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From YouTube: Veterans Advisory Commission 6-20-2018
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A
Good
afternoon
my
name
is
Joe
Melendez
and
vice-chair
of
the
veterans
Advisory
Commission
here,
City
Council,
our
Chairman
is
not
available.
Today
he
is
out
of
town
personal
business,
so
we're
gonna
try
to
fill
in
his
absence.
Thank
you
for
being
here
and
to
get
it
to
start.
Will
:
retire,
Air
Force,
Major,
Paula,
Smith,
Benson
she's,
not
here
yet.
A
A
B
Good
afternoon
everyone,
my
name,
is
Rhonda
Smith
Benson
I
served
in
United
States
Army
for
three
years
I
deployed
Desert
Storm
is
a
medic
I'm
American
Legion
members,
also
the
founder
of
the
women's
veterans,
command
center
and
I'm.
Currently,
what
I'm
trying
to
work
on
is
incorporate
some
type
of
symposium
or
to
seek
more
advice
from
the
women
veterans
community,
so
they'll
have
some
input
or
what
should
be
taking
place
for
the
women
in
this
city.
B
D
Although
I'm
very
thankful
to
be
here,
my
name
is
Andre
McCoy.
My
service
consists
of
active
Guard
and
Reserve
over
30
years,
I
started
out
in
Marines
enlisted
as
a
private
eventually
became
an
army
officer
tanks.
So
I
went
from
from
the
Marines
to
the
army
and
I
get
these
jokes
all
the
time,
but
I'm
still
happy
to
still
wear
the
uniform
over
30
years
and
six
deployments
four
overseas
deployments
two
back-to-back
combat
tours
Iraq
and
Afghanistan.
D
D
14
different
organizations
so
I'm
very
thankful
to
be
here
and
notice.
The
judge
Dugan
just
came
in
I
wanted
to
mention
why
veterans
and
this
is
going
to
be
a
running
theme
and
they
are
a
civic
asset.
They
help
the
community
in
general.
They
volunteer
more
money,
they
volunteer
more
hours,
they
if
jobs
are
available,
they
participate.
It's
called
a
participation
rate,
they
work
more.
If
there's
an
unemployment
figure
and
they
have
options
to
move,
they
participate
less
in
the
unemployment
figure.
D
They
participate
less
in
the
poverty
side
of
the
house,
so
they
also
make
on
average
more
money
than
the
average
citizen.
So
why
veterans
they
contribute
more?
They
do
more
and
that's
just
a
tiny
piece.
We
have
a
large
number
of
veterans
in
the
state
of
Pennsylvania,
eight
hundred
and
eighty
thousand
roughly,
we
have
a
very
large
number
here
in
Philadelphia
the
surrounding
communities.
Well,
I
mean
communities,
I
mean
counties.
D
E
Good
afternoon
and
I
apologize
for
my
tardiness,
I
was
I'm
sitting
up
at
the
3901
Whitaker
districts
and
I.
Think
I
was
on
the
bench
told
135,
but
again
good
afternoon,
judge
Dugan
I
run
Veterans
Court
here
in
Philadelphia
affiliated
with
many
veterans
organizations,
including
G
watt,
which
is
trying
to
build
a
memorial
here
in
Penn's
landing
I'm
also
recently
been
promoted,
elected
to
chairman
of
the
Korean
War
veteran,
the
Korean
War
Memorial
down.
It
depends
Landing
as
well.
E
I
served
23
years
in
the
army
active
duty
as
well
as
reserves,
Iraq
Afghanistan,
infantry,
paratrooper,
Civil,
Affairs
and
Jag,
and
it's
my
honor
and
privilege
to
represent
on
his
board,
and
the
only
one
announcement
I
really
have
is
that
on
June
25th,
which
is
this
coming
Monday,
this
anniversary
of
the
start
of
the
Korean
War.
There
will
be
a
service
at
the
memorial
at
front
and
dark
streets
at
11:00
a.m.
it
will
be
hosted
by
the
Korean
veteran
Association
of
Philadelphia
and
their
Korean
War
veterans,
but
they
also
are
of
Korean
descent.
F
F
Also
just
came
back
from
overseas
I
was
deployed
over
in
Iraq,
it's
been
about
a
year
there
and
that's
good
to
be
home.
