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Housing
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island currently manages 3 permanent supportive housing facilities for disabled American Veterans. The housing program includes a full array of needed supportive services and is a place where a disabled vet can live the remainder of his/her life in safety and comfort.
Why We Do It?
We do it to help break the cycle of homelessness that plagues far too many of our fellow veterans; and we know that in order to break that cycle, the veteran must know what help is available and where to get it. Our annual Stand Down outreach weekend addresses two of the most pervasive frustrations of the homeless veteran: who can help me, and how can I reach them? Lack of information and limited mobility combine forming an almost impregnable barricade between the veteran and the help needed. We know that unless the sources of help are made available to these homeless citizens, there is little chance of remedying their suffering, and empowering them to find the point of reentry back into American mainstream. There are many homeless heroes living in our communities' streets, and we have difficulty living with ourselves knowing that this is true.
How We Do it?
First we create for them a safe place--our tent-city compound, in which veterans can gather. We shuttle in homeless veterans from all over the Rhode Island area. We surround those veterans with friends with whom they feel comfortable--ourselves. We bring to them sources of help, and then we coordinate those sources of help with the vet's needs.
Those vets who need shelter are referred to agencies that provide housing, temporary and permanent. The vets who need medical care are first examined at the Stand Down, and then referred to the appropriate medical facility for follow up care. Vets in need of mental health care or substance abuse intervention are directed to treatment centers. Legal council and assistance with VA claims are made available, too. We also give clean clothes to all vets who need them.
The success of Operation Stand Down is convincing testimony that a concerned community can join hands and accomplish miracles. Doctors, Dentists, the VA Medical Center, Legal Aid, Johnson and Wales University, the Vet Centers, the RI Coalition for the Homeless, homeless shelters, halfway houses, college students, private citizens, private businesses, and a host of others join us to help those of our community who need help most. Operation Stand Down is a true community effort that works. Veterans who have lost hope, find it again and start their journey.
Special thanks to Help America Foundation for their generous support!
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1010 Hartford Ave Johnston, RI
1-800-861-VETS
© 2010 OSDRI
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