Founded in 1988 in 35 states, Operation Stand Down is a national coalition of concerned Americans who have dedicated themselves
to eliminating homelessness among our nation's Veterans. In 1993 "Stand Down" (meaning at ease) Rhode Island initiated an annual three day
residential program to assist area homeless veterans to secure social, medical, legal, and housing assistance.
No homeless veteran is turned away. We either provide emergency housing or pay for the Veteran to live in a motel or boarding home.
"A Hand up, not a Handout" is the motto that guides us in our work with Veterans. We realized that Veterans needed more assistance so we established permanent housing for eight
Veterans in Johnston, RI in 2001.
A school building and our second home for veterans was opened in West Warwick in 2005 and we opened our latest house in Providence in May, 2009. We are currently working towards opening homes in other areas.
