Pittsburgh, PA – November 18, 2017
MyWay Mobile Storage is pleased to have joined with Operation Troop Appreciation (OTA) to support “Stand Down Pittsburgh,” a day-long services fair for local veterans who are experiencing homelessness or have housing instability that puts them at risk of homelessness. Each year, Stand Down offers veterans breakfast and lunch and provides access to 60 health and community service providers, entertainment, barbers, clothing, and essential supplies.
Federal statistics show that the number of homeless veterans declined about 47% between 2009 and 2016 to approximately 40,000 nationwide. Almost 1,200 veterans in Pennsylvania were reported homeless in 2016. Trends in Western Pennsylvania have also showed decline, but advocates note that there is no number above zero that’s an acceptable number of homeless veterans.
“According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, young male veterans ages 18 through 24 who served after 9/11 have an unemployment rate of 29% compared with less than 18% for non-veterans,” said Monica “Mo” Orluk, President and COO of Operation Troop Appreciation. “It’s a shame, but the 1.4 million veterans in poverty have the highest chance of experiencing homelessness of any group.”
Ed Sickmund, MyWay Mobile Storage owner, said, “We have worked with OTA in the past and were happy to help by providing storage containers to move the personal care items and blankets from OTA’s warehouse to the Stand Down event at Stage AE where the items could be distributed to veterans.” Sickmund continued, “Stand Down, organized by Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, is a terrific event that is so important to support veterans in the Pittsburgh area.”
“This event is an example of how tremendous teamwork and community support can improve the lives of veterans and their families,” said Ms. Orluk
Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of being homeless can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak to trained VA counselors.
Operation Troop Appreciation:
OTA’s mission is to build and sustain the morale and well-being of the military community, past and present, with the assurance that the American public supports and appreciates their selfless service and daily sacrifices. OTA’s Welcome Home program extends the tradition of house-warming gifts by providing gifts that help veterans and their families establish residence. Moving into a new home can be stressful and costly. A critical component of veterans’ full recovery and transition into civilian life is that they be healthy, rested, and comfortable. To that end, OTA provides these families with a good bed and mattress, and essential household items to give them the best possible environment in which to live. OTA also provides active duty military support by providing entertainment items, food, and various personal care items to deployed troops. To learn more about OTA, visit http://operationtroopappreciation.org/.
Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania:
The mission of Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania (VLP) is to provide essential housing, employment, and vital support services to eligible local Veterans, service members, and their families with the goal of improving their self-sufficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. VLP has grown to be one of the largest providers of subsidized housing for Veterans and their families in Western Pennsylvania and operates two of the nation’s most effective Veteran employment programs. To learn more about Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania, visit http://www.vlpwpa.org/.
About MyWay Mobile Storage:
MyWay Mobile Storage is the leading provider of moving and storage solutions and located in a spacious 25,000 square foot facility in West Mifflin, PA to better service their customers in the metropolitan Pittsburgh area. They provide quick and easy do it yourself moving containers that can be delivered right to your door and stored in their climate controlled, secure storage facilities. MyWay Mobile Storage is a member of the South West Communities Chamber of Commerce (SWCCOC). Sickmund and Myway Mobile Storage are also involved with the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Business Networking International (BNI), and the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (RAMP).
To learn more about MyWay Mobile Storage, visit https://www.mywaystorage.com or call 888-336-9929 to speak with a Moving & Storage Consultant.