Stand Down aids 153 homeless vets

The South Bay Stand Down in Boulder Creek served 153 homeless veterans last weekend, up from 142 at the most recent event in 2007.
“It was a big success,” coordinator Kate Severin said. “There were more women this time. I was pleased to see we better outreached our female vets this year.”
Twelve female veterans were served this year, up from eight at the 2007 event, which takes places every two years in Boulder Creek.
Severin said transportation for veterans from 11 sites in five counties to the event ran smoothly.
The dental services proved popular and were used by 121 veterans this year, making up 79 percent of the participants. The court services were also maximized, but exact numbers are not yet known, Severin said.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles produced 28 new identification cards for the veterans at the event. Severin said she was very impressed that the DMV worked in coordination with the event’s court services to help clear driving records.
“One judge personally walked one of the vets to the DMV tent to get information to clear his record,” Severin said. “It was pretty great.”