www.nchv.org

AHA Sales Contractor Reaches Out To Veterans
When AtHome America independent sales contractor — or HomeStyle Specialist — Joy Messer, from Fairfield, Iowa, decided to collect blue jeans for homeless veterans, she never imagined she'd make the front page of her local newspaper or be featured on KMCD-FM radio. But that's exactly what happened.

Joy's goal was to collect 250 pairs of gently worn blue jeans by September 21, to be distributed to homeless veterans. She got the idea after hearing about Stand Down, an event in Chicago at which AtHome America employees and their families collected blue jeans and later passed them out to homeless veterans. Other Stand Downs take place year-round in various cities across America.

At the last Stand Down in Chicago on June 23, 2006, coats, jackets, shoes and other necessities were handed out to homeless veterans. But according to Joy, "It was the blue jeans that flew out of the tent the quickest."

Joy asked that members of her community drop the jeans at the Fairfield City Hall, where she works as City Clerk. She says she had no idea that homelessness was so rampant among veterans, especially those who served in Vietnam.

She told the Ottumwa Courier (Iowa): "It is just so sad to think that these men … boys … who fought to protect us are living on the streets. I just can't imagine it. There shouldn't be such a thing … at all."

To date, Joy has collected more than 200 pairs of jeans, and says the participation has been "overwhelming." The jeans will be handed out at a Stand Down event in Ankeny, Iowa, at a later date.

To read the complete story in the Ottumwa Courier, CLICK HERE.

Aiding the Vets
AtHome America collected more than 1,000 gently used men's jeans during the company's national convention, July 27-29. AHA independent sales contractors — known as HomeStyle Specialists — brought jeans for an upcoming Stand Down, an event providing services to homeless veterans.

In addition, on June 23, 2006, AtHome America's employees, friends and HomeStyle Specialists participated in Stand Down, which took place at the Humboldt Park Armory in Chicago, Illinois. Inside the armory, there were a number of services available at no costs to the veterans, including vision exams and access to glasses, dental exams and psychiatric services.

Outside, there were a number of other services, such as haircuts and access to used clothing. Prior to the June Stand Down, the AHA Home Team collected 90 pairs of gently used men's jeans for distribution to the vets. During the event, the team sorted through 1,000 boxes of clothing and served more than 300 meals to the vets.

The HelpAmerica Foundation also donated brand-new underwear and socks for distribution at Stand Down.

Help From Afar!
The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the "Stand Down" concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations.
At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment. Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.
That is the purpose of the Stand Down for homeless veterans, and achieving those objectives requires a wide range of support services and time. The program is successful because it brings these services to one location, making them more accessible to homeless veterans.
Lisa Laufer, HomeStyle Specialist from Hartford, Wisconsin, traveled to participate in the June 23 event.

"I am extremely humbled from this experience," Lisa says. "I had a great and blessed day serving with my Team members Jennifer Van Ark, from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, and Kim Pieper, from North Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Hearing a ‘thank you' or seeing a smile on a veteran's face because he had found the right size, right shirt, right jeans … it was PRICELESS!"

Lisa will now be collecting gently used jeans and T-shirts at all her Team meetings. She is also hoping to return in November for the next Stand Down.

"Together, we really ARE changing America!" she said.

What YOU Can Do!

AHA will still be collecting gently used men's jeans and donating them to the next Stand Down, which is tentatively scheduled for November 2006. If you are interested in donating, please contact the HelpAmerica Foundation coordinator, Linda "DC" Curry at <.

You can also help raise funds for the HelpAmerica Foundation by making a donation. For just a $5 donation, you will receive the "A Light for Good" Lantern FREE and all proceeds go to benefit homeless veterans!

CLICK HERE to watch video clip of Stand Down.

Stand Down was established to give veterans and their families a break from the battles of homelessness, unemployment and personal, medical and legal problems. In military terminology, a stand down is a brief respite from combat.

How AtHome America Helped
Since the early 1990s, Lisa, Becky and their talented Home Office have supported the efforts of annual Stand Downs in numerous ways. From collecting donations to serving food, each event has been more rewarding than the last ... and the participation continues to grow. In 2005, more than 100 people associated with AtHome America participated, including HomeTeam members and independent sales contractors, called HomeStyle Specialists.

Visit the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at www.nchv.org.

Stand Down is just one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand Downs are typically one to three-day events providing services to homeless veterans, including food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services. Some of these services include housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies and community agencies who serve the homeless.

The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego, California. Since then, Stand Downs have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless veterans, reaching more than 200,000 veterans and their family members between 1994 and 2000.

For more information, visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/homeless.

The Stand Downs planned for the remainder of 2007 are listed below.

Date	Location	Contact Name		Phone
02/22/07	Dayton, Ohio	Lois	Depp	937-267-3909
02/24/07	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Barbara	Gilbert	414-342-2224
02/24/07	Birmingham, Alabama	Willie	Fields	205-933-8101
03/24/07	Brevard Co., Florida	Bill	Vagianos	321-637-3610
04/16-18/07	Las Vegas, Nevada	Greg	Abernathy	702-636-3000
08/18/07	Hamilton, Montana	Pamela	Mann	406-447-7309
09/07/07	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Bill	Vagianos	321-637-3610
09/08/07	Billings, Montana	Pamela	Mann	406-447-7309
09/14/07	Helena, Montana	Pamela	Mann	406-447-7309
09/15/07	Titusville, Florida	Bill	Vagianos	321-637-3610
09/20/07	Rock Island, Illinois	Sarah	Oliver	563-370-1779
09/21/07	Cherry Hill, New Jersey	Steven	Chambers	610-383-0273
*Fall 2007	Ft. Wayne, Indiana	Susan	Reusser	260-426-5431
10/06/07	Libby, Montana	Pamela	Mann	406-447-7309
10/13/07	Latham, New York	Julie	Laurenzi	518-626-5158
10/20/07	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Larry	Chatman	405-290-1708
11/02/07	Salt Lake City, Utah	Irene	Wallingford	801-581-1565
11/08/07	Houston, Texas	George	Castillo	713-794-7848
11/12/07	San Antonio, Texas	Stephen	Shomion	210-321-2717