Enabling veterans

Bill Padgett knows what veterans benefits are available to him and how to obtain them. It's a knowledge he tries to pass on to others.

As a disabled veteran who served 18 years in the Army, he's received benefits through the G.I. Bill, work study programs and even purchased his home through the federal loan guaranteed lending program.

Now, the co-founder of Central Valley Homeless Veterans Assistance Program in Marysville wants to help other vets get on their feet and off the streets by taking advantage of programs that many may not even be aware are out there.

"Only a small fraction of people take advantage of these programs," he said. "We want to make the individuals get things accomplished."

Though thousands of veterans will be honored today in parades around the country for Veterans Day, thousands of others are still in need of help and basic services.

Members of the Central Valley program help bring about these services by offering veterans the tools to get a job or find a place to live.

For instance, the Central Valley program partners with Value Village in Linda to provide two sets of clothing to veterans if they're looking for a job or working with landlords to find affordable housing for veterans.

Padgett said the program has also sometimes helped veterans pay monthly bills.

The Yuba-Sutter program started 20 years ago with a goal of spreading the word about services available to veterans, especially homeless veterans, through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Affairs estimates there are 154,000 homeless veterans in the nation.

Padgett, who has respiratory and lung problems as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, said he still gets medical and prescription coverage. He says unclaimed benefits range from disability and medical care to transitional housing and drug or alcohol rehabilitation to help in finding a steady job.

When the local program started, Padgett estimated nearly 35 percent of the roughly 400 homeless living in the riverbottoms were veterans.

"That number changes all the time," he said. "But we try to help whoever walks through our doors."

Ron Brasier, pastor of Hands Up Ministries, said he runs across roughly 15 veterans through his riverbottom church services, all of whom have benefited from the homeless assistance program and the annual Yuba-Sutter Stand Down at Beckwourth Riverfront Park.

"We all have needs, we all try to fulfill those needs," Brasier said of programs helping the homeless.

Brasier said that at the Stand Down attempts are made to get veterans into the Veterans Affairs system in order to begin getting benefits.

Some of those benefits can also be obtained through the Central Valley Homeless Assistance Program when the Stand Down is not happening.

Padgett said the military does offer transitional services, but the number of homeless veterans he comes in contact with are not familiar with programs - and money - available to them.

"When you're close to discharge, you're looking at getting out, not what benefits are available," Padgett said.

For those who don't know what to do or where to go when they get out, that's where the Central Valley assistance program comes in.

Recently, Padgett said the organization helped a 21-year-old woman and disabled veteran get back home to Pennsylvania. The woman was given a hotel room here until transportation to Pennsylvania could be arranged for herself and her dog.

"She had family there, we wanted to get her back to family support," he said. "She's doing fine. I spoke with her last month."

The nonprofit operates on a $27,000 budget funded from community block grants, the United Way and the Salvation Army. All workers, including Padgett, are volunteers.

Padgett said Veterans Affairs also helps family members who help veterans.

"For older veterans who have family taking care of them at home, the VA will pay them," he said.

"There are just so many unused programs," he said with a shake of his head.

This year, Padgett said, the assistance program has helped nearly three dozen veterans find jobs and housing.

The support, though, he says, is not a handout.

"It's a hand up," Padgett said. "If you want to get out of the streets this is something that can help, if you want to take it."

Veterans day events

• Annual Veterans Day Parade — 11 a.m. starting at Seventh and D streets, Marysville.

• G.I. Breakfast — 7 to 10 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 920 D St., Marysville. Cost: $3 per person.

• Veterans Day Celebration — 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Nicolaus Cemetery on Marcum Road, Nicolaus.

• Tours of Marysville Cemetery — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Highway 70 north of Marysville. Fee: $5 donation; free to active military duty personnel and veterans.

• Museum of the Forgotten Warriors — Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5865 A Road, Linda. Free admission.

• On Wednesday, the Colusa Casino Resort is hosting Veterans Tribute USO-styled variety shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at 3770 Highway 45 in Colusa. Admission is free.

Holiday Closures
Some businesses and agencies are closed today.

• Banks: Closed

• Gov't offices: Closed

• Schools: No classes

• Post office: No service

• Trash pickup: No change

• Transit: No change

• Appeal-Democrat: Open