Ventura Standdown 2010

At the beginning of this month I was sent to photograph a standdown where the homeless veterans receive shelter, food, new clothing, showers, legal and medical services.  The hope of these standdowns is to give the homeless veterans a chance to try to get back on their feet, though according to some of the Red Cross volunteers who have worked there each year say a lot of them may come 5 or 10 times before they are able to take the right steps to get out of homelessness.  Still, many homeless veterans are able to take advantage of this event and get on the right path.  This year the ratio of volunteers to homeless was 3 to 1.  The generosity of the volunteers was pretty incredible, and was much appreciated by the veterans.

Homeless Army veteran Doug Belden drinks coffee in a tent provided as shelter, Friday, July 30, 2010 on the first day of the three day annual Ventura County Standdown, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counseling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura. 

Veteran Paul McCready from Los Angeles prepares to take his mandatory shower, Friday, July 30, 2010 on the first day of the three day annual Ventura County Standdown, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura.  McCready is at the Standdown to see seek legal council for a $500 traffic violation he incurred in Los Angeles.

Veteran Paul McCready from Los Angeles receives a new wallet from volunteer Madeline Lee, Friday, July 30, 2010 on the first day of the three day annual Ventura County Standdown, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura.  McCready is at the Standdown to see seek legal council for a $500 traffic violation he incurred in Los Angeles.

Airforce veteran Edward Schroeder receives help from volunteer dentist, Dr. Juan Carlo Ramirez and his assistants, Friday, July 30, 2010 on the first day of the three day annual Ventura County Standdown, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura. 

Homeless veteran from Ventura Don Brown combs his hair after his mandatory shower, Friday, July 30, 2010 on the first day of the three day annual Ventura County Standdown, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura.  

Homeless veteran Ted Burk raises his hands with other veterans and volunteers while singing a patriotic song, Sunday, August 1, 2010 on the closing day of the three-day annual Standdown Ventura County, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura. 

Homeless veteran Mike Michaud, left, and Ted Burk, both from Ventura, joke together, Sunday, August 1, 2010 on the closing day of the three-day annual Standdown Ventura County, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura. 

Homeless veteran from Ventura County, Ted Burk(cq) looks around the campus for the last time before boarding the bus, Sunday, August 1, 2010 on the closing day of the three-day annual Standdown Ventura County, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura.  Burk received medical care and clothing at the Standdown, "I like what they are doing here.  It makes me feel proud to be a veteran."

Volunteer Roberta Bramson speaks with Air Force veteran Doc King, Sunday, August 1, 2010 on the closing day of the three-day annual Standdown Ventura County, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura. 

Volunteer Roberta Bramson is emotional after saying good-bye to the last of the homeless veterans to board the bus, Sunday, August 1, 2010 on the closing day of the three-day annual Standdown Ventura County, where homeless veterans are given shelter, food, job counseling, medical care and legal counceling, at the Ventura Armory in Ventura.