Homeless gather for annual event

Heather Rawlyk and Timothy Pratt

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 | 11:24 a.m.

By 7:30 this morning a line of more than 2,000 homeless Nevadans wrapped around the back corner of the Cashman Center. The bike racks were overpacked with rusty bicycles, their owners anxiously awaiting the opening of the 11th Annual Las Vegas Stand Down for the Homeless, a one-day event that groups together private and public services for the down-and-out.

Time was a key factor this morning. Several homeless arrived as early as 5 a.m. to get in line, saying the first people to get inside get access to the best handouts.

"I wanted to get in first to get a good coat and blanket first of all," Kendra Reese, 37, said. "I'm going to get a haircut and all that other stuff, but that will be here all day, the blankets won't."

Reese said she got in line early, but was still behind at least 75 people.

"I woke up and got here as soon as I could," she said. "There were already a ton of people here before me. Everyone knows you need to be here early to get all of the good stuff first."

Reese, realizing she was falling behind on time, had one final comment before scurrying off to the personal items tables.

"Look at me, I'm losing time already," she said with a laugh. "I'd better get over there before the line gets too long. Nice talking with you."

About 25 people were already in line to pick up socks, blankets and winter coats.

Hundreds more poured into the Cashman Center after the 8 a.m. opening, first hitting the mandatory survey tables. After filling out a survey intended to gather detailed information about the homeless community, they quickly made their way through the cavernous room, checking out all the stand down had to offer.

The stand down brings together more than 50 social service organizations and companies to help participants to return to self-sufficiency.

The idea is to give homeless people a chance to regroup by putting in one place a wide range of services, including amnesties on misdemeanor charges, haircuts, pulled teeth, eye exams or job applications.

This year's version also has some first-time services. These include eye exams and glasses for up to 150 people offered through Lens Crafters, a local business and more dentists than in previous years. There's also a group of students en route to becoming physician's assistants helping with medical care.

Raymond Smith Jr., 54, a homeless veteran, immediately jogged to the Department of Veterans Affairs booth to get a flu shot.

"One thing I really wanted to get was a flu shot," he said. "I definitely can't afford to get sick, and they give free shots to vets. I think I'll get my shot real quick first and then get over to the blanket table."

Smith said that after getting the necessities, he would then make his way to get a haircut and other personal extras.

"Blankets are key, coats are key, shots are key," he said. "After I get all that I will get a haircut, eye check, and check out the job area. There are some job training classes, I hear, and I will probably go to one of those."

The stand down for the first time features six job training classes throughout the day.

This year the stand down featured 10 employers and temporary employment agencies, a significant increase from the zero that showed up last year. Employers are also a key part of the stand down, as it will help people to get into a job provide for themselves and their families, Lisa Lynn-Chapman, spokeswoman for Safe Nest, a shelter for battered women.

Anthony Joineg, 31, said that he is desperately trying to find a job.

"I hope I can find a job here today, at least get a chance to fill out some applications without people judging you first off," he said. "I don't know what they're offering, but I'm going to apply for all of it."