Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless veterans. Stand Downs are typically one to three day events providing services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless.
The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego. Since then, Stand Downs have been used as an effective tool in reaching out to homeless veterans, reaching more than 200,000 veterans and their family members between 1994-2000.
The stand downs planned for 2009 are listed below:
Date |
# of Days |
Location |
Contact |
Phone Number |
1/10/09 |
1 |
Washington DC |
Stephanie W. Burns |
202-745-8322 |
1/24/09 |
2 |
Harrisburg, PA |
Keisha Kerr |
717-272-6621 ext.4146 |
1/09 |
1 |
Naples, FL |
Catherine A. Alexander-Ponder |
727-398-6661 |
2/21/09 |
1 |
Milwaukee, WI |
Barbara Gilbert |
414-342-2224 |
2/21/09 |
1 |
Lancaster, CA |
Betty Zamost |
310-268-3508 |
3/13/09 |
1 |
Charlotte, NC |
Hattie Johnson |
704-638-9000 ext. 3011 |
5/30/09 |
1 |
Lancaster, CA |
Betty Zamost |
310-268-3508 |
8/22/09 |
1 |
Lancaster, CA |
Betty Zamost |
310-268-3508 |
11/21/09 |
1 |
Lancaster, CA |
Betty Zamost |
310-268-3508 |
TBD |
1 |
Baltimore, MD |
Patricia A. Lane |
410-642-2411 |
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*Indicates event planned for that month, exact date not determined. TBD stand down planned, date
not yet determined.
For additional information on Stand Down dates and locations, please contact the Homeless Veterans Programs Office at (202) 461-7401.
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