SACRAMENTO STAND DOWN ASSOCIATION

WELCOMES YOU TO:
THE SACRAMENTO STAND DOWN
 

2007 WAS THE 16TH YEAR OF SERVING HOMELESS VETERANS
IN THE SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA AREA

THE STATISTICS FOR THE 2007 STAND DOWN

Total Participants:      468      Total Veterans Registered:  407
Total Dependents:         61       Veterans Overnight:            335
Veterans for just days: 72       Overnight Dependents:          50
Dependents for days:      11       Male Veterans:                      387
Male Dependents:            9       Female Veterans:                    52
Female Dependents:      52      Children (under 18):               12
Seniors (over 64):           31      Youngest Veteran:                  28
Oldest Veteran:               85      Average Age Veterans:          50
Youngest Person:               1      Total Meals Served:            4031
Total Volunteers:          450      Air Force Veterans :              55
Army Veterans:             217      Coast Guard Veterans:          10
Marine Veterans:              55      Navy Veterans:                         64
Nat. Guard Veterans:        2     Did not state Service                 4
*Total Registered with the Courts               145
*Number of Cases Heard                                400-500
*Total Hours to Overflow Court                    783
*Community Service Hours Assigned by the Courts      2580
*Community Service Hours Performed at Camp              1797
     *All Court statistics are subject to audit and verification by the Courts.
     The following Providers assisted at the Stand Down by either providing information regarding their services or provided actual services on site.  AIDS Housing Alliance, CA Department of Veterans Affairs, Chiropractor, Dr. Michael Simmons, Crossroads, DMV, EDD, Frederico Beauty College, Harm Reduction/Sac County Public Health, Housing First, HVRP (Menlo Park), Sac County Dept. of Human Assistance, Sac County (OARC), Sac County Service Officer, Social Security, Sac Veterans Resource Center, VA Dental Services, VA Vision Services, VA Medical, VA Mental Health, VA Social Services, VA (Vet Center), Voter Registration.  All of these providers with the help of several Veteran, Community organizations Bands, and private individuals helped provide three days of food, shelter, entertainment, and services for the often forgotten and neglected segment of our population.  Thanks to all for a great job done!
 

THE 2008 STAND DOWN WILL TAKE PLACE
SEPTEMBER 12, 13, 14.

THE STAND DOWN CAMP 2006

VOLUNTEERS GIVING A HAND UP.......NOT A HAND OUT!!!

WHAT IS THE SACRAMENTO STAND DOWN?

    It is a 3 day period each year when Sacramento-area homeless veterans and their dependents are brought to or come in off the streets and are provided housing, food and TLC.  Most of the food is provided by Sacramento Food Link.  We receive a limited amount of  funding from VA and the CA Department of Veterans Affairs.  All other funds are donations from Veterans organizations and community-based organizations.  All the planning and working at the Stand Down is performed by volunteers.

VOLUNTEERS PREPARE AND SERVE FOOD FOR THE VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS

Some of the services provided by agencies are:  fully-staffed VA Medical tents; a court system complete with Public Defenders, Deputy District Attorneys and a judge who adjudicates cases on Saturday. 

Only misdemeanor issues are addressed such as:  riding regional transit without a pass, illegal camping, sleeping on a park bench, etc., all sentences are community service which is completed during the 3 day program.

The beautiful setting at Camp Pollock is conducive not only to set up a tent city for the Stand Down, but has a calming effect on those folks who have 3 days of not worrying about where they're going to sleep or get their next meal.

Other service providers are EDD, Social Security, DMV, WEAVE, Voter Registration, Social Services, Food Stamps, Drug and Alcohol counselors, Lions Club Vision Screening Van, VA Vision distributing glasses, Masonic Lodge fingerprinting the children, referral for transitional housing, both treatment and non-treatment facilities, referrals to California Veterans Homes - the list goes on and on.  A local beauty college provides free haircuts Friday afternoon and Saturday morning - last year 250 hair cuts were done.  We have local bands that volunteer from Noon to 10PM on Friday and Saturday and from 9AM until about 2 PM on Sunday.  An American Legion Post and Auxiliary provide new undergarments for the women and children, as well as one set of outer clothing, shoes, jacket, backpack and toy for each child to age 17.  There is an almost-unlimited amount of good used clothing for all participants.  The male participants receive new undergarments through the Stand Down Association funds.  All overnighters receive a new sleeping bag and heavy blanket.

Traditionally there are 400+ veterans, both male and female, and 50 dependents go through the program.  Most stay for the 3 days, but some come in for day services.  All are verified by the VA that they are eligible for services.  Attendance at the Stand Down is expected to rise due to the increased numbers of homeless veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. 

All participants are provided with a comfort kit containing a small soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, etc. upon arrival and registration at the Stand Down.  There are showers on-site.  For those staying overnight we provide a hygiene kit for them to take with them which contains full size bar of soap, full size toothpaste, new toothbrush, disposable razor, comb, deodorant, wash cloth, towel and shampoo.  We ask the community's support in donating these items - 350 of each - so all kits have the same items.

VETERANS CHOOSE ITEMS FROM CLOTHING COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO TAKE WITH THEM

tHE sACRAMENTO sTAND dOWN aSSOCIATION IS proud of what THEY do and are happy to provide for this often neglected segment of our society.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP HOMELESS VETERANS IN THE SACRAMENTO AREA???

YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT THE STAND DOWN.

CALL 916-646-6004

YOU CAN DONATE TO THE STAND DOWN!
Financial help is needed to purchase the many items we need to provide.
SEND DONATIONS TO:

The Sacramento Stand Down Association
P.O. Box 601536
Sacramento, CA 95860-1536

Non-Profit Tax ID# is:  68-0465804
For more information call:  916-646-6004

VETERAN PREPARES TO LEAVE THE STAND DOWN WITH CLOTHING,  SLEEPING BAG, ETC. PROVIDED.
THE VIETNAM VETERANS AND LEGACY MC AND MARINE MC PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE STAND DOWN.

WELCOME HOME VETERANS!
If you are in need of Sacramento Stand Down Services call:
916-646-6004