Mortgage, Loans, Insurance, Real Estate, Investment, Tax and Financial Services

NASA Education Provides Services for 110 Veterans at Stand Down

Crystal Lake, IL (PRWEB) November 7, 2007 -- Executive Director John Blanchard of National Association of Systems Administrators Education Corporation (NASA Education), a Crystal Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, sponsors of the Stand Down for Veterans held October 8 and 9 at YMCA Camp Algonquin, has released the preliminary results for the event, which provided 110 veterans with services ranging from housing and employment services to haircuts and massages and featured welcome speeches by Congressman Donald Manzullo and Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

"The Stand Down is more than a two-day, feel-good event for the veterans," said Blanchard. "Certainly, one of the purposes is to express our gratitude and support for veterans in need and show them a good time, but, more than that, the intent is to help the homeless veterans secure housing, the unemployed veterans receive training and work, and generally remove the barriers that keep our nation's heroes from enjoying the benefits of American life they gave so much to secure for all of us.

"People think each Stand Down is history once the speeches are over, the kitchen is cleaned up, the clothes are given away and the shuttle buses pull out of the camp parking lots, but for us the work is just beginning," he said. "Now we follow up with the veterans to help them change their lives. We've already scheduled the next Stand Down for March 31 and April 1."

As of November 1, which was for U.S. veterans who are newly discharged, disabled, displaced, homeless, unemployed, elderly or otherwise in need of services, 12 formerly homeless veterans received permanent housing, 2 received competitive wage employment, 36 received employment services, 19 were registered with the Illinois Skills Match, 7 were accepted into NASA Education's workforce and community reintegration program, Project Fresh Start, and 11 received legal counseling or services.

The following applications were made: 5 for VA disability benefits, 1 for VA pension, 10 for DD214 separation papers, 3 for upgrades to military discharge, 2 hunting/fishing licenses, and 14 registrations into VA Medical Care system. Fifteen veterans consulted with the North Chicago VA Medical Center nurse at Stand Down, and 3 were identified as appropriate candidates for the North Chicago VA Domiciliary Program. Information on how to appeal VA claims was given to 2 veterans and 3 veterans were given assistance in following up on cases. Five veterans received referrals for financial assistance through the McHenry County and Kane County Veterans Assistance Commissions. Three OIF/OEF veterans received counseling on VA benefits available to them. One veteran applied to replace a lost GED certificate.

Fifty veterans were given information about community social service agencies, 28 homeless, unemployed or very low-income veterans applied for dental services and 37 applied for referrals for eye exams and glasses.

Volunteer hairstylists Melissa Adams and Marie Borre from SportClips Haircuts and Krissy Dougherty Chazio's Salon gave 60 free haircuts, volunteer massage therapist Sheryl Roberts of Changing Lifestyles/You Need to be Kneaded gave 50 massages and Lesley Delihant of Trinity Therapeutics gave 9 massages. Healing Touch practitioner Peggy Dickson gave 9 sessions. Clothes, coats, new underwear, toiletries and other items were distributed to the veterans. Twenty-three male and two female veterans stayed overnight in the camp residence halls, and meals and snacks were provided over the two days.

Financial support for the Stand Down for Veterans was provided by grants from the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)/Department of Labor and the HelpAmerica Foundation in addition to donations of cash, goods and services from individuals, organizations and businesses throughout the community.

NASA Education is a Crystal Lake-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with three major projects: Project Fresh Start, a workforce and community reintegration program for U.S. veterans who are displaced, disabled, homeless, unemployed or otherwise in transition; the Stand Down for Veterans, which takes place in March and October of each year; and the newly acquired apartment buildings in Crystal Lake, which eventually will provide housing for 32 homeless veterans while they participate in Project Fresh Start.

For information about NASA Education and its programs, please phone Kathy Chwedyk at 866-338-4968.

NASA Education welcomes donations of cash, vehicles, appliances, household goods such as furniture, dishes and kitchen equipment, nonperishable food, and new or gently used clothing for the veterans.

# # #

Student loan consolidation with federal debt program
If you are a college student (parents please take note), this Federal Government program can help you cut monthly payments on your student loans. You can consolidate now and lock in a low fixed rate. When you consolidate student loans with a Federal Consolidation Loan, you not only can take advantage of these low rates, you can lock in that rate for the life of your loan. One easy process, one low fixed rate, one low monthly payment, one lender. This is a free U.S. Government program (no fees or other charges). Really Great Rate is an authorized agency for this program - you can check your eligibility in a minute or two, with no obligation

Home Equity Loans: Expert Tips and Advice
Get expert advice, tips, and timely information. Manage your own Real Estate and Investment Portfolio to generate an income so you can take control of your financial life and do the things you want to do.

