What’s Next?
Planning for the 2014 Homeless Stand Down has begun. The Stand Down will return to Cleveland Public Auditorium on Saturday, January 25, 2014. If you are interested in supporting our efforts through volunteering, corporate or employee giving, in-kind, or donations please contact HSD@HandsOnNEO.org.
Intended Services and Donations Provided at HSD
Services: Haircuts, Mini Checkups, Dental Screenings, Podiatry Screenings, STD and HIV Testing, Massages & Reiki, Blood Pressure Screenings, Glucose Screenings, and much more!
Donations: Coats, Boots, Hats, Gloves, Underwear, Socks, Hygiene Kits, Bus Passes, Bagged Lunches, Household Cleaning Supplies,Towels, Linens, Blankets, Diapers, and much more!
Please email HSD@HandsOnNEO.org to learn more about how you, your company, or congregation can support the Homeless Stand Down through donation drives.
HSD CareVan Days
February 1-2, 2014
In 2011, InterAct Cleveland, in addition to the Homeless Stand Down, launched a mobile Stand Down called CareVan Day. This initiative started in response to Cuyahoga County’s push for Housing First, which provides chronically homeless individuals with a stable living environment and intensive supportive care. During CareVan Day, now expanded to two days, teams of volunteers host mini Stand Downs at various Housing First and transitional housing facilities throughout northeast Ohio. Guests receive a selection of items and services of most critical need including haircuts, mini checkups, a variety of winter clothing, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies.
In 2013, CareVan Days hosted 370 guests at six different facilities and a combined 434 guests, residing at seven different transitional housing and low income facilities, received donated goods with the help of 114 volunteers and a caravan of nine mini-vans and cars.
The Homeless Stand Down Impact
The HSD 2013 Impact Report is available for review. You may also view pictures from the HSD 2013 and comment on your favorites!
• HSD 2012 Impact Report
• HSD 2011 Impact Report (courtesy of InterAct Cleveland)
Historical Significance of a “Stand Down”
The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At a secure base camp, troops were able to shower, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, and send and receive letters from home. Stand Down gave battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to respite, renewal and reconnection to family and friends. The first domestic Stand Down was held in San Diego in 1988 as an outreach initiative to homeless veterans.
(Information courtesy of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans)
History of the Homeless Stand Down in Cleveland
The first Homeless Stand Down in Cleveland was held in the summer of 1991 at the Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus. Since the beginning the Cleveland HSD has been unique in that the event welcomes all homelessness individuals and families, not just homeless veterans.
In the fall of 2000, The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless partnered with InterAct Cleveland to host Cleveland’s one-day Homeless Stand Down, and since then InterAct Cleveland took the major role in coordinating the event, which at its height expanded to four full days. In 2007 the event was held over four consecutive days at three locations across the county, including the Cleveland Convention Center, Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC, and Trinity Cathedral and Commons. With InterAct Cleveland’s closing in January 2012, the Homeless Stand Down is now housed with HandsOn Northeast Ohio and is a collaboration of over 200 faith based organizations, social service agencies, and community and corporate partners.
Volunteer with HandsOn NEO year-round at a variety of on-going projects that support Cleveland’s homeless community.