 For Immediate Release Contact: Jason Corum 202-638-2535 ext. 205 jcorum@nlchp.org Formerly Homeless Veteran Provides Hope to Others in Los Angeles Named 2007 Personal Achievement Award Winner by National Advocacy Organization WASHINGTON, DC, September 12, 2007 – Rickie Slaughter, a formerly homeless veteran, has been named the 2007 Personal Achievement Award winner by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) for his selfless dedication to helping other homeless veterans overcome addiction and find a home. “Mr. Slaughter is a tireless advocate for homeless veterans,” Maria Foscarinis, NLCHP executive director, said. “With the growing influx of veterans of the Iraq war – some of whom are now homeless – his efforts are needed now more than ever.”Slaughter began using drugs as a soldier during the Vietnam War as a relief from the stress of combat. After returning from the war, he fell into a two-decade struggle with drugs and homelessness. Slaughter eventually found his way to New Directions, Inc., a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles specifically targeted to homeless veterans. He not only graduated from their program but became a New Directions staff member and a certified Drug Addictions Recovery Specialist. “Too many veterans become homeless when they return from war,” Slaughter explained. “Our residents at New Directions leave with a job, housing, a savings account, computer skills, self confidence, and a strong support network.” Los Angeles has the largest population of homeless military veterans in the nation. An estimated 20,000 veterans live on the streets of L.A. – eleven percent (11%) of all homeless veterans nationwide. NLCHP helped New Directions acquire free federal surplus property at the V.A. Medical Center in Los Angeles under a federal law that makes unused federal buildings and land available to groups serving homeless people. NLCHP has filed successful litigation to enforce the law nationally and has been instrumental in advocating in Congress to shape the federal property law and a companion law that makes closed military bases available for serving homeless people. To date, thanks to these laws and NLCHP’s work, 91 properties across the country worth over $105 million are being used for to serve some 1.5 million homeless people annually. New Directions is using the LA property to provide comprehensive long-term substance abuse treatment for homeless veterans and many other programs. Slaughter will be honored along with U.S. Senator Jack Reed; Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards; Judge Jay Zainey, U.S. District Court Judge; and the law firm Covington & Burling LLP at the 2007 McKinney-Vento Awards ceremony and dinner at the Hotel Monaco in Washington, DC on Wednesday, October 24 at 6:30 PM EST. The Hotel Monaco is located at 700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Major sponsors for the event include: Covington & Burling LLP; Freddie Mac; and Goldman Sachs. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty is dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness. To achieve its mission, NLCHP pursues three main strategies: impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education. New Directions, Inc., a licensed, long-term drug and alcohol treatment program founded by three formerly homeless veterans, has provided food, shelter, and rehabilitation since 1992. New Directions provides services to more than 800 homeless veterans a year through four locations. |
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