Third Annual “Heroes In The Shadows”
Raises spirits by providing on site assistance, services and resources
The Vet Hunters Project and The San Gabriel Valley Veterans Employment Committee (SGV|VEC), along with many participating partners, opened their arms, and hearts, to hundreds of veterans in need during the third annual “Heroes in the Shadows” San Gabriel Valley Homeless Stand Down.
Taking place last weekend at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Park in South El Monte, the three day event provided on-site dental, medical, vision, legal and counseling services to attendees as well as accommodations for sleeping quarters, showers, laundry facilities, food, entertainment, personal grooming, wellness and more.
Unlike other similar Stand Down events throughout Southern California that rely on government grants to fund their operations, “Heroes In The Shadows” was made possible through personal and organizational donations and sponsorships.
“The words homeless and veterans should never go together,” said Joe Leal, founder of the Vet Hunters Project, a non-profit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for all military veterans, families and individual Americans they meet. An Iraq combat veteran and tireless advocate for America’s homeless heroes, Leal works together with a dedicated and determined army of Vet Hunters throughout the country, shedding light on a population of underserved and neglected veterans. “It’s unacceptable. From our daily search and rescue missions to community-oriented events such as the ‘Heroes In The Shadows’ Stand Down, we remain committed to changing the lives of our displaced veterans through action.”
A complete list of sponsors, partners and donors may be found at www.sgvvec.org. More on Vet Hunters Project can be found at www.vethunters.org.
-Courtesy Photo