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'Standing Down' for homeless veterans

The Athens Messenger - 10/8/2017

More than 100 patrons received based services and needs at the second annual Athens Area Stand Down on Friday at the Athens County Fairgrounds.

So what is a Stand Down?

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the term is originally a military concept used during the Vietnam War. By that definition, a Stand Down was a time for service members to return to base camp from combat operations, where they could take care of their personal hygiene, clean their clothes and uniforms, eat, receive medical care, receive and send letters, and gather in companionship with their fellow service members.

Since the late 1980s, Stand Downs took on a slightly different meaning.

Since the first of its kind in San Diego in 1988, Stand Downs are a time when community organizations gather to provide base needs and services for homeless veterans. They provide food, clothing, medical, legal and mental health assistance, job counseling and referral and a change for veterans and community members to gather in companionship.

The first Stand Downs were exclusive to homeless veterans, but since then many places that host Stand Downs open the events up to any homeless individual.

"We don't turn anyone away," said Kathy Hecht, Athens City Auditor and the chairperson of the Athens Area Stand Down Committee.

Hecht and Terry St. Peter, the committee's volunteer coordinator and coordinator of Veterans Services at Ohio University, moved around at the Stand Down on Friday to help direct wherever they were needed.

Other cities in the region and state have held Stand Downs, including Lancaster, Chillicothe and Columbus. Hecht and St. Peter said they identified a need to hold a Stand Down in the Athens County area.

St. Peter explained that many people might not realize how prevalent the issue of homelessness is in Athens County.

"Part of the issue is not all of the homeless live in tents," he said, explaining that many frequently move between homes of family of friends. "It's hard to get an accurate number of homeless people codified."

"They're there," Hecht added.

The Stand Down brought together both veteran and other community organizations and businesses from around the county and region.

Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center offered medical services at the Stand Down. Many community members and organizations donated clothing, blankets, money and toiletries. Kroger donated and cooked food for patrons and volunteers, Zones donated t-shirts for volunteers, Peoples Bank donated money and Rocky Boots donated more than a 100 boots.

The Gilham-Frank VFW Post 8804 offered free American flags and government-designated disaster relief blankets. Carsey's Barber Shop in Athens and Tri-County Career Center cosmetology students provided free haircuts. Other organizations offered legal, job referral and counseling services, including Hopewell Health Centers, Health Recovery Services, Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, Southeast Ohio Legal Services and many others.

The committee also worked with the Athens County Fair Board to use the space, including the Junior Fair building, which housed many of the clothes and toiletry supplies.

Volunteers were assigned to patrons to help lead them through the different services offered.

"We have a lot of great people with great hearts that help make this happen," St. Peter said.

The Athens Area Stand Down will be held on the first Friday of October each year. St. Peter said it's a way to prepare people for the winter months.