Stand Down Balboa Park 2012

What is a Stand Down?  In times of war, exhausted combat units who needed time to rest and recover from the battlefield were removed to a place designed to provide shelter, security and safety.  Today, Stand Down refers to a community-based intervention program designed to help homeless veterans who "combat" life on the streets. For three days, beginning July 13^th over 1000 homeless vets, their families and some pets will be provided a place to rest, eat and bathe.  Homeless veterans will receive clean clothes; dental and medical care as well as legal assistance, housing and potential employment.

Last year, I volunteered one day in providing Healing Touch in the Alternative Medicine Tent along side people who usually provide care to the frail elderly and chronically ill.  This year, I will be volunteering as a Tent Leader all three days from before sunup to after sundown.

The field that will be the staging area for Stand Down

Park Blvd where veterans will begin lining up perhaps 2 days in advance

The Veterans Village of San Diego organized the nation's first Stand Down in 1988. Since then, the program has been widely replicated throughout the nation that reaches over 200,000 homeless veterans. Today, more than 200 Stand Downs take place across the country each year.

The VVSD Stand Down's philosophy is a hand up, not a hand out. This event is made possible each year through volunteers and numerous sponsors.