Veterans and service providers gathered at the Seaside Civic and Convention Center on Nov. 2 for the Veterans Stand Down, a one-day event presented by Clatsop Community Action to provide services focused on local veterans.

Josh Davis, Clatsop County Veteran Service Officer, said the event brought together resources for veterans and their families. “The focus is our most vulnerable veterans in our community,” he said.

About half of his clientele are aging veterans, Davis said. “These are veterans that typically served in Vietnam or during that Vietnam era. So as they’re aging, a lot of those conditions that are associated with herbicide exposure and Agent Orange in Vietnam have become really prevalent and are really affecting their lives negatively.”

Conditions include cancer, diseases, heart disease or diabetes, he said.

Alan Martinez, veterans outreach coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System in Portland said his goal was to end veteran homelessness.

“For some people, ending homelessness is just as simple as getting them to an overnight shelter and getting them connected to a medical system and an employer,” Martinez said. “As for other people, it’s more extensive. You have to give people thorough assessments on what resources are available and help people find which are the best fit.”

These may include figuring out what services Veterans Affairs, federal government or community partners have to offer and how veterans can access those services.

“What we can offer the people is access to services,” Martinez said.

One of the strategies used is to “give a name” to every homeless veteran and work with community partners to give unique tailored services to that individual, he said.

Ada Clark, an employment specialist with Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare, said she works with other community agencies to provide access to mental health services.

Clark and her husband are both disabled combat veterans. She said she and family members personally related to the need for programs and alternate access to mental health services.

“Everybody has a different outlook on their service-connected disabilities,” Clark said. “Everybody who has served in a different branch has had a different experience. You can’t generalize anybody’s mental health or substance abuse with one general idea.”

Kathy Kleczek of the Sunset Empire Transportation District and Bryan Simpson of the GO Vets Network presented local and statewide ride options for veterans who need transportation.

Simpson, based in Medford, said his organization enhances veterans’ mobility, access to care and support services by offering and posting rides on the rideboard using computers or mobile devices.

Volunteers Mark Hansen and John Carter, both of Seaside, provide rides for veterans to and from medical appointments. Cris Wilcox of the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of WorkForce Oregon distributed outdoor gear at the event — sleeping bags, tents and other camping supplies to help prepare for colder weather.

She works in conjunction with Clatsop Community Action, the community service officer and the state Department of Human Services to “get the word out” about housing assistance, food benefits or employment. Partner agencies meet once a month, she said.

Operation Homeless Connect, an annual event also held at the convention center, returns on Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features more than 40 agencies and offers free medical screenings, immunizations, haircuts, personal care items, clothing vouchers and a hot meal.