In
my
current
role,
I
said
this
on
numerous
occasions:
I
see
some
familiar
faces
out
in
the
crowd,
but
if
you
haven't
heard
it
yet
my
mission
priorities
for
the
office
and
working
with
the
Commission,
there
are
four
things.
So
we
process
claims
with
veterans
for
abet
veterans,
get
them
service-connected
and
process
their
claims
to
the
VA.
F
We
also
connect
them
with
any
benefits
or
local
resources
they
may
qualify
for
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
We
also
build
out
strategic
partnerships
and
relationships
with
different
organizations.
A
lot
of
501
C
3
s
come
to
us
and
we
see
if
they're
a
good
fit
and
if
there's
a
greater
need
for
that
for
the
veterans
we
connect
them
with
those
with
those
relationships
and
organizations
that
we're
partnering
with
really
important
legislation
on
policy.
F
I
know
it's
a
big
key
topic
veterans
were
trying
to
set
the
stage
now
that
we
can
break
down
and
interpret
legislation,
get
rid
of
a
lot
of
the
legalese
and
bring
it
down
to
layman's
terms,
make
it
easier
for
people
to
digest
and
see
hey.
You
know,
there's
this
legislation
actually
affect
me.
This
is
possibly
actually
affect
me
and
if
not,
how
can
we,
as
veterans
in
our
community,
come
together
to
make
this
better
for
for
the
greater
good?
F
That's
something
we're
tackling
right
now
as
a
as
an
organization,
and
lastly,
like
judge
Dugan
mentioned
celebrating
and
honoring
veterans
celebrating
the
veterans
that
are
here
with
us
today
and
honor
those
who
who
come
before
us
just
some
updates
of
my
in
my
report.
So
we
started
a
remote
policy,
slash
legislation,
team
I
reached
out
numerous
occasions,
not
just
in
this
forum,
but
also
online.
My
social
media
presence
through
the
office
is
increased
tenfold
in
via
six
to
seven
months
that
I've
been
in
office.
We've
gotten
a
lot
of
feedback.
F
A
lot
of
people
will
say:
hey
I
want
to
help
out
I
understand
it's
all
volunteer.
So
please,
if
you
can
still
contribute
time,
I,
don't
care
if
it's
a
hour
here
and
there
or
if
you
want
to
give
me
a
ten
hour
block
to
be
able
to
break
down
a
lot
of
the
legislation.
It's
it's
only
myself,
and
maybe
a
few
others
so
I
know
one
who
has
to
come
forward
and
help
out
contribute.
I
would
be
greatly
appreciated.
We're
also
standing
up
to
things
here.
F
Grants
revenue
fund
which
has
never
been
explored
for
this
office
after
City
Council,
goes
into
recess.
We're
looking
to
get
that
off
the
ground,
hopefully
by
a
first
September.
So
we'll
have
a
mechanism
in
place
to
you,
know,
apply
for
grants,
actually
receive
grants
and
then
use
those
funds
for
things
like
special
projects,
etc.
Throughout
the
city
of
Philly,
on
behalf
of
veterans
and
lastly,
a
discretionary
funding,
still
something
I'm
exploring
I,
can't
confirm
or
say
that
it's
it's
actually
in
place.
This
is
something
that
we're
still
working
out
trying
to
find
a
good
501c3.
F
We
can
work
with
and
partner
with,
but
my
intent
between
both
discretionary
funds
and
grants.
Revenue
Fund,
is
that
no
no
funds
are
and
no
monies
physically
come
through
my
hands
or
our
our
office.
The
intent
with
the
discretionary
funding
is
for
things
like
emergency
funding.
I
want
to
do
things.
We
want
to
do
things
like
scholarships
for
veterans,
helping
out
other
local
nonprofits
501
C
3
s
that
aligned
with
our
priorities,
and
that's
those
of
you.
F
The
main
updates
I,
have
some
of
the
events
that
we
have
lined
up
like
Judge
Dugan,
to
mention
the
Korean
Veterans
Association
of
Greater
Philadelphia
on
the
25th
is
coming
Monday,
starting
at
11:00
a.m.
they're
gonna
celebrate
the
60th
anniversary
of
the
Korean
War,
that's
at
he
said
front
and
back
front
dock
street
team
RWB
on
6:30
on
june
30th.
They
are
partnering
with
Philly
soul,
they're
having
a
Military
Appreciation
game
night.
