Stand Down

What is a Stand Down?
In times of war, exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety. Today, Stand Down refers to a community-based intervention program designed to help the nation's estimated 200,000 homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets.

A hand up, not a handout philosophy of Stand Down is carried out through the work of thousands of volunteers and numerous organizations throughout the nation.


The New York times covered the 2009 Stand Down in San Diego generating community awareness about the plight of homeless Veterans in our Nation and solutions provided by Veterans Village of San Diego.

Donate Online!
 or send us a check made payable to "Veterans Village of San Diego." and mail to: 4141 Pacific Highway San Diego, California 92110.

What happens at a Stand Down?
Hundreds of homeless veterans are provided with a wide range of necessities including: In July (date to be determined) on a Friday morning the gates to Stand Down will open to all homeless veterans who wait outside.
  • They will be greeted with respect and open arms
  • They will be offered breakfast and coffee and fresh fruit
  • Picture IDs will be made for those who need them
  • The VA and EDD will assist with registration
  • Tents will be assigned with tent leaders who are there to assist them in accessing services
Their immediate physical needs will be addressed.
  • A visit to the clothing tent
  • Showers
  • Barbers
  • Medical
  • Dental
There are the many other services:
  • Homeless court
  • Counseling
  • Veterans benefits
  • Employment and job counseling services
  • Acupuncture and massage therapy
  • Recovery providers
  • Shelters
  • Chaplains services
  • 12-step meetings for everyone
And last but not least meals prepared by VFW, American Legion, VVSD, Kiwanis, and supported by the Lions Clubs, Rotary and local food distributors.

Perhaps most important of all is the feeling of safety. For the first time in possibly days, weeks or even months our homeless brothers and sisters can leave their possessions in the care of others and rest.

Stand Down is a place of miracles. Lives are changed and lives are saved. The founders of Stand Down had a dream. They made it a reality, one which continues to offer a true stand down for all homeless veterans.

Who organizes and delivers these services?
Thousands of caring volunteers and professionals give their time and expertise to address the unique needs homeless veterans.

Committees formed specifically to put on the event stage most Stand Downs: What can the public do to help?
  • Your contribution or volunteer time would be greatly appreciated by the local Stand Down committee.
  • You can sponsor a tent downloading this sponsorship form(pdf) and completing/mailing to VVSD. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans maintains an active list of scheduled Stand Downs across the nation.
  • If there is not a Stand Down scheduled in a community near you, you could help organize a planning committee to assist the homeless veterans in your area.
  • Please contact us for information concerning homeless veteran providers and advocates in your area.
Download the Stand Down - A Step by Step Procedural Manual (pdf), written by Stand Down Founders Dr. Jon Nachison and Robert Van Keuren, along with Richard Talbott.

Also Download the Stand Down Program Guide (pdf) to complete the design logistics.

We would also enjoy hearing from you. Feel free to email us at .