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. 

Point Mugu Air Show 2010

It was my birthday August 8 and my assignment for the day was to photograph the Point Mugu Air Show 2010.  Photography and airplanes could not make this day better.  It was an awsome display of the  Thunderbirds F-16s and skill of the pilots.  There were other impressive displays that day, such as A-10 Warthog bombing runs, the F-18 Hornet flight demonstration and other performances, but the Thunderbirds were the center show.   

First Day of School

These first photos are from the first day at Sheridan School in Ventura.  Sheridan is a one of three schools in Ventura County to immerse their kindergarten and first graders both in English and Spanish.  It is amazing that some of the children who have never spoken a word of Spanish will be immersed in 90 percent Spanish and 10 percent English, and vice versus.  The last picture above is a boy who will begin his kindergarten year knowing only a few words in Spanish...so far.  

 

This last photo was a from an assignment to describe how budget cuts in education have caused the increase in number of students in the classrooms.  My job was to illustrate the "crowdedness" of the classroom.  The classroom was really crowded with 34 students and only one teacher to paint all of their feet!  Great teacher, though, she really had everyone under control.  This girl really made this picture.