That's
going
to
kick
off.
The
game
is
gonna
kick
off
at
7:00
p.m.
F
but
the
full
day
event
starts
at
a
10
o'clock,
with
the
tailgate
of
three
information
is
available
on
team
RWB
org.
If
you
wish
to
do
so.
And
lastly,
one
of
the
bigger
events
that
that
happened
in
the
past
two
weeks,
I
had
the
honor
of
seeing
head
strong,
the
organization
that
was
backed
by
a
it's
actually
organization
out
of
New
York.
What
they
do
is
they
provide
free
mental
health
care
and
counseling
to
all
veterans,
all
generations
all
ages
doesn't
matter
what
demographic
but
all
veterans.
F
The
good
thing
is:
there's
no,
no
red
tape,
no
bureaucracy,
it's
really
dependent
on
you
know
your
location
and
they'll
find
your
provider.
It
is
free.
Just
if
you
go
to
the
website,
get
headstrong
org,
they're,
good
organization.
They
only
came
out
about
two
weeks
ago
here
in
Philadelphia,
but
they're
all
throughout
the
u.s.,
so
check
them
out
other
than
that.
Those
are
my
updates.
Joe.
A
Thank
You
Carla
Commission
is
ready
and
it
could
have
any
other
person
of
comments.
Okay,
one
word
Carlo
mentioned
that
I
think
it
should
be
repeated
again
is
volunteer.
We
are
all
very
busy
people
up
here.
We
open
it's
your
time.
We
think
that's.
The
least
we
can
do
for
the
veterans
out
there,
so
nobody
here
is
being
paid
for
be.
We
do
this
a
long
time
and
we
do
a
lot
during
the
week
the
weekend,
sometimes
for
veterans
and
with
veterans.
A
G
G
G
G
So
we've
noticed
that
women
who
are
coming
back
from
deployment
as
young
as
probably
25
years
old,
are
experiencing
hair
loss
for
a
whole
host
of
reasons,
and
we
also
provide
the
units
for
women
who
are
going
through
chemotherapy
and
for
really
there
are
a
lot
of
women
suffering
from
hair
loss.
The
medical
term
is
alopecia
and
if
they
receive
a
consult
from
the
VA
Medical
Center,
then
they're
able
to
receive
these
units
free
of
charge.
G
Not
only
do
we
provide
the
custom
wigs
to
help
them
to
feel
more
confident
to
feel
more
empowered
as
they're
facing
their
days,
and
you
know
going
out
and
looking
for
jobs
and
just
doing
you
know
their
regular
day
to
day
activities.
We
also
do
scalp
treatments,
so
my
husband
is
a
trichology
practitioner.
All
of
these
services
are
completely
free
there,
for
no
charge
for
veterans
is
a
part
of
their
benefits.
Like
I
said.
All
you
know,
the
male
or
female
veteran
would
need
to
do
is
to
go
through
dermatology
oncology.
G
Even
their
general
practitioner
can
write
the
so
then
it
will
go
through
prosthetics
and
we'll
be
able
to
provide
the
services
for
free.
We
have
a
location
in
Morristown,
New
Jersey,
which
is
only
about
20
minutes
from
here
where
they
can
come.
We'd
also
do
consultations.
We
can
visit
our
clients
anywhere
whether
they're
in-home,
you
know,
if
they're
homebound,
we
can
provide
the
services
there
or
they
can
come
out
to
us.
G
We've
been
working
with
probably
a
handful
of
veterans
here
in
Philadelphia,
and
what
we
hear
most
from
them
is
when
they
meet
us
or
when
they
learn
about
our
services.
Is
that
nobody
knows
that
this
benefit
is
even
available
and
so
we're
here
just
just
to
bring
a
little
bit
more
awareness
about.
You
know
what
they
can
receive
and
how
we
can
help
our
female
veterans
feel
more
confident,
especially
the
ones
who
are,
as
I
said,
going
through
hair
loss.
Thank.
A
H
Okay,
well
I'm
a
trichology,
hair
practitioner
and
basically
try.
Ecology
is
the
study
of
the
scalp
and
the
hair
follicle,
so
essentially
as
much
as
we're
also
providing
our
clients
with
medical
wigs.
We
know
it's
important
for
us
to
help
them
also
grow
their
own
hair
back.
