Frequently Asked Questions About Stand Downs

What is a Stand Down?
In times of war, exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety. Today, Stand Down refers to a grassroots, community-based intervention program designed to help the nation’s estimated 275,000 homeless veterans “combat” life on the streets. The hand up, not a handout philosophy of Stand Down is carried out through the work of hundreds of volunteers and organizations throughout the nation.

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. Jon 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.

What happens at a Stand Down?
Hundreds of homeless veterans are provided with a broad range of necessities including food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling and referral, and most importantly, companionship and camaraderie. It is a time for the community to connect with the homeless veteran population and address this crisis that affects each and every town, city and state in this country.

Who organizes and delivers theses services?
Hundreds of caring volunteers and professionals 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 veteran, 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.