The Veterans Affairs Secretary, Gen. Eric Shinseki, a Kaua‘i native, has pledged to eliminate homelessness among the nation’s veterans. This initiative will take root on Kaua‘i, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on
The Veterans Affairs Secretary, Gen. Eric Shinseki, a Kaua‘i native, has pledged to eliminate homelessness among the nation’s veterans.
This initiative will take root on Kaua‘i, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e.
Charlene Burgess, a social worker and team leader with VA Kaua‘i, said there will be giveaway items, free haircuts, links to community resources, food and more.
During the afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m., community agencies and organizations can meet with the Kaua‘i VA leadership team to look at partnerships and ways to address the needs of Kaua‘i’s homeless veterans.
There are homeless veterans outreach campaigns being held across the country during mid-October to support Shinseki’s initiative, a VA release states.
The Secretary’s action plan to end veteran homelessness is a holistic approach which provides a full range of supportive services such as substance abuse and mental health treatment, vocational rehabilitation, employment services and housing support.
One of the key focuses, in addition to ending homelessness for veterans, is identifying people who are in danger of becoming homeless due to health, financial, employment and other related contributing factors.
Burgess asks that everyone encourage any homeless veteran they know of to attend the free event.
For more information, call the VA Clinic at 246-0497.
