Sixth Annual Stand Up for the Homeless Event Coming to SJC

June 05, 2013

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. JUNE 6, 2013 The Long Island Campus of St. Josephs College is pleased to announce that it will provide a venue for the sixth annual Stand Up for the Homeless event, sponsored by the Office of the Suffolk County Executive, on Friday, June 21 in the John A. Danzi Athletic Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the fifth year the event will be held at the College.

The annual Stand Up for the Homeless event allows individuals in attendance to gain access to free services and products offered by a number of non-profit and government agencies, all in one location. Services that will be provided include health and dental screenings, housing and shelter placement, employment opportunities, free haircuts, a clothing drive and public assistance counseling. The blood pressure and health screenings that were provided at previous events resulted in a handful of attendees receiving vital, immediate care they may have otherwise not received.

"The mission and fundamental goal of the Suffolk County Department of Social Services is to assist each of our countys most vulnerable residents with the tools and support they need to regain their self-sufficiency, said Suffolk County Department of Social Services Acting Commissioner John F. ONeill. "Stand Up for the Homeless personifies that mission, and we are proud to stand beside County Executive Bellone, St. Josephs College and our non-profit partners in presenting it.

Long Island Cares and Island Harvest will provide attendees with bags of food to leave with. An additional food drive will be coordinated by The Patchogue Lions Club, while St. Vincent de Paul will coordinate a clothing drive. Free transportation to and from the event will be supplied throughout the day at 10 different locations around the county.

Last year, more than 250 volunteers came out to assist at the event and more than 75 organizations offered free services to over 500 individuals and families. For more information or to volunteer, call 631.854.9748.

The John A. Danzi Athletic Center is located at 155 W. Roe Blvd. in Patchogue, and is accessible via the South Service Road of Sunrise Highway, just east of Exit 52 (Waverly Ave.).