8th Annual Compton Stand Down Serves Hundreds of Local Homeless Veterans

U.S. VETS – Los Angeles hosted the 8^th Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down in Compton, CA on Sept. 24-26^th.  The Stand Down has grown in size each year with the number of veterans attending as well as the breadth of services offered to assist veterans.

This year the Stand Down served 720 veterans with everything from dental services, vision screening and new prescription glasses, housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health, VA medical, employment services and education programs to basics including clothing, showers, food and haircuts.

New to the Stand Down this year was the opportunity for veterans to receive major dental work on site.  The USC Ostrow School of Dentistry brought three mobile dental units and were able to perform fillings, surgical extractions and even root canals for veterans.

“We’re very pleased that the Stand Down was so well-received by the veterans and the community agencies,” said Ivan Mason, Site Director of U.S. VETS – Los Angeles.  “The large turnout of service providers shows that they understand the importance of reaching out to the veterans in need in our community,” he said.

“Although we expected a larger number of veterans this year,” Mason said, “even we were surprised that there was such a significant increase from years past.”  Mason offered an explanation for the increase, “we believe the large number of veterans seeking help this year is a direct result of the economic crisis in our country and state.”