DETROIT -- The 15th Annual Southeastern Michigan Veterans Stand Down will serve more than 600 veterans in two days who are at homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The Stand Down offers so many services in just one place, including help with state identification cards and driver's licenses. Behind a curtain they actually hold court, clearing up traffic tickets and other legal matters.
There are an estimated 3,000 homeless veterans in Southeast Michigan and over the last several years a 14 to 22 percent increase in the number of homeless vets in the Detroit-area.
"It's worse because of the economy, especially in (the) Detroit-area with the auto industry, people losing their homes. We're here to take care of our fellow veterans," said Norm "Gunny" Wilcox.
"Fortunately, there's a wave of patriotism, so we're finding that lots of employers are very receptive to wanting to hire the troops," said Tyrone Chatman from the Michigan Veterans Foundation.
However, there is always a need for more employers to hire people like John Shelton. Now living at the vet center, he worked in a factory for more than 20 years and is learning new skills.
"I hoping to start school in January for heating and cooling ventilation, which is a one year program, and hopefully housing and all that will come about," he said.
He knows so many veterans come home with physical and mental issues.
"I thank God that these programs are available for us because without them, it'd be real difficult for us to succeed."
Karen Mitchell, a single mom with three children, is also looking for job opportunities, but right now she is concerned she and her children are at risk of becoming homeless.
"A lot of veterans are homeless, and we have a hard time getting back adjusted to regular life, so that's what I'm getting help with today," she said.
That's what the Veterans Stand Down is all about.
"Anything that we can take care of to give them a hand up not a hand out," Wilcox said.
"Seems to me that if there's any population that's deserving of whatever it is that we can do to help them, it has to be our nation's defenders," Chatman said.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:40 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:40:28 GMT
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tucker Cipriano, the teenager accused of attacking his family and killing his father, is set to go on trial Monday. However, we've learned his family is stepping up its fight to head off that trial.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:44 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:44:05 GMT
Fox 2 News has learned that the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled against Mike Duggan and will not overturn a previous ruling that deemed his candidacy to run for mayor of Detroit as ineligible.
Fox 2 News has learned that the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled against Mike Duggan and will not overturn a previous ruling that deemed his candidacy to run for mayor of Detroit as ineligible.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:18:12 GMT
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Chrysler avoided a showdown with government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:53:04 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
The Detroit Red Wings have confirmed to FOX 2 that they have agreed to a 3 year contract extension with Pavel Datsyuk that will keep him with the team through the 2016-2017 season.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:08 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:08:18 GMT
Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:02 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:02:29 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:44 AM EDT2013-06-18 12:44:22 GMT
DTE Energy says about 17,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.
DTE Energy says about 20,000 customers remain without power Tuesday after a wave of thunderstorms hit parts of southeast Michigan. GO INSIDE THE STORY TO VIEW AND ADD YOUR PHOTOS.
