Hauppauge , NY – July 6, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Following up on the success of last year’s event – in which over 500 homeless individuals were connected with vital human services in one location on one day — Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy announced that the second annual “Stand Up for the Homeless” will be held August 5 at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.
One of the major components in Levy’s ten-year plan to end homelessness in Suffolk County, the annual Stand Up for the Homeless event brings together the homeless population with numerous non-profit and government agencies providing free services. The event reaches out to all homeless individuals and families – providing free transportation to and from the event and on-site child care – to connect them with a myriad of services available to them.
“In Suffolk County, we’re serious about our mission to end homelessness,” Levy said. “That’s why we’ve pulled out all of the stops for Stand Up. We want to provide every possible service imaginable to these individuals so that they have all of the opportunities they need to get back on their feet.”
Services include health and dental screenings, housing and shelter placement, employment opportunities, free haircuts, a clothing drive and public assistance counseling. In addition, each individual attending the event will be provided with a free boxed lunch, and each attendee is personally escorted by a volunteer throughout the event.
At last year’s inaugural Stand Up for the Homeless event, Levy was able to bring together over 500 homeless individuals with 267 volunteers and over 50 agencies.
Levy noted that the routine blood pressure and health screenings that were provided resulted in three attendees receiving vital, immediate care they may have otherwise not received.
“Last year’s Stand Up for the Homeless exceeded our wildest expectations,” Levy said. “It was great to be able to provide necessities to over 500 people who would otherwise have had to do without. But, we can’t just pack up now and say that’s good enough; we want to go above and beyond the success we had last year, and this year’s Stand Up is shaping up to do just that.”
Stand Up for the Homeless will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on August 5 at St. Joseph’s College. Anyone interested in volunteering at the event is encouraged to call (631) 854-5884 for more information.
