources to help avoid foreclosure, get their discharges upgraded, learn financial management, receive assistance with VA claims, benefits and services, and much more. Veterans were also treated to a hearty lunch, free haircut and duffle bags stocked with useful comfort items.
This comprehensive effort to end Veteran homelessness continues every day at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center and its Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) where VA staff and community partners are available to assist Veterans seven days a week, 24 hours a day. If you, or a Veteran you know, are homeless or at-risk of being homeless, visit the CRRC at 1500 Franklin Street, NE, Washington, DC or call 202-745-3012, to connect with the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Team.
To interview a VA subject-matter-expert about VA’s efforts to eliminate Veteran homelessness, call the Office of Public Affairs and Community Relations, 202-745-4037
