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

You can be a part of our mission to help Veterans by making a tax-deductible donation!

About the Author

National Veterans Foundation

The National Veterans Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the crisis management, information and referral needs of U.S. Veterans and their families. We need your help to continue. Please donate what you can to help the NVF continue to serve our Veterans. DONATE NOW!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG AND NEWS!

By submitting this form, you are granting: NATIONAL VETERANS FOUNDATION INC permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. (See our Email Privacy Policy for details.)

Related Posts

december 7 support veterans 2023

December 7: A Day to Support and Remember Veterans

2022-1213-250-NVFs-Gerald-Hillard-Mike-Washington-deliver-250-Backpacks-to-New-directions-1

A Sampling of NVF Outreach

Shad-and-Sneaky-1

Update from Prison Outreach