If
there
is
some
things
that
we
can
do
so
part
of
that
is
just
making
sure
that
we're
not
also
we're
not
giving
them
products
or
anything
that
can
set
them
back.
So,
as
a
trichology
hair
practitioner,
we
work
with
the
cosmetologist
as
well
as
with
the
dermatologist.
H
We
do
our
microscopic
examinations
of
the
clients,
then
we'll
come
up
with
treatment
plants,
but
we
also
provide
these
treatment
plans
as
well.
For
the
clients
we
utilize,
our
own,
specially
formulated
products
which
are
FDA
approved,
and
these
these
services
are
typically
done
for
six
months
to
a
year
again.
This
is
a
benefit
for
veterans.
It
typically
is
I'm
going
through
fee
basis,
but
this
would
again
have
to
be
something
that
would
go
through
the
dermatology
department
or
an
oncology
department.
A
G
A
C
C
G
We
service
anyone,
whether
they're
a
veteran
or
they
have
any
other
insurances.
Most
insurances
now
do
cover
a
portion
of
the
services,
and
what
we
would
do
is
help
them
to
contact
their
insurance
company
find
out
exactly
what
the
benefit
is,
what
they
would
be
reimbursed
and
help
them
to
submit
the
claims.
A
G
A
You
thank
you.
Thank
you.
We
anybody
else
making
a
presentation.
We
had
somebody
else
that
head
McEvoy
was
not
able
to
make
it
we're
now
going
to
open
it
up
open
forum
for
anyone
who
has
any
questions
or
concerns.
Reminders
has
three
minute
time
limit
any
other
than
at
Kathy.
Santos
Kathy
is
from
the
fella
for
n-double-a-cp
veteran's,
chair
right.
I
I
So
as
a
woman
veteran,
an
african-american
veteran
in
this
city,
I
would
like
to
speak
specifically
to
my
role
as
a
Veterans
Committee
Chair
in
the
n-double-a-cp,
because
I
think
that
ethnic
disparity
is
affecting
how
we
are
approaching
that
today,
throughout
the
VA
system
throughout
the
country
but
specific
to
Philadelphia.
Pa
I'd
like
to
talk
to
this
particular
Commission
here
about
the
Senate
bill,
255
that
totally
omitted
Philadelphia
County
that
report
to
Governor
wolf
in
a
meeting
Philadelphia
County.
I
So
there
are
compounded
issues
now
that
we
are
dealing
with
that
have
been
unaddressed
for
25
years,
whereas
I've
watched
many
of
my
sister's
die
from
these
unaddressed
issues,
I
mean
there's
still
a
very,
very
serious
crisis
here
in
the
women
veterans
community.
Well,
I
would
like
to
speak
specifically
to
is
the
level
of
help
here.
So
we
have
professionals
here
as
veterans
who
have
graduated
themselves
to
the
level
of
care.
So
when
I
hear
the
referral
to
women
veterans,
rahu
are
not
veterans
at
all.
They
are
not
veterans.
I
They
have
not
a
women's
veterans
agenda
and
I
would
like
to
have
that
this
particular
conversation
if
I
would
not
to
be
adversarial
to
what
they
think
that
they're
doing,
but
to
have
a
professional
conversation
about
what
they
are
doing,
because
there
is
a
certain
professional
community
of
women
veterans
who've.
Actually
what
I
refer
to
as
the
foxhole
experience
that
have
graduated
and
taken
on
these
very
professional
roles,
whether
they're
medical
doctors,
nurses
or
whatever
roles
that
we
are
assuming
here.
I
They
did
not
understand
the
languages
about
which
we're
communicating,
and
it
is
proven
that
the
trained
military
professional,
far
exceeds
the
civilian
training
by
80%,
so
we're
giving
these
civilian
platforms
and
unauthorized
unqualified
platform
by
which
they
have
no
relationship
to
the
veterans
community
and
they
have
isolated
themselves.
Purposely.
For
that
reason,
let
me
just
say.
I
Will
say
that
make
this
one
final
answer
we
meet
for
one
hour
a
month
and
I
really
need
to
get
this
point
across,
because
this
is
not
where
it
ends
the
women
veterans
Rock,
which
is
a
component
of
the
filter
for
motor
service,
an
Education
Center.
We
invited
them
to
participate
in
the
agenda
which
sets
forth
a
platform
for
Philadelphia
County.
