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Haircuts, food, health screenings, job help and counseling offered
WARREN
Area homeless military veterans can get everything from free haircuts to blood screenings at the 2014 United Methodist Community Center Veterans Stand Down on Friday in Warren.
The second annual event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave.
Mahoning County veterans can get bus rides to the event by reporting at 8 a.m. to the United Methodist Community Center, 139 E. Boardman St., Youngstown, or at 8:15 a.m. at the Youngstown Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, 2031 Belmont Ave., Youngstown.
People needing transportation and to register for the event should call the Youngstown UMCC at 330-743-5149 or the Warren UMCC at 330-373-6490.
All services offered are free, said Randi Russell, Warren UMCC program operations manager. Veterans are asked to bring an identification card and their DD214 discharge document.
The event will help veterans reconnect with the VA and get them on a path to finding and connecting with all services they may need, Russell said.
Participants will be offered a free hot meal and take home food and basic needs, she said.
They also will be connected with job-search help that the UMCC can provide through its partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Services offered at the Stand Down include VA eligibility screening, health screenings, medical examinations, shelter and housing referrals, substance-abuse services, employment and job-training assistance, clothing and personal-care kits, breakfast, lunch and snack, legal services and counseling referrals.
Participants who plan to get blood work should fast for at least 12 hours before the event, Russell said.
There will be many agencies on site, such as the Trumbull and Mahoning County Veterans Services commissions, Humility of Mary Health Partners with its mobile dental unit, and Catholic Regional Charities.