In an effort to provide the homeless and veteran populations in Lee County with access to essential goods and services, the Lee County Homeless Coalition will host the 23rd annual Homeless Service Day and Veterans Stand Down on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The event will take place at City of Palms Park & Sports Complex at 2201 Edwards Ave., Fort Myers, from 8:45 a.m. until approximately noon. Services provided during the event to anyone who is homeless will include provisions for food, hygiene kits, backpacks, flu shots, haircuts and information on VA benefits. Referrals for substance abuse and mental health counseling will also be available.

During the event, the Lee County Homeless Coalition will complete its Annual Homeless Census, which provides critical information on the scope of homelessness in our community.

For the second year, the Coalition has partnered with the Lee County Clerk of Courts and the Lee County Tax Collector offering Traffic Court for Veterans and people experiencing homelessness to provide an opportunity to receive assistance with their unpaid court fines. Attendees must register HERE by Thursday, Jan. 26 to participate. A valid government-issued ID is required, such as a DD214, VA card, birth certificate, or driver’s license.

“A Stand Down is a military term used to describe a brief respite from combat where they could access a variety of services,” shared Therese Everly, executive director. “Our hope is to help homeless individuals get what they need by providing these services in a one-stop setting.”

At no charge, the effort to provide these “one-stop” services in one day is a collaborative endeavor which includes several agencies and civic organizations committed to supporting the needs and services of the homeless. There are over 20 agencies registered to attend this year.

The Lee County Homeless Coalition is a non-profit organization comprised of community and faith-based service providers, local businesses, people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, and other advocates committed to ending homelessness. The Coalition’s mission is to advocate, educate and promote awareness of issues and obstacles facing homeless individuals in Lee County through community collaboration, planning, and implementing solutions.

To learn more about how you can help join the fight against homelessness, contact Therese Everly at 239-322-6600. For more information on the Lee County Homeless Coalition, visit www.leehomeless.org.