The upcoming community outreach event will be held on December 7 & 8, 2023. It will bring together local and regional veterans' service organizations to provide essential resources directly to the community, especially as the cold season approaches.
The venue for this year's event is the American Legion Hall, situated at 11204 Park Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98444.
The 2023 Veterans Stand Down Event represents a unified community endeavor aimed at delivering crucial resources to veterans grappling with homelessness in Pierce County, home to one of Washington State's largest veteran communities. This event serves as a platform for the community to unite, offering outreach services that deliver immediate support to our unhoused veterans, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community before the winter season arrives.
EVENT BRITE LINK
WHO: American Military Families – Action Network
invites you to participate in its,
WHAT: 3rd Annual Veterans Stand Down Event
to End Veteran Homelessness.
WHEN: Thursday & Friday / December 7-8, 2023.
TIME: 10a-4p.
WHERE: American Legion Post 2
11204 Park Ave. S, Tacoma, WA 98444
The GOAL: To Help End Veterans Homelessness
The in-person community outreach event is scheduled for December 7th and 8th, 2023. Over 30 local and regional veterans serving organizations will converge to deliver essential resources directly to the community just before the onset of the cold season.
Stand Downs are typically held for one to three days, during which organizations, staff, and volunteers offer food, clothing, and health screenings to unhoused, homeless, and at-risk-of-being-homeless veterans. Below is a recent news story covering a stand down event held in Jacksonville, Florida: Link to the news story.
Unhoused veterans will have their unmet needs identified, and they will be referred to the appropriate agencies for soft, in-person, on-site referrals. This coordinated effort aims to provide secure housing, nutritional meals, basic physical health care, substance abuse care and aftercare, mental health counseling, personal development, and empowerment. Additionally, veterans will have the opportunity to complete a needs assessment and receive training and placement assistance.
Resource providers will offer referral services to secure immediate emergency housing, while free clothing and equipment will be distributed to unhoused veterans. The following additional services and resources will be available during the two-day event:
This network comprises veterans across the United States dedicated to delivering impactful results to address the challenges faced by the veteran and military families community.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a homeless person is federally defined as an individual or family lacking fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition has expanded to include those fleeing domestic violence or other life-threatening conditions.
The 2023 Stand Down Event comes at a crucial time as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic uncertainties. This year's event aims to serve more veterans and their families than the previous two combined, as the number of homeless individuals, including veterans, continues to rise nationwide. Estimates suggest that over 40,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, with various factors such as PTSD, mental health issues, social isolation, unemployment, and substance abuse contributing to homelessness.
According to data reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2022, Washington had an estimated 25,211 persons experiencing homelessness, including veterans and unaccompanied young adults. These figures highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support and assistance for homeless veterans in the region.
OUR COMMITMENT Our commitment to our fellow service members compels us to take action, regardless of the circumstances. The 2023 Veterans Stand Down Event, will be held on December 7-8, 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of hosting such an event, which is a collaborative effort between over 30 local community organizations, the VA, DOL, and various other agencies. The two-day event aims to provide a wide range of specialized resources, including food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, and counseling services, to homeless and at-risk veterans and their families.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
ACCOUNTABILITY AND EVALUATION
Evaluation is integral to every Stand Down event, capturing connections made and impact achieved. Metrics and analytics will be gathered using internal forms and assessment tools, with data included in the after-action report for future planning and resource allocation.
Mon | By Appointment | |
Tue | By Appointment | |
Wed | By Appointment | |
Thu | By Appointment | |
Fri | By Appointment | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
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