For some veterans, it starts with a housing referral. For others, a conversation about benefits, a job lead, a dental screening or help navigating a problem that has become harder to manage as costs continue to rise.
For Veterans Inc., the goal of its annual Stand Down is to bring those opportunities together in one place—and make sure veterans leave with something more tangible than a brochure.
The Worcester-based nonprofit hosts its 21st Annual Stand Down on Friday, June 12, at its headquarters on Grove Street, bringing together more than 120 employers, service providers and community organizations for what organizers describe as the largest free veteran-focused resource fair in Central Massachusetts.
The event comes as Veterans Inc. marks its 35th anniversary and at a time when many veterans are facing financial pressures that extend well beyond traditional concerns such as homelessness or unemployment.
“When Stand Down began, much of the focus was on acute crisis, particularly homelessness and getting veterans off the street and into emergency support,” Veterans Inc. Senior Manager of Public Affairs Ray Carville told the Worcester Guardian. “That need has not gone away, but the picture is broader now.”
“We see more veterans who are housed, and often employed, who still cannot keep pace with the cost of living,” he said. “We also see mental and behavioral health addressed far more openly than in the early years, as the stigma around asking for help has come down.”
Organizers expect approximately 500 veterans and family members to attend the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 69 Grove St. Attendance has remained relatively consistent in recent years, something Carville said reflects an ongoing need for support services throughout the region.
Housing assistance and employment services remain among the organization’s most requested resources, but affordability has emerged as a recurring challenge affecting nearly every aspect of daily life.
“Housing and employment remain at the core, but the common thread right now is affordability,” Carville said. “The cost of living has risen so quickly that veterans who were managing a year or two ago are stretched thin today, and that pressure touches everything: rent, food, transportation, and access to care.”
This year’s Stand Down features healthcare information, benefits counseling, employment opportunities, meals, clothing, military surplus items and a variety of community services. According to Veterans Inc., services available during the event include eye exams, dental screenings, haircuts, behavioral health support, emergency housing resources, women-specific veteran services and suicide prevention programming.
Organizers say they have also focused on increasing the number of providers capable of delivering immediate assistance.
“This year we expanded the scope of services so more types of support are available under one roof, and we will have over 125 employers and service providers on site,” Carville said. “The goal is for someone to leave Stand Down with real progress in hand, not just a list of calls to make later.”
The event’s impact can often be measured in individual success stories. Carville pointed to a veteran identified as Dan L., who attended Stand Down two years ago seeking housing assistance while couch surfing. According to Veterans Inc., Dan was referred to emergency shelter services, entered a transitional housing program, secured employment paying $23 an hour and eventually moved into his own apartment with assistance from a HUD-VASH housing voucher.
“That is exactly the kind of outcome Stand Down is built for,” Carville said. “It started with a single conversation at the event and turned into a real path forward.”
Founded in 1990, Veterans Inc. has helped more than 125,000 veterans and family members, according to the organization. What began in Worcester has grown into a regional network serving veterans across New England as well as in Montana and North Dakota.
The nonprofit’s message to veterans who may be struggling — or who have never attended a Stand Down before — remains straightforward.
“Our message is simple,” Carville said. “Wherever you are in life, if you are a veteran, we have free services to make your life better. You do not have to be in crisis to walk through the door, and you do not need to have everything figured out first. Come down on Friday, see what is here, and let us help you take the next step.”
The event includes a welcome ceremony and Color Guard presentation beginning at 10 a.m.
Have a story tip, community concern, or insight to share? Email Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org.
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