Jacksonville hosts Homeless Veterans Job Fair and Stand Down on Friday and Saturday

For years they served their country in the U.S. military, then they stood down from service.

For some that departure leads to problems that escalate into loss of a job and even homelessness.

The city of Jacksonville is trying to help by hosting a Homeless Veterans Job Fair and Support Services, followed by a Stand Down event for other personal needs. The two-day event, organized in the city for about 20 years, will be Friday and Saturday at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds at 510 Fairground Place.

Surveys indicate there are about 200 homeless men and women in Jacksonville who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and reserves.

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But Harrison Conyers, from the city's Military Affairs and Veterans Department, said it's much more than that. That's because those homeless surveys usually account for only the downtown area and not the suburbs. And because Jacksonville is a gateway to Florida, many homeless men and women stop there every winter on their way to other areas.

"Some of the wounds of war they suffered caused mental-health or substance-abuse issues that lead them to where they are," Conyers said. "But sometimes it's issues like divorce or family issues. Even with all that, they have served our country and helped provide the freedoms we enjoy regardless of where they are in their lives. So we feel very much that we owe them."

To "Stand Down" is a military term for when combat regiments returning from war were placed in safety zones, the city said. Troops could put down their weapons and concentrate on personal matters such as writing a letter home or just getting a shower and some hot food.

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Now, with U.S. Department of Labor support, this updated version of a "Stand Down" will give veterans the same opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being, Conyers said.

About 200 to 600 homeless veterans have been helped annually by the city's military affairs department in recent years, he said.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, veterans will be offered information on jobs with about 30 employers expected to be on hand. Information on shelter and housing as well as medical and dental services also will be available."I can guarantee there's jobs available," Conyers said. "There are placements every single year. ... We will see dozens walk out of there with job opportunities that day."

Training to get help a homeless veteran prepare for a job interview, while Wounded Warriors will do sessions of how to network, he said.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the Stand Down portion will offer information on Veterans Affairs services as well as TRICARE, a U. S. Department of Defense health care program for current and retired military personnel and their dependents.

COVID-19 tests will be available, plus food, hygiene kits and clothing and grooming services so veterans can "put their best foot forward" at a job interview, Conyers said.

"They have to go through every service station and get it checked off that they met with mental health, dental, VA and medical providers before they get access to that clothing at the end of the day," Conyers said.

For more information contact the city veterans department online at coj.net/departments/military-and-veterans-affairs or at (904) 255-5550.

dscanlan@jacksonville.com: (904) 359-4549

Virtual Veterans Town Hall

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System hosts a virtual town hall meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday to provide updates on VA operations and initiatives regarding health care and more.

To join the virtual town hall, access Webex at bit.ly/3tOegl6. Enter the access code, 2760 588 5525, in the text box. Then enter the password, NFSGVHS573!, and select "Join now." To join the virtual veterans town hall by phone, dial (404) 397-1596, then enter access code 2760 588 5525, followed by the "#" key.

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