Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Clay County
Date: December 2nd through 4th, 2022
Location: North Florida Christian Camp
6779 Camp Rd. Keystone Heights, FL 32656
What is a Stand Down?
Stand Down is a grassroots, community-based intervention programb designed to help the nation’s estimated 37,085 homeless veterans and 1.4 million veterans are at risk of homelessness on any given night. Homeless or at risk veterans are brought together annually in a single location for 3 days & are provided access to the resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and help rebuild 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 veterans. The comprehensive end solution is to give homeless veterans stable housing opportunities, employment, transportation and medical attention.
What is the history Stand Down?
The concept of Stand Down, as related specifically to the homeless & at risk veterans crisis, was the brainchild of 2 Vietnam Veterans. Robert Van Keuren & Dr, John Nachison, with the support of Vietnam Veterans of San Diego. The 1st Stand Down was held there during the summer of 1988. The popularity has steadily grown from the original event in 1988 to over 200 throughout the nation each year.