They
rejected
us
and
they
support
Ada
and
Jenna,
that
is
in
Coatesville
of
Bucks
County.
I
We
are
Philadelphia
County,
and
this
is
where
we
reside,
and
we
need
you
to
consider
that
a
we
move
move
forward,
because
we
will
continue
to
come
down
here
in
this
capacity
to
your
justice
Commission
and
we
will
be
able
to
include
it.
There
is
a
diversity
and
inclusion
issue
here
with
regard
to
how
you
were
deciding
who
gets
help
here
and
there's
bias
and
it's
discriminate
and
its
borders
racism
here,
and
we
need
to
address
it
in
that
capacity.
Okay,
thank
you
very
much
and
you're.
I
J
J
Neighborhood,
that's
being
gentrified
right
now,
I've
worked
there
and
I've
created
a
space
that
is
now
receiving
way
more
help
than
our
great
veterans
of
this
city.
I
am
also
the
founder
of
veterans
in
the
hood,
which
is
a
501
C
3
organization
based
here
in
Philly
I,
have
just
to
expound
on
what
the
last
the
last
speaker
was
expounding
on
and
reference
to
the
fact
that
the
treatment
of
our
veterans
is
not
that
it
should
be
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
J
It
is
not,
and
after
I
was
injured
on
my
job
as
a
police
officer
after
20
years,
I
become
still
being
a
servant,
I
see
something
as
a
first
responder
and
I'm
taught
and
trying
to
say
something
and
I'm
here
today
to
say
something:
we
need
the
help
of
the
veterans.
Advisory
Council,
as
you
are,
the
holders
and
gatekeepers
of
benefits,
resources
and
support
I'm
in
the
outreach
I'm
out
reaching
everyday
and
I'm
in
the
community
every
day,
helping
veterans.
B
J
Right
on
up
to
the
day
haven't
they
have
no
idea
and
a
lots
of
times
about
what
they
are
entitled
to
just
like
them.
When
I
got
out
of
the
military
and
ETS
they
came
back
here
before
I
got
into
military
and
we
got
with
watching
the
police
department.
I
wasn't
helped
either
and
at
the
end
of
the
day
we
have
now
veterans
sleeping
underneath
Kensington
Avenue
that
I
go
out
with
my
friends
and
my
people
that
I
work
with
and
help
to
feed
them.
There
should
be
no
homelessness.
J
There
are
houses
owned
by
the
city
of
Philadelphia
that
we
need
I'm
not
here,
to
browbeat
anybody
I'm
just
here
to
try
to
get
the
support
because
I
am
a
part
of
this
city.
I
worked
here,
I
live
here.
My
children
are
here
my
wife
and
my
mother
are
here
and
all
I'm
asking
for
it
is
to
be
my
one
person,
my
efforts
to
be
met
by
the
veterans,
Advisory,
Council
and
I
work
here
and
I'm
right
now
doing
work
with
the
Karlo,
mrs.
Wanda
Pete.
So
you're
not
worked
with
you
in
the
past.
J
You
were
my
commander
and
so
I'm
just
here,
not
to
cause
trouble,
not
to
be
a
rebel
rouser,
but
to
be
a
servant
and
to
be
of
service
to
you,
because
outreach
is
needed
in
the
community,
I've
gone
to
DAV,
going
to
VFW,
going
to
American
Legion
and
that's
and
they
all
do
what
they're
doing
and
they've
been
doing
for
a
long
time.
But
what
they
do
lack
is
a
community
outreach,
meaning
that
they
don't
go
and
they
are
not
proactive.
It's
more
reactive
and
proactive
is
what
we
need.
J
We
need
a
little
action
airy
and
people
that
want
to
go
out
into
the
neighborhoods
and
sit
with
these
people
that
cannot
get
out
there
disenfranchised
they're,
hurting
and
I'm
here
to
say
that
I
am
here
to
help
and
I
would
love
to
be
able
to
be
a
part
of
what
you're
doing
universe
and
I.
If
it's
a
position
that
I
can
help
to
fill
that
I'm
here
to
do
it,
but
I
do
need
the
help
and
I
do
need
your
support
now
can
I?
