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View Winners → Third Annual San Gabriel Valley HOMEless Veterans Stand Down “Heroes In The Shadows” Begins April 4, 2014 In South El Monte at the Whittier Narrows Recreational Area
Monrovia Weekly Apr 02, 2014
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For the third year, The Vet Hunters Project along with The San Gabriel Valley Veterans Employment Committee (SGV|VEC) will present the “Heroes in the Shadows” San Gabriel Valley Homeless Stand Down. The event takes place April 4-6 at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Park located at 1200 N. Potrero Road in South El Monte.
Attendees may pre-register online as well as at several partner locations. Walk-up registration opens on April 4 and continues until noon on Sunday. On-site dental, medical, vision, legal & counseling services will be available as well as accommodations for (sleeping quarters, showers, laundry facilities, food, entertainment, personal grooming/wellness), as well as transportation to and from the site.
Unique in its ability to not turn anyone away based on criteria such as area of residence, gender and Veteran Status, the 2012 Stand Down attracted close to 400 residents including Veterans, Active/Reserve/Guard Service Members and civilians ranging from 19 to 82 years old.
This year’s opening ceremony takes place on Friday April 4 at 10:00am and features US Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano CA-32nd District and City of El Monte Councilman Juventino “J” Gomez as the keynote speakers. Numerous dignitaries representing the State of California, Los Angeles County and various other Federal Agencies, will also be in attendance. The general public is welcome to attend the Opening Ceremony or visit the Stand Down to volunteer.
Unlike other similar Stand Down events throughout Southern California that rely on government grants to fund their operations (which could limit the types of services and populations served); “Heroes In The Shadows” is made possible through personal and organizational donations and sponsorships.
Working to combat Veteran Homelessness by utilizing this no red tape method, with little to no government grants, are a long list of valued partners, In addition to Congresswoman Napolitano and Councilman Gomez, key partners include the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Whittier Narrows Recreational Area, Vet Hunters Project, State of California Employment Development Department, US Army Reserve 155th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs as well as the many community partners that operate in the San Gabriel Valley as well as Southern California at large. A complete list of sponsors, partners and donors may be found at www.sgvvec.org.
