McHenry County Blog

John Blanchard’s National Association of Systems Administrators Educational Foundation put on its second Stand Down for homeless veterans Monday and Tuesday.

The first was last October. With two months of reaching out beyond the two-day event, 36 vets were involved.

Six gained full-time employment, four got housing and two became Veterans Administration hospital inpatients immediately after the October event.

This time Blanchard believes his group will be able to reach 40—the 32 who went to Camp Algonquin, plus at least 8 more in additional outreach work through mid-May.

At the pizza party at Nick’s last night, he reported on national radio that 15 service providers had been available, that 13 PACE bus passes had been handed out, that one veteran had already been offered a job and that 12 dental appointments had been made.

(More dentists are needed to volunteer their services. The Veterans Administration apparently does not provide such medical services.)

Each time this session of rest and relaxation is held, NASA (really, that’s the organization’s initials) learns ways to make it more successful next time.

This time, for example, it was learned from 8 homeless veterans that they could not stay over Monday night without losing their slots at McHenry County PADS.

Perhaps the resulting inability to spend a night with their buddies relaxing in a large rec room, complete with large screen television and more treats than could be eaten can be avoided next time.

The highlight of the event was the appearance of Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth. You can read what others wrote about that Monday appearance here. I couldn’t be there with the luminaries because my son’s school let out at noon.

I don’t remember seeing a Korean War veteran last October, but one was there with his walker Tuesday.

I wanted to take a picture of a vet getting his hair cut, but the two stylists were there Monday, not Tuesday. My luck.

But, if you look at the front page of the Daily Herald Tuesday, you can find the photograph that I wished I had been able to take.

Before I figured out there would be no barbering, I had a good chat with a lady from Fox River Grover. When I asked her why she had volunteered, she told me,

Nobody should be homeless, especially veterans.

Indeed, there appeared to be more volunteers than veterans.

Having worked with volunteers during my political career, I know they have to feel needed for them to return.

I personally want the volunteer who made the pineapple upside down cake to know wwhe was appreciated!

Last night Mike Iwanicki told me that a woman named Debbie and he were talking about pineapple upside down cake at the October Stand Down and he told her she have to bring one next time around. He didn't see her, but someone brought a pineapple upside down cake into the building with his name on it. I was told she sent a total of three over the two day period.

So, thanks, unseen volunteer Debbie!

It was the closest to what my mother used to make that I can remember.

The problem is obviously getting veterans to make the first step to come to a Stand Down.

They have to come to Camp Algonquin to be served.

They have to get on a bus.

My former legislative assistant Pete Castillo, who is the Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement Specialist for McHenry County, told me of two homeless female veterans he expected who did not come.

Perhaps next time.

There was a big room full of clothes, including a new pair of cowboy boots.

I saw from veteran pick out a scarf, certainly an appropriate choice for a day as cold as this March 5th was.

When I left the room, the volunteers were packing up enough clothing to run a First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake rummage sale.

Except most of the clothing was for men.

Blanchard’s assistants were talking about having a garage sale to raise money for future efforts.

They will need a big location.

That is for sure.

An innovation this year was the distribution of PACE bus passes.

PACE provides, at best, spotty service in McHenry County. (Don’t get me started on the 1974 RTA Citizens Committee for Better Transportation promise of “Public Transportation, When and Where You Need It, Throughout the Region.”)

But not having to pay for ten rides is better than having to pay, if you don’t have money.

Duckworth said she thought she could help pay for such tickets from lottery proceeds dedicated to veterans services.

What a blessing.

One of the service providers really played a salesman’s role. McHenry Scott Ottesen tries to let veterans know where they can obtain medical care.

Locally, that is in McHenry across Route 31 from Centegra Hospital at the Central Medical Arts Complex (620 S. Rt. 31, Suite 4). The phone number is 815-759-2306. It’s open from 8:30 to noon and 1 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

A new idea that NASA came up with this year is a checklist which veterans filled out after they talked to service providers and turned in. NASA intends to use the information provided to make sure that promised services are delivered to the homeless veterans.

Any of the images may be enlarged by clicking on them.

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In the clothing room NASA Education's President John Blanchard talks with one of the volunteers in the top photograph.

Below left is Blanchard conversing with IDES Disabled Veterans Outreach Placement Specialist Pete Castillo. Castillo found jobs for 36 veterans last year.

Next is a picture of the recreation rooom. Below is the dining room on Tuesday at lunch.

Seen next is the yummy pineapple upside down cake and the Camp Algonquin sign with snow all around.

Then, another shot of the clothing room with many half of the volunteers pictured.

Below that is a head shot of Scott Ottesen, the GWOT Outreach Worker.

Finally, in the bottom right is the check list that every homeless veteran turned into NASA Education so follow-up can make sure they got what they were promised.

In the photo identification section is a picture of NASA Education's booth at the Stand Down, where a veteran is being interviewed by Eric Behler.

More McHenry County Blog here.

Labels: Camp Algonquin, NASA Educational Foundation, Pete Castillo, Pineapple upside down cake, Stand Down, Veterans, Vets. John Blanchard