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The County of Monroe and the Veterans Outreach Center will host the annual Veterans Stand Down on March 7, in conjunction with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and other local service providers.
The event is designed to connect homeless or at-risk veterans with essential services in areas like housing, health care, legal assistance and food sources. Nearly 40 local service providers will be on hand to address the needs of veterans, including Monroe County’s Veterans Service Agency and Department of Human Services, the VOC, the VA, Legal Assistance of WNY, Warrior Salute/CDS Monarch, the Salvation Army and others.
“Here in Monroe County, we believe it is our distinct honor and solemn responsibility to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our great nation,” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said in a statement. “It is especially important that we are able to connect with veterans who may feel like they’ve fallen through the cracks so we can offer them the support services they’ve earned and deserve.”
The term “Stand Down” originally was used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations, VOC Director Laura Stradley said.
“We use that phrase today because we’re providing a safe place for homeless veterans to find assistance, services and perhaps some respite from the challenges they face in everyday life,” Stradley said. “Stand Down will be a great opportunity to come together as a community and to embrace the men and women who once sacrificed so much for our way of life.”
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harro East Ballroom on North Chestnut Street. More than 200 local veterans were served at the 2017 Stand Down.
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