Veteran’s Village of San Diego hosts 22nd annual 'Stand Down For Homeless Veterans' July 17-19
Veteran’s Village of San Diego’s National Stand Down for Homeless Veterans is just around the corner. Beginning on Monday, July 13, United States Marines and Naval personnel and community volunteers will join with staff, alumni and residents of Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) to begin building Stand Down 2009 on the upper athletic field of San Diego High School.
Hosted and underwritten by VVSD, Stand Down is designed to provide a wide range of specialized services at one location that can be readily accessed by San Diego’s homeless veteran population. Some of the services that will be provided include: creating a community of veterans; shelter; food; clothing; showers; haircuts; medical and dental services; legal assistance; homeless court; mental health and substance abuse counseling; assistance with Veteran’s Administration benefits and help with job placement.
Over the years the need for Veteran’s Village of San Diego’s National Stand Down has grown substantially. The men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and have once again joined the civilian community are facing homelessness because of the unseen wounds of war: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). VVSD’s Warrior Traditions and Veterans Rehabilitation Center programs, the VA OIF/OEF outreach team and counseling services and other community services will be there for them.
WHERE
Upper athletic field of San Diego High School, 1405 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
WHEN
6 a.m. Monday, July 13 through 5 p.m. Thursday, July 14 – Set Up
6 a.m. Friday, July 17 -- Stand Down opens and the participants who have been lining up on Park Blvd enter the gates
10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18 -- VIP presentation with Congresswoman Davis; Congressman Filner; Assembly Members Fletcher, Salas and Saldaña; San Diego City Council members Emerald and Gloria and other state and local officials
2 p.m. Sunday, July 19 -- Stand Down Graduation. Those who have received services all weekend long receive Stand Down hats and pins and other items
NEED FOR SUPPORT
Stand Down is possible exclusively through the generous support and participation of nearly150 organizations and 2,500 volunteers. All of the money raised is used only for goods and services provided, not salaries or administrative overhead. Anyone interested in volunteering should call (619) 393-2011. To make a contribution to Stand Down, please call (619) 497-0142 and ask for the Stand Down Coordinator. VVSD is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.