. >> reporter: jack bartholomew knows what a difference operation standdown can make. he went from a homeless client to a tent leader who now has a job, a home, and a new outlook. >> i finally just had to straighten my life around once i found this program, to help me get my life on the right path. >> reporter: meanwhile, he is hoping to clean up his credit and take care of some tax issues so he, too, can get back on track. he says there are thousands like him who have served their country but been dealt a tough hand. >> most veteran, at least in my generation, are young when they join. especially in the marine corps, joining right out of high school and not really knowing about taxes or just anything really. i mean, we're just growing up. >> reporter: jodi hernandez, nbc area, bay news. >> the tent city will last through tomorrow. all of the services being offered at the east bay standdown are being paid for through donations. >>> still to come at 5:00, a wine fit for the holidays, a bay area winery is trying to perfect the art monk of kosher wine. (car horn) paying w

my name is bartholomew, i apologize my application was late. however i'm interested should there be a committee that i can serve on. i've been in san francisco since the age of 14. when i moved here from it new orleans, i walked all over the city, coming from a segregated place, and ever since that day, this city has been mine. and that's why i've been involved in task force in the past. i'm a recovering alcoholic and i've been living with hiv for 28 years. my concern about this task force and wanting to participate is because lesbians and gays who are addicts and falling through the cracks are being incarcerated for a procession of drugs. also, take this opportunity to support my fellow colleagues, marilyn, larry saxxon and -- lange. thank you. >> chair kim: thank you. >> hello, supervisors, those of you that i can see. i'm jessica layman, also a senior and disability action, formerly -- i was going to say pretty much the same things that james said but without the same humor that he is able to bring to it. but i do want to pass on our recomme

>>reporter: shrimper bartholomew one of thousands whose police escorted into the parish today.e found his boat, his only source of incom income, destroyed. his home, he still needs a canoe to get there. >> it is stressful. you have the live someplace else, you know. it's hard. >>reporter: police only allowed these people home for a few hours. just enough time to gather clothes for the back and toys for the kids. it's too dangerous to stay. even for animals. officers are trying to herd these cattle to hire ground. recovery here and across the gulf slowed by lack of power. 90 percent of new orleans customers now have electricity. but 100,000 across louisiana don't. heat index her topped 105 this weekend with no air conditioning. misery index higher than that. >> i can't take the heat. >>reporter: david saint martin doesn't have power so he's hauling a boat full of toys out of his neighborhood. his daughter emily was born premature 5 months ago. she weighed a pound. emily is finally ready to come home from the hospital this week but she can't until the power is back on. >> she's w