Submitted by Robert Cook, Public Affairs, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA)
The City of Lowell, the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill and the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA) partnered to co-host Stand Down 2015, an event that provides supplies and services to homeless Veterans. “Stand Downs” are collaborative events held nationally, coordinated between the VA and community-based homeless service providers.
Some 300 Veterans attended the Lowell Stand Down which began with a ceremony on the steps of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium with the U. Mass ROTC Color Guard and the Lowell High School Singers’ rendition of the National Anthem.
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Mayor Rodney Elliot introduced dignitaries and commended the Bedford VA, city officials and the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center for hosting the Stand Down in Lowell, and encouraged the nation to make Veterans the highest priority.
“We should want to serve our Veterans after they have done so much for us,” Elliot said.
Elliot noted that great strides have been made to end Veteran homelessness in Lowell and in the nation and called for even more to be done.
Bedford VA Hospital Director Christine Croteau reminded those in attendance that homeless and at risk Veterans do not fit any stereotype and are often the people we would least suspect. She shared a story of a Bedford VA employee with a full time job and a family who disclosed that cancer treatment expenses had him on the verge of losing his home.
“Stand Down represents one of many ways Bedford VA wants to serve our Veterans better than they have ever been served before,” said Croteau.
Stephanie Harrington of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Michael Rigas, Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs, and Gordon Calkins of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Urban Development echoed the sentiments of the Mayor and Director Croteau. The speakers acknowledged Linda King, Community Development Specialist in Department of Planning and Development, who has been instrumental in the coordination of partnerships that work together to end Veteran homelessness through Stand Down and other outreach efforts.
The Butler Middle School Chorus also performed a melody of the anthems of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard and concluded the ceremony with a song about the true American Heroes, Veterans, at which point the doors to Stand Down were open.
John Ratka, Executive Director of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center of Haverhill, (VNOC), and his staff greeted Veterans at registration, provided breakfast, lunch, and massive manpower to organize and distribute donations of clothing and supplies. They also supplied Supportive Services for Veterans and Families through case management on site.
Once inside, they received assistance such as food, shelter referrals, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling. Bedford VA staff and other community providers were present to assist Veterans with access to enrollment, health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling referrals. Over 100 Veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or who are recovering from homelessness came to the Lowell Stand Down.
Bedford VA buses later transported interested Veterans to the Bedford VA campus to participate in specialized workshops, pizza, a movie, sing along and overnight camping. They woke up bright and early at Bedford VA to breakfast and Day 2 of Stand Down , also coordinated with Veterans Northeast Outreach Center. VNOC has co