The Compton Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the 16th Annual three-day overnight "Compton Veterans Stand Down" taking place September 14th through 16th at the Compton Resource Center Facility.
COMPTON, CA, September 06, 2019 -- The "Compton Veterans Stand Down" event is the collaborative "togetherness and camaraderie" effort which brings the community into the solution; and is designed to provide social, legal, employment and housing assistance, as well as health and nutrition services to our veterans and their families, while offering them a transitory relief.
Being the most comprehensive "Stand Down" event in the greater Los Angeles area, the "Compton Veterans Stand Down" is coordinated and sponsored by the Compton Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with local Veterans Administration Healthcare Systems, For the Love of Our Veterans, and the City of Compton. The event's "Hand Up, not a Hand Out" philosophy is aimed to empower the veterans to overcome their adversities with the help of meaningful supportive services.
WHEN:
Event Kick Off: Saturday, September 14 at 6 a.m.
Opening Ceremony: Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m.
Culmination of Event: Monday, September 16 at 12 p.m.
SPEAKERS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY
Mayor Aja Brown, City of Compton
Attorney Craig Cornwell, City Manager, City of Compton
Estuardo (Stu) Iriate, California Resources Corporation (CRC)
Walt C. Dannenberg, Director, VA Long Beach Healthcare System
PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES and COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
For the Love of Our Veterans organization, local Veterans Administration Medical Centers, California Resources Corporation (CRC), LA Metro, EDD, Los Angeles Legal Aid Foundation, American Red Cross, DMV and many other governmental agencies and community organizations providing complimentary services to our veterans.
SERVICES PROVIDED DURING THE EVENT
Several governmental agencies and community organizations will provide our veterans with legal services, employment and housing assistance, counseling, VA and social security benefits, all services to lead them to a stable life.
The veterans and their families will also receive shelter, haircuts, hot showers, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits and basic supplies. Local businesses and organizations will also give away a plethora of items. In addition to three daily meals, veterans will receive food donations, and fresh fruits and beverages throughout the event. Participating organizations provide health screenings, dental, vision care and massage therapy services.
The Los Angeles Food Bank will be at the location on Saturday, September 14th from 8 am to 12 pm distributing groceries.
Radio stations KJLH and KLIQ will be broadcasting live from the event site. Live entertainment will be provided, and our local DJs will provide ongoing music. The Metro Experience, compliments of LA Metro, will be showing movies on large screens.
Dr. Lestean M. Johnson, President of Compton Chamber of Commerce stated, "I look forward each year to the Compton Veterans Stand Down. This is our 16th year! Everyone comes together for the sole purpose of serving our veterans and their families: our Mayor and elected officials, City Manager, many governmental agencies, community organizations as well as the business community. The Compton Veterans Stand Down encompasses love, compassion, and an over-all sense of fulfillment! The camaraderie between the veterans is more than can be expressed in words!"
"California Resources Corporation is a long-time supporter of the annual Compton Homeless Veterans Stand Down and we salute the Compton Chamber of Commerce and For the Love of our Veterans organization for their critical mission of connecting our military heroes to immediate community resources," said Todd A. Stevens, President and CEO of
California Resources Corporation (CRC), the state's largest oil and natural gas producer. "At CRC, we champion pathways for all Californians to achieve the American dream and we are honored to be able to provide much needed resources and jobs to help under-served and at-risk veterans in Los Angeles rebuild their lives."
Aja Brown, Mayor of the City of Compton stated, "The Veterans Stand Down is more than an event, it's an institution of service that extends quality care, love, support and encouragement to our veterans and homeless community with dignity and respect. The City of Compton salutes the leadership of Dr. Johnson, the Compton Chamber of Commerce and the entire team that continually dedicates their time, resources and efforts to make this weekend possible."
About Compton Chamber of Commerce Incorporated in 1923, the mission of the Compton Chamber of Commerce is to enhance economic growth of the Compton and surrounding areas by focusing on education, promotion and development of the business community, and those areas of the community affecting business; and to advance business development in order to improve the quality of life and encourage unity in the Region.