SAN ANTONIO — With Veteran’s Day coming up, several organizations are saluting our military heroes with a one-stop shop of services.

The annual Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event provides assistance and services, such as wellness programs and mental health.

Event organizers say even simple things like haircuts can also help make a difference.

“To hear them talk about where they’re at, where they’ve been, where they’re going, what they want to do,” Aurora Romero a cosmetology instructor at Palo Alto College said. “Just hear that  ‘thank you’ and that ‘I feel good,’ that to me is really important.”

Organizers say the one-day event is a reminder many veterans in San Antonio still need a lot of help.

“Some of them have Post-Traumatic Stress issues that they're still dealing with, some have substance abuse. Others just bad luck that they’ve encountered,”  Carlos Martinez, American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach President and CEO said. “So, regardless of their circumstances we’re here to help them and address those issues.”

After previously being homeless and without work, Ebony Tims has now bounced back. Now she has two jobs and a permanent home.

“[With] My faith in God, I’ve overcome a lot,” Tims said. So, I’m doing okay now. I take it day by day. Of course, there’s still struggles, that’s life. But, it’s not what it used to be, all thanks to the GI Forum and the case workers and the wonderful women that they have assigned to our cases.”  

Organizers say the event keeps getting bigger, but fewer people are showing up.

“What this means is that we are now in control of the situation to some degree,” Martinez said. “We have identified every veteran that’s living in the streets and we’ve offered them help. Those that remain out in the street may come anytime of their choosing.”

“I’m standing here saying that if I can do it, then anybody else can do it, and I’m just grateful to God and grateful to this program.” Tims said.