76
On any given day, more than 590 homeless veterans throughout Hawaii are roaming the streets, or are in shelters and transitional housing, according to state data.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu’s Office for Social Ministry is partnering with the Department of Veteran Affairs, State of Hawaii’s Office of Veteran Services and the Institute for Human Services to host a homeless veteran stand down and job fair Thursday.
The soldier, veteran and homeless veteran outreach and job fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (registration at 8 a.m.), at the Hawaii National Guard Bower’s Armory in Wahiawa, 77-230 Kamehameha Highway.
“This event is very different from past veteran stand downs held in Hawaii,” said Iwie Tamashiro, assistant director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu’s Office for Social Ministry and stand down event coordinator. “This event brings together members from our faith community, military and social service agencies who will offer immediate assistance to veterans in crisis.”
Interactive workshops on how to update a resume, prepare for a job interview, and how to qualify for government-funded housing vouchers will be held throughout the day.
A special “Vet2Vet” support meeting will be offered for veterans who need assistance, and Hawaii First Circuit Court Judge Edward Kubo will be on hand to discuss common legal issues involving veterans and their families.
The stand down event is not just for homeless veterans, but veterans who may be currently
unemployed or ending their military service without a civil job, organizers said.
