Page 4 - Robert Jesse News Today

commitment to end homelessness among veterans. to illustrate the commitment, the department of veterans affairs is presenting the salvation army are perlite center with a check in the amount of $297,561 to support the expansion of their veteran dormitory. [applause] this money will help support the creation of 10 new beds, so the salvation army will now have 34 beds to serve homeless veterans and their families, and the residents should be open in 2011. i now invite the chairman of the...

>> thank you. today has been a day about honoring our community partners and demonstrating our commitment to end homelessness among veterans. to illustrate the commitment, the department of veterans affairs is presenting the salvation army are perlite center with a check in the amount of $297,561 to support the expansion of their veteran dormitory. [applause] this money will help support the creation of 10 new beds, so the salvation army will now have 34 beds to serve homeless veterans...

it. i think theres much more important time spent to hear from your local leaders. but i do want to say that this is a multi-pronged approach. the va is supported and housing-first approach. understanding getting people into a stable housing is an important first step. as i mentioned, we are equally committed to providing the health care, mental health, education, jobs, training, all the things required to end the vicious cycle of homelessness. we have nearly 25,000 veterans in permane...

that we are going to get this done. and i have -- a little love from the california state senate. yes, were busted, but we put this together to be able to bring you this recognition today and in thanking the san franciscos veteran administration medical center, and of course our great friends of the salvation army here at the harbor light centered for joining forces, for the check presentation, which will be made in a moment, in support of this expansion. of course, this does not solve...

supervisor avalos: good morning. welcome to the city operations and never had services committee. my name is supervisor john avalos, the chair the committee. joined by supervisor eric mar. the other member of the committee will be absent today, supervisor sean elsbernd. can we get a motion to excuse his absence? so done, without objection. were also joined right now by supervisor david campos. the clerk of the committee is ms. gail johnson. can you share announcements? >> all persons a...

this is a tragic and shameful. and the veterans administration, partnering with the salvation army and so many others, are doing specifically the right thing. there are many causes, of course, for homelessness. one loses a job. they are at risk of homelessness. it increases exponentially. of course, with three-quarters of our veterans dealing with issues of alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and mental health issues, keeping a job and stabilizing in ones life is merely becomes impossible....

veterans by 2015. no doubt here. no doubt here. [applause] i am here in ottawa celebrate the additional beds, which are absolutely needed, but theyre also want to make sure i say this -- people who have served in our armed forces, thank you very much. to wipe everything you have done but you have been there for us. it is a return to be here for you. -- thank you for everything you have done. thank you for your service to our country. [applause] our work at the local level, as dr. jesse...

today and in thanking the san franciscos veteran administration medical center, and of course our great friends of the salvation army here at the harbor light centered for joining forces, for the check presentation, which will be made in a moment, in support of this expansion. of course, this does not solve the problem. as we say in jewish tradition, were taught that ours is not to complete the task. neither is it for us not to begin in it. today we begin the task. if i may present thi...

and there are posters in the back. so please take those pedometer read one from this that really struck me. the words homelessness and veterans should never be used together. our next speaker is mark leno, california state senator, representing californias third senate district in the marin county democrats of sonoma, and san francisco cantu. he chairs the senate budget and fiscal review committee is, and he has been a longtime friend and advocate of the va and veterans. please welcome...

>> our next speaker is edwin lee, mayor of san francisco. he first began working for the city and county of san francisco in 1989 as the investigator for the citys first whistleblowing ordinance and has since served as executive director of the human rights commission, director of the city purchasing, and director of the department of public works before he was first appointed as the city administrator in 2005. please join me in welcoming mayor lee. [applause] >> that is good. she said...