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MASSACHUSETTS STAND DOWN
August 2010
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Stand Down refers to a grassroots, community-based intervention program designed to help the nation’s estimated 200,000 homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets. Homeless and at risk veterans are brought together in a single location for one to three days and are provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and rebuilding their lives. In the military, Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. Today’s Stand Down affords the same opportunity to homeless and at risk veterans.
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Stand Downs are one part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ efforts to provide services to homeless and at risk 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, & community agencies who serve the homeless. The first Stand Down was organized in 1988 by a group of Vietnam veterans in San Diego.
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For over 15 years the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA BHS) has been helping to organize Stand Down. Serving homeless veterans has always been the main focus of the Stand Down but this year, the VA BHS has teamed up with non-profit human service provider, Volunteers of America Massachusetts, to continue to provide critical services to homeless veterans while expanding the reach to veterans who are also at-risk and in need of help.
For more information on participating in Stand Down 2010
please contact:
George Mathieson, Volunteers of America Massachusetts
MassStandDown@voamass.org – 617-522-8086, Ext 228
Download the Massachusetts Stand Down Brochure Here >>>