#Middlebury #StandDowns #HomelessVeterans
VETERANS POST
By Freddy Groves
The 2024 Stand Downs are gearing up, with slightly warmer weather now upon us. They’ll run from now until the end of October in various places around the country.
Stand Downs, started in 1988, are one-, two- or three-day events meant to provide services to homeless veterans or those who are at risk of becoming homeless. The services provided can vary, depending on the location and the length of the event, but in most cases, veterans can get help with housing, mental health counseling, treatment for substance abuse, health care and screenings, help with VA claims, dental care, tax help and more.
You’ll likely find food, showers, clothing, haircuts and information about support for caregivers, suicide prevention and legal advice. Sometimes the events are held right on the grounds of a VA medical center or a fairground, city park or other community space.
The list of events for 2024 (www.va.gov/homeless/events.asp) is being added to all the time. So, if you don’t see an event near you, check back. Or search online, putting in “Stand Downs 2024” and the name of your state for events that haven’t made it to the main listing yet.
But no matter what the event includes or where it’s located, it will be run mostly by veterans with help from volunteers. How about you? Are you in a position to step up and assist at a Stand Down? You might be running a van to pick up veterans without transportation. Or you might be preparing food in a tent on the site. If you’re a legal professional, you might be looking over a document a veteran has received from a landlord. Whatever role you take at a Stand Down, it will be valuable and worthwhile – and appreciated.
If you are part of a company or service group and want to host an event, start with the Stand Down POC (point of contact) at the closest VA medical center, or ask for the homeless coordinator. And thank you.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
