Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down, Inc.
Post Office box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-0307
What is a “Stand Down”?
Many of our friends and comrades have been asking this question in the Milwaukee area in recent years so we will try to shed some light on the most recent application of the term.
During a “Stand Down” soldiers are removed from the field of combat for rest and recreation. Homeless and at-risk veterans in this country are not unlike soldiers in combat, living in the field (streets), surviving by their wits with limited rations and enduring very unfavorable living conditions. Every day they must continue to do battle. Their adversaries are lack of housing, unemployment, physical and emotional hardships and hopelessness.
Today’s version of a “Stand Down” is designed and intended to bring a wide array of pre-existing specialized resources together at one location and to provide a comprehensive therapeutic program to homeless and at-risk veterans that integrates employment, housing, medical, legal and a broad range of social services.
Studies have concluded that veterans appear to be at-risk of homelessness for much the same reasons as other Americans. Socioeconomic structural factors have largely been responsible for the increased numbers of homeless people. Personal vulnerabilities such as poverty and mental illness have influenced the type of individual that becomes at risk of homelessness. These studies also estimate that as many as 40% of the homeless men in America are combat trained veterans.
The current “Stand Down” concept has six basic goals:
1. To provide a “hand-up”, not a “hand-out” for immediate relief from the trauma and stress of homelessness.
2. To provide access to services and assistance in the area of employment, clothing, matters of hygiene, medical/dental exams etc.
3. To provide access to longer term solutions like Department of Veteran Affairs benefits, employment opportunities, medical /legal assistance and other social services.
4. To build and maintain strong long-term interagency and community working relationships.
5. To continue to raise community and state awareness of the plight of the homeless and at-risk veterans to develop long term solutions.
6. To encourage and aid in the replication of this program in our community and other cities across the state.
Now that you have a better idea of the current application of the term “Stand Down” we are hoping that you will join us in educating the public and help lessen, if not eliminate the plague that is infecting veterans and their families in our community.
Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down Inc.
Post Office box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-0307
Dear Friends and Comrades:
On behalf of the Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down committee we are seeking your financial support for the funding of our on-going services to homeless and at risk veterans in our area. At our two Stand Down’s held in 2008 we helped to provide aid and comfort to over 300 veterans in the Milwaukee area. This was just a small segment of the homeless veteran population in our city; there is a much larger population of veterans that are at risk of becoming homeless if something is not done now. Our last “Stand Down” was held on September 20, 2008 at the Richards Street National Guard Armory 4108 North Richards Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At this Stand Down we served over 120 needy veterans and their families, providing various services including providing eyeglasses and dental services for homeless or at-risk veterans. In addition to the aforementioned services we fed over 300 participants and volunteers through the generous donations given to our program by concerned individuals and organizations like you throughout the state.
We are currently in the planning stage for our next Stand Down to be held February 28, 2009 once again at the Richards Street National Guard Armory in Milwaukee. We are still in need of financial assistance so that we can provide hot and nutritious meals, toilet articles, eye exams, glasses, much needed dental work, work boots and other items such as bus passes to get to job interviews etc. It is our hope that you, your organizations, members and friends will be able to help us in this important endeavor.
We are deeply grateful for whatever assistance you can provide. If you have any questions please feel free to call me for further details.
Sincerely Yours in Comradeship;
Greg Jacobs, President
Weekday phone: (414) 902-5729
Evenings/Weekends: (414) 902-5403
E-MAIL Address:
jacobg@dwd.state.wi.us (or) gjacobs3@wi.rr.com
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Please complete and return this form and your tax deductible check to:
Wisconsin Veterans Stand Down Inc.
PO box 170307
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217-8026
From: _________________________ Contact Person: ___________________________
Address: __________________________ City: _____________ State: ____ Zip: ______
Yes, we would like to help. Here is our check for:
( ) $20 ( ) $30 ( ) $40 ( ) $50 ( ) $75 ( ) $100 ( ) other $__________
Thank you on behalf of the Stand Down Committee and needy veterans of our community.