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STAND DOWNS
Stand Downs
are 1-3 day safe havens for homeless veterans that provide a variety of
services and a positive means for VA and community-based homeless providers
to reach more homeless veterans. Stand downs give homeless veterans a
temporary place of safety and security where they can obtain food, shelter,
clothing and a range of community and VA assistance. In many locations VA
provides health screenings, referral and access to long-term treatments,
benefits counseling, ID cards and linkage with other programs to meet their
immediate needs. VA participated in 179 stand downs run by local coalitions
in various cities in calendar year 2000. Surveys show that more than 34,000
veterans and family attended these events held in 47 states and the District
of Columbia. More than 20,000 volunteers contributed to this effort.
What is the history of Stand Down?
The concept of Stand Down, as related specifically to the
homeless veteran crisis, was the brainchild of two Vietnam Veterans, Robert
Van Keuren and Dr. John Nachison. The first Stand Down was held in San Diego
during the summer of 1988. The popularity of the event has steadily grown
from the original in 1988 to some 80 yearly throughout the nation. It is
estimated that as many as 100,000 homeless veterans have received assistance
at Stand Downs.
Who organizes and delivers these services?
Hundreds of caring volunteers and professional give of their
time and expertise to address the unique needs of homeless veterans.
Committees formed specifically to put on the event stage most Stand Downs.
Veteran service organizations, National Guard and Reserve Units, homeless
shelter programs, health care providers, US Department of Veterans Affairs
and labor staffs, veteran-helping-veteran programs, and concerned citizens
from the community organize and stage the events.
Where are Stand Downs held?
Stand Downs most often occur over a two or three day period,
although there have been a handful of one day events. Some are held indoors,
but the majorities are held on football fields, parks, or other wide-open
spaces.
What does it take to stage a Stand Down?
There is no specific formula to plan and hold a Stand Down.
In fact, each community adds its own uniqueness to a Stand Down. Some offer
basic services, while others offer more by including entertainment and
cultural activities in the agenda. Some Stand Downs are re-created to follow
a regimented, military-style program, which is familiar and comforting to
the veterans, and yet others create an atmosphere of empowerment to the
extent of electing officers among the homeless veterans.
All it really takes for a community to organize a Stand Down
is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to assisting homeless veterans
improve their situation.
VA Assistance to Stand Downs
VA programs
and staff have actively participated in each of the Stand Downs for Homeless
Veterans run by local coalitions in various cities each year. In wartime
Stand Downs, front line troops are removed to a place of relative safety for
rest and needed assistance before returning to combat. Similarly, peacetime
Stand Downs give homeless veterans 1-3 days of safety and security where
they can obtain food, shelter, clothing, and a range of other types of
assistance, including VA provided health care benefits certification, and
linkages with other programs.
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