NVF Outreach Mission to Echo Park Homeless Community

Shad with Air Force Veteran Marvin

Its name says what it is, almost. A park with a lake, it’s about two miles from downtown LA. Lately, it’s been in the news because its large homeless community was recently cleared. The move drew criticism from the ACLU and from some in City Hall. 

As it happens, the NVF had just run an Outreach mission to Echo Park homeless community and the surrounding areas. Homelessness means no fixed address, which translates to being not just off the grid, but in many cases, invisible. 

But this day was unusual. Our counselors were carrying a very special message to all the homeless they met, whether they were Veterans or not: clear information on how to claim Economic Impact payments. The flyer explained the stimulus checks of $1400.00 could be sent to a post office, church or homeless shelter. 

No bank account? No problem!! Funds could also be put on a debit card mailed to one of those options above. The men and women we met had no idea they were not only entitled to receive federal stimulus checks, but also able to claim them without a fixed address. The checks represent quite a windfall. How did we find out about the program? That’s what we do.  Thanks, in this case, to Melinda Meshad, licensed social worker, who helps with our Women Vets program.   

More photos of NVF staff and volunteers conducting street outreach around Greater Los Angeles