Homeless Vets Event Finds Home in Westlake Village

A Christian school and church in Westlake Village have rallied to aid Ventura County’s homeless veterans by volunteering their joint campus as the new home of the Stand Down outreach program.

The annual event will be held July 18-20 at Oaks Christian School, which shares parking and cafeteria facilities with Calvary Community Church on the north side of the Ventura Freeway near Lindero Canyon Road.

Organizers couldn’t use the Ventura College football field as they have in the past because of construction scheduled there.

Oaks Christian School and Calvary Community Church “have opened their arms to us,” said Stand Down coordinator Claire Hope of Camarillo. “After months of searching, we finally found a site. For a while, I didn’t think we’d have a Stand Down at all this year.”

Stand Down refers to the time when troops can rest and recover during combat, and the event is open to any homeless veteran and his or her family.

Participants receive free meals, haircuts, clothing, medical treatment, legal services, employment counseling, housing information and lists of benefits and other government services.

The program usually includes workshops on Agent Orange, substance abuse and stress reduction. Homeless participants are given free transportation to and from the event.

Lawyers, along with a Ventura County Superior Court judge, will donate their time to handle misdemeanor warrants and convictions on behalf of the veterans.

Calvary spokeswoman Denise Davis said the school was happy to help.

“We’re delighted to have them on campus and being given an opportunity to support the vets,” she said.