Until every veteran has an ID...

Dear Friends,

This morning, the US Department of Veterans Affairs shared on social media, "Many Veterans experiencing homelessness have faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, VA Medical Centers have been granted temporary flexibility to purchase life-saving goods and services for homeless Veterans" and linked to the following resource: Flexible Assistance for Homeless Veterans.

This assistance is meant to "minimize the risk of harmful outcomes to Veterans such as loss of housing or continuation of homelessness, hunger, hypothermia, poor hygiene, unemployment, missed health care and service appointments, social isolation, exacerbation of physical and mental health symptoms, or contracting or spreading COVID-19." While it covers broad categories, what this assistance doesn't pay for is vital documents such as birth certificates (usually required to get an ID) or state-issued IDs themselves. It's a glaring oversight, as an ID is needed to access shelters, food pantries, jobs, and more. It's another resounding reminder of why we're so focused on #FreeIDsForVets. 

It's also why we're focused on electing candidates who understand ID issues. On that note, we want to remind you that our pre-New Year's party and magic show with our endorsed candidate running for California State Assembly District 38, Pilar Schiavo, is now less than a week away. Register here to learn how to make a Pilartini and join the fun.