Once again, staff from DCJ sponsored a table at the East County Veterans Stand Down on October 19th. This year’s event was coordinated by Salvation Army & WorkSource Oregon. This annual event provides veterans and their families a place to receive basic social services from a variety of community and government agencies. Services include medical, dental and vision exams and care, mental health and substance abuse counseling, employment and housing assistance, legal assistance, a hot meal, and hygiene and personal supplies necessary for daily living.
The event took place at the Chapel in Troutdale and was meant specifically for Veterans in East County. Marty Clark, a Probation and Parole Officer working with the Veterans Coordination Project, coordinated DCJ’s presence with the assistance of several other Multnomah County employees. Mary Sullivan-Reinhardt and Leila Sanders volunteered and attended the entire event. Collectively, they distributed back packs, pocket planners, note pads, journals, Veterans Benefit Magazine and there were even Canine MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat). During the event they made themselves available to answer questions about DCJ and the role we play in working with Justice Involved Veterans. Diane McKeel, Multnomah County Commissioner from District 4, was also present and stopped by the DCJ table and took time to check in with the veterans in attendance.
This event reached a total of 185 vets and included 50 volunteers, 375 meals served, and 49 haircuts. Officer Clark reported afterwards, “It was a wonderful time and a great ‘reach out’ to the Veterans in our community. I am glad that DCJ is making this event an annual tradition. It is a great way to connect with veterans, and let them know we are there to support them.”