GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VETERANS STAND DOWN: In conjunction with Good Samaritan Shelter, Santa Barbara County hosts the Veterans Stand Down which takes place at the Santa Maria Fairpark. The goal of Veterans Stand Down is to connect homeless and at-risk veterans with an array of services in one location. The collaborative event which began in 2012 is the culmination of planning by over 100 committee members. A total of 650 volunteers worked at the Stand Down at any given time every year. This outpouring of volunteers demonstrates the passion and desire of the Santa Barbara County community to give back to the veterans that have served our country!
Veterans receive two hot meals, clothing, showers, haircuts and other basic necessities. The VA provides staff to perform medical exams at the Stand Down. The Community Health Clinics (CHC) provide onsite use of the CHC dental and medical vans to provide dental and medical screenings. Community and government agencies are available to assist with legal issues, housing, mental health, substance abuse, readjustment (PTSD), intervention, and employment counseling. Numerous non-profits are available to offer services and referrals to services and to screen for eligibility for public benefit programs.
Over 100 active-duty men and women from Vandenberg Air Force Base escort veterans throughout their stay at the Stand Down. Veterans are immediately matched with an airman or woman who is in uniform and tasked with walking their veteran through the array of services and service providers available to them throughout their stay. More importantly the Airmen and women help establish a supportive environment that promotes a sense of belonging, acceptance, camaraderie and respect. In addition, the Airmen and women are able to assist veterans by carrying any goods they acquire. This is helpful for veterans who are frail, elderly or disabled.
The Veterans Stand Down provides an opportunity to reach out to veterans throughout Santa Barbara County, as well as organize volunteer and community groups to centralize resources at one location to have a positive impact on veterans’ lives.