Stand Down to provide help to homeless

Angela Soo

Monday, Oct. 1, 2001 | 8:41 a.m.

The Southern Nevada Homeless Coalition will hold its ninth annual Las Vegas Stand Down for the Homeless 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Cashman Center.

All homeless people are encouraged to attend the event and take advantage of free services, spokesman Brian Brooks said.

Public agencies, nonprofit social service providers and local corporations plan to offer free legal services, provided by five local judges and volunteer attorneys, health care and flu shots, VA benefits, free hair cuts, housing, substance abuse counseling, child care, personal care items, entertainment, a hot lunch, a job fair with more than 25 employers and more.

More than 400 volunteers are expected to donate their time to the event, Brooks said.

The Las Vegas Stand Down is also the largest in the nation, he said.

"Unlike most other Stand Downs that open their doors only to homeless veterans, we have opened our event to all homeless," Brooks said.

The eight-hour event usually attracts more than 2,000 people, he said. From 25 percent to 35 percent usually are veterans from as far back as World War II, Brooks said.

"These events allow them to come to a place where they can feel safe from the dangers of the streets and receive the care and supplies they need to survive," Brooks said.

For more information on companies interested in participating, call 307-5414 Ext. 3. For general information, call 364-9546.