J
D
This
was
a
very
complicated
issue,
so
obviously,
in
five
minutes,
we're
not
gonna
be
able
to
solve
it,
but
you've
taken
a
very
positive
steps,
because
you're
here
you're
here,
you're
standing
up
for
yourself
and
your
fellow
veterans-
you've
also
met
with
Carlo
or
you
have
some
type
of
a
relationship
right.
So
the
dialogue
has
started
and
that's
you
know.
That's
key
I
think
that
we
all
hear
that
you're
requesting
our
assistance
and,
at
the
same
time,
you're
willing
to
assist
and
that's
the
only
way
things
can
really
move
forward.
D
Obviously
anything
here
needs
to
take
place.
Probably
afterwards
you
know
with
Carlo
in
his
office
I'm
also
from
the
hood
Fort
Hood
Texas,
which
is
where
I
was
on
a
deployment,
but
there's
a
very
serious
issue.
This
is
we're
all
aware
of
it
in
different
forms
and
it
looks
like
it's
going
to
be
a
long
road.
D
D
J
J
E
What
I'm
suggesting
you
do
when
you
find
a
veteran
it's
homeless
and
you
can't
find
them
something
through
the
system
or
down
at
the
VA.
You
call
me
okay,
because
from
my
perspective,
working
with
in
the
VA
has
a
lot
of
issues.
There
are
a
lot
of
places
that
they
can
go
and
I
deal
with
that
all
the
time
so
I'm
saying
I'll,
give
you
my
card.
You
can
track
me
down
I'm
on
google,
if
you
have
a
veteran
that
is
homeless
and
obviously
that
person
needs
to
be
a
veteran,
because
I
will
tell
you.
E
I
talked
to
almost
every
veteran
that
says:
he's
homeless
or
she's
homeless,
in
the
Center
City
Philadelphia
and
after
I
try
to
vet
them
a
lot
of
them.
Aren't
veterans
they're
using
us
as
a
symbol
they're
using
it
so
I'm,
just
saying
if
you
have
a
veteran
on
Kensington,
Avenue
or
Germantown
Avenue
or
South
Philly,
and
you
can't
get
them
a
bed.
Please
call
me
please
get
in
touch
with
me
and
I
will
do
everything
that
I
can,
with
all
the
resources
and
assets
that
I'm
aware
of
to
help
them
get
to
get
a
placement.
E
I
will
do
that
there
are
resources
out
there.
That's
why
we're
here
to
connect
the
dots
you're
doing
something
out
there.
These
folks
sitting
here
I
see
a
lot
of
familiar
faces
out
there
working
in
a
veteran
community
and
each
one
of
the
members
up
here
are
doing
it.
We
need
to
connect
the
dots,
so
please
connect
the
dot
any
time
and.
B
I
just
want
to
add
also
sir
I
have
some
background,
working
with
homeless
veterans
in
a
couple
of
programs
throughout
the
city
from
a
previous
of
place
of
employment.
So
if
you
have
any
concerns
about
particularly
around
that
area,
you
can
also
give
me
a
call
give
you
my
number
after
the
meeting
I
would.
B
J
Would
like
that
everybody's
number
I
would
be
because,
because,
when
I'm,
when
I'm
talking
to
people
listening
to
their,
what
they're
saying
to
me
when
I'm
in
doing
the
community
outreach
I
would
love
to
be
able
to
say
well,
yes,
I
have
someone,
and
this
is
their
card
and
I
have
someone-
and
this
is
their
car.
I-
would
love
to
be
able
to
do
that
because,
because
to
see
them
begin
to
cry
because
they
are
Purple
Hearts
and
they
have
no
idea
how
they
have
better
and
it's
just
it's
not
right.
J
B
B
So
maybe
we
can
think
about
putting
our
heads
together
and
come
up
with
somewhat
of
a
task
for
the
task
force
of
volunteers
and
we
can
maybe
hit
the
streets
once
a
month
once
every
other
month
or
so,
and
go
and
hit
the
streets
and
see
what
that
looks.
Like
you
know,
in
veterans
bike,
you
know,
veterans
us
doing
the
work.
You
know
I
try
not
to
depend
on
too
many
other
entities
because
a
lot
of
times
we
get
let
down.
You
know.
So,
let's
put
our
heads
together
and
see
talk
of.
I
A
Our
office
downstairs
it's
equipment
trained
to
handle,
handle
all
these
issues
and
work
with
all
the
many
community
people
out
there
in
the
average
kitchen
in
the
community.