MORE ARTICLES:

Breakthrough Developments in Rheumatoid Arthritis Reported at Federation of Clinical Immunology Services Meeting in San Diego
Feinstein Researchers to present latest genetic findings on rheumatoid arthritis at San Diego conference.

Front Range Professional Climbers to Lead Clinics at Upcoming HERA Climb4Life Event
North Face athlete Heidi Wirtz and Trango athlete and AMGA guide Majka Burhardt support ovarian cancer through volunteer works with the HERA Foundation.

What Will Mortgage Payment be?
Those in the market for a new home can now find out how much they're likely to shell out for a new address with Fizber.com's new mortgage calculator.

Mortgage Loans For People With Bad Credit
There are a number of mortgage lenders that will work with people who have bad credit. When it comes to obtaining a low mortgage rate, the information on your credit report will play a pivotal role in the interest rates you are given. In most cases, those with less than desirable credit will be given mortgages that have much higher interest rates than applicants who have good credit. In addition to this, most lenders will provide more favorable terms to those that have good credit. To get an excellent interest rate on your mortgage, you will at least want to have a credit score of 720 or higher. Fortunately, there is a sizeable market of potential homeowners who do not have good credit, and there a number of lenders who cater to these peopl...

The Atlanta Vision Institute Featured on 'Home and Style' TV
Advances in LASIK and other eye surgeries are discussed by Dr. Farooq Ashraf of The Atlanta Vision Institute on an upcoming TV show.

Coloring Your Home The Right Way
Whether it?s the beginning of a whole new life for you or you?re simply starting over, remodeling and repainting your house to a whole new age is not as simple as brushing up and down. Countless colors, patterns and styles have to be taken into consideration to give you the look you?ve been aiming for. No matter where you are: New York, Chicago or Las Vegas painting your house should take careful planning and the right kind of color combinations to highlight the features of your home instead of mistakenly hiding it.

How Could An Area Rug Brighten Up The Home?
Area rugs can help to add some extra warmth and personality to a room. Discounted area rugs are still of good quality so it is a matter of finding one that you like and that will suit your home the most.

Mobile Home Insurance Coverage
Mobile home insurance is required which has been fairly inexspensive -about $250.00 per year is what I was paying or $30.00 per month. It is similar to homeowner's insurance, but it's written specifically to meet the needs of owners of mobile homes.

Home Needs Met While U K Shopping
UK shopping sites established through internet channels allow UK shoppers to find everything they need to decorate the home. Many other home needs are met while shopping at these sites because the shopping opportunities for UK items are tremendous. Children needs can also be met while UK shopping online and the entire family can be entertained for hours at a time when they search through the listing for a particular form of entertainment.

Weight Loss Company HMR Gears up to Meet Demand for New Quick Start Diet Kits
For the first time, dieters can now use the best of HMR's state-of-the-art weight loss program in the comfort of home. New Quick Start Diet Kits include everything needed to lose a lot of weight right away.

Dr. Michael Macedonia Joins Forterra Systems to Lead New National Security Division: Pioneering Defense Technologist Brings Wealth of Experience an
Forterra Systems, the market and technology leader in private virtual worlds, announced today the creation of a National Security Division that will be based on Orlando, FL. Forterra's National Security Division is a commitment on the part of the company to address the unique technology, business, and security challenges of the sector. The new Division will be headed by Dr. Michael Macedonia, the former Director of the Disruptive Technology Office (DTO) and former Chief Technology Officer for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).

Miami Company Announces Menus That Talk™
Portable device speaks in two languages and is customizable to individual restaurants' offerings.

Considering a Mortgage Refinance
If you are looking for a mortgage refinance, it never hurts to shop around for the best rate and deal. Shopping around could mean the difference between paying or saving thousands of dollars in closing costs, and interest fees?.

Dell Strengthens Laser Printer Portfolio and Services : New Products and Services Address Broader Customer Needs Energy Efficient Models Deliver Com
Dell today announced three new color laser printer models and enhanced its printer services with a collection of ProSupport, installation, and recycling options. With more and different offerings, Dell plans to address broader audience needs with business-valued feature improvements. Dell anticipates doing the same with its monochrome laser printers later this year.