On Wednesday, March 4th, we attended our second year in a row at the U.S. Vets Stand Down & Hiring Fair. This was a great opportunity to get our boots on the ground and gather firsthand experiences. We were able to speak with veterans on personal issues and challenges that may be preventing them from acquiring stable housing. This can be due to, but not limited to, medical and behavioral challenges, lack of work, or the difficulty of finding someone willing to give them a second chance. This event also provided us a chance for networking with other services and providers who help veterans, learning about resources that our current tenants could find useful. When looking at the event, it is a great gathering of resources for veterans to utilize and receive for free.
For housing, U.S. Vets themselves were offering to pay the first three (3) months’ rent and the security deposit for veterans who qualified for the SSVF program. Typically, there is a long wait for this program, but for the event specifically, those who qualified were approved the same day. There were veteran specific housing services at the event, like veteran only communities and transitional housing companies to provide support. There was a mortgage company, working with veterans to buy their own homes instead of rent. When it comes to supporting the community and uplifting those in need, like veterans, there is no competition, only collaboration between housing providers.
Besides housing, there were many other resources. Medically, there were representatives from major hospitals and insurance companies. There were also smaller, local, businesses offering insurance and care. There was a company who specialized in transporting veterans to and from their medical appointments. As well as companies who specialized in at-home care. In the back of the event center, there were free medical screenings and check-ups available. Besides physical health, there were many representatives who advocate for the mental health of these veterans. There were therapists, behavioral health specialists, and psychiatrists who were offering their services to veterans. Next to the mental health section, an area where veterans can receive grooming services for free was stationed, allowing veterans to feel good and look good.
Many different companies were there offering jobs and interviews for veterans, from bartending school to cyber-security. There were representatives from hotels, companies who specialize in trades, and general employment companies like EmployNV and Goodwill Careers. The presence of these employers provides an accelerated recruitment process for these veterans, bypassing hiring robots and automated systems. This also offers interviewing practice for these veterans, allowing them an easier transition to civilian life.
This event also provided communities for these veterans. There were different veteran service organizations, representing different posts and chapters. This brings veterans together who may be in likeness of each other, even if it’s just in how they served. There were different organizations who advocate for veteran rights, all looking to provide support and communities to veterans.
Ultimately, attending the Stand Down is about more than just a single day of networking; it is about building a lasting ecosystem of support. By strengthening these partnerships and keeping our fingers on the pulse of veteran resources, we ensure that our impact extends far beyond the event center. We walked away not just with new contacts, but with a renewed commitment to ensuring every veteran we serve has the tools, the community, and the dignity they deserve to thrive.
