Serving the Homeless in Shreveport

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Employees from HUD's Shreveport Office recently joined more than 400 community volunteers representing 100 social service providers, businesses, faith based organizations, and other government agencies at the 8th annual "Operation Stand Down". The objective of this event is twofold - to reach out to the homeless in a collaborative spirit by providing needed medical and social services; and to bring focus to the multifaceted issues the homeless face each day.

This one-stop-shop arrangement of human services offers homeless clients a safe haven away from the streets for one day where they can get food, clothing, showers, haircuts, ID cards, health care, and a wide variety of other assistance. Equally important, Operation Stand Down creates a supportive community atmosphere that can strengthen the self-esteem of the homeless while directing local attention and resources to the problem of homelessness.

About 300 received services at this year's event, hosted by the Salvation Army in cooperation with Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and HOPE (Homeless Organizations Providing Empowerment). Health care services, organized by the VA, utilized medical and dental services from throughout the community; breakfast and a hot lunch was prepared by a local National Guard unit; local dignitaries, including the Mayors from both Shreveport and Bossier City, contributed to the opening ceremony; and social service agencies provided one-on-one assistance to assure immediate access to the network of services available in the community. Workers wore t-shirts and hats with the HOPE insignia donated by local businesses.

This year's event was significant because the day was cold and damp. More than 100 were already waiting in line for some hot food and warm clothing. The homeless often lack identification needed to access local entitlement services. The process of gaining ID begins with Centerpoint, a local information and referral agency.

Some took advantage of the free haircuts by cosmetology students and trainers. All are required to have their vital signs tested to identify those in need of immediate medical care. Mental health professionals referred those needing immediate mental health assistance to local providers. In some instances, clients were taken by van to one of those facilities.

Finally, the homeless participants were asked about the services received. The survey will become the focus of follow-up meetings for the next year's event. The data is entered into ServicePoint, a homeless management information system used to determine homeless demographics and unmet social service needs in the community.

Operation Stand Down is an event that demonstrates the collaborative spirit of the community, from the social service network to business, government and faith-based and community initiatives. All become one to help our most vulnerable and poorest neighbors.