We're
ready,
we
do
it,
we
do
it
on
a
daily
basis,
Carla's
always
available.
If
Carla's,
not
there,
the
other
staff
members
are
there.
All
you
had
to
do
is
either
call
them,
no
matter
what
the
situation
is
called
them
or
stop
by
the
office.
I
did.
I
Go
past
a
website
I
think
they
were
doing
a
very
good
job
with
fill
vets.
The
veterans-
it's
a
very
well
well
together,
but
I
just
think
it's
probably
restricted
in
the
demographics
I
looked
at
it
and-
and
it
reflects
this
Commission,
it
only
talks
about
one
nonprofit.
Here,
that's
local
to
the
city.
It
only
talks
about
the
field
about
to
serve
as
an
education
center,
so
I
just
like
to
see
more
diversity
that.
E
Excuse
me,
in
reference
to
the
homeless,
for
veterans
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
While
it's
certainly
not
perfect,
there
are
places
we
work
directly
with
the
VA
through
the
HUD
Vash
program,
congressman
Barbrady
and
a
few
other
of
our
local
federal
officials
have
gotten
all
kinds
of
grants.
There
are
veteran
homes
throughout
the
city
that
have
been
built,
I've
been
to
a
couple
of
the
openings,
one
right
off
of
12th
and
Girard.
E
It's
a
big
giant
apartment
house
that
is
are
for
veterans
who
are
homeless
and
I'm
telling
you
there
are
spaces
available,
they've
been
doing
a
great
job,
we're
making
a
dent
in
it
and
all
those
ones
that
we're
missing.
We
need
to
find
them
and
if
you're,
finding
them,
please
bring
it
to
someone's
attention.
And
it's
fine
with
me
because
I
will
con
the
folks
at
the
VA
I
will
contact
congressman,
Bob,
Brady
I
know:
Carlos
has
assets
the
rest
of
the
folks
that
are
sitting
up
here
have
assets.
D
J
Veterans
veterans
in
the
hood
at
gmail.com
as
I
email,
the
dress-
we
have
a
Facebook
page
veterans
in
the
hood
and
the
website
is
just
about
to
just
about
to
be
launched,
I'm
a
one-man
operation
right
now,
and
it's
really
hard
but
I'm
used
to
it,
but
I
just
wanted
to
address
the
the
homeless
situation
hit
there.
Look
at
that.
J
You
had
to
look
at
what
causes
that
the
homelessness
is
caused
by
mental
deterioration
and
that's
what
I
get
every
day
talking
to
these
veterans
that
have
PTSD,
don't
they
don't
even
know
how
to
how
to
have
a
or
do
a
self-awareness.
So
that's
the
issue.
The
issue
is
the
mental
health
of
these
veterans.
I'm.
J
E
Don't
have
the
power
to
create
VSOs,
we
agree
a
thousand
percent
with
you
that
we
need
more
VSOs,
there's
a
couple
folks
that
are
on
the
board.
At
the
VA
and
they're,
always
asking
in
Veterans
Court,
we've
asked
for
more
VSOs.
We
asked
for
VSOs
to
come
to
everything.
We
want
a
thousand
ten
thousand
VSOs.
We
agree
wholeheartedly
with
you.
We
really
do
okay,.
J
H
E
To
the
public,
okay
and
there's
a
vet,
a
group
of
veteran
organizations
that
are
there
every
week
that
are
there
to
assist
veterans
and
they
don't
just
help
veterans
that
are
in
front
of
me
as
a
defendant.
If
you
have
a
veteran
who's
in
need
and
there's
an
organization
that
can
help
every
single
one
of
them
have
been
open
to
help
them,
but
come
say
anytime,
and
you
don't
need
it's
great.
If
Carlos
brings
you
over,
you
don't
need
them.
Do.
E
J
A
K
Let's
bow
our
heads:
Oh
gracious
and
eternal
God.
We
thank
you
for
today's
opportunity
to
come
together
in
community
to
begin
a
dialogue
and
a
discussion
to
move
in
a
holistic
direction
for
healing
our
entire
city.
We
ask
that
you
would
just
bless
each
person
that
is
here
every
organization
that
is
represented,
and
we
ask
now
for
a
special
care
and
concern
for
our
entire
veteran
community
and
those
that
have
been
called
to
support.