Military

Economy Draws More Homeless Vets to S.D. Event

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter

Published July 20, 2009 at 1:16 PM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

The economic recession didn't stop volunteers from extending a helping hand to San Diego's homeless veterans at this year's annual Stand Down event.

The economic recession didn't stop volunteers from extending a helping hand to San Diego's homeless veterans. Many of the volunteers were active military.

Organizers of the three day Stand Down event were prepared for more people this year because of the economy. But what concerns Phil Landis with Veterans Village of San Diego is the growing number of female vets.

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"We had 51 women this year. Normally we'd have maybe in the 20s," says Landis.

For the past 22 years the Veterans Village of San Diego has put on the event --now a model for others across the country. Landis says at least 928 people were served this year. Almost 100 more than a year ago.

"The population range looked like between 40 and 55. And a lot of little kids," says Landis.

The Veterans Village of San Diego serves about 1,600 to 1,700 homeless veterans a year.

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Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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