Serving those who have served our Nation is the primary goal of the East Bay Stand Down. We treat the veteran participants with respect and dignity. Their former service to our nation is evidence of their ability to succeed and is also reason enough for our community to support them in regaining success.

Stand Down is a term used during war to describe the practice of removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their basic needs in a safe area.

Nationally, it is estimated that there are over 250,000 needy and homeless veterans on the streets on any given night.  Within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that there are over 7,000 needy or homeless veterans.  In the Northern California area, estimates are as high as 15,000 or more.  A significant number of these veterans have had little or no contact with the VA for either monetary or medical benefits.  Nor have they had much contact with any other agency  offering assistance.  Aiding or helping to improve their situations, especially for combat veterans, is a difficult process, but one, which cannot be ignored.

Since the first Stand Down was held in San Diego, in 1988, Stand Downs have taken place in over 200 cities nationwide.  Over 100,000 veterans and their families have benefited from Stand Downs.  These events have proved to be very effective in breaking the cycle of homelessness among veterans and their families.

Since the first East Bay Stand Down in 1999, our goals have been to provide a respite from the streets so that needy and homeless veterans can examine avenues of assistance.  We help to place the participants into residential programs, offer employment, and to provide follow-up programs of various types.  During recent East Bay Stand Downs, we have "bumped it up a notch" by providing more services and higher quality services.  We offer all new clothing, boots and other basic needs.  Through the support of local dentists we offer quality oral health care, as well as follow up care after the event.

The East Bay Stand Down will be funded primarily through monetary and in-kind donations.  All monetary donations will be applied to the needs of the veterans.  No donated money will be used for salaries.  All donations are tax deductible.

A community is often judged by how well it takes care of its own.  Serving those who have served our Nation is the primary goal of the East Bay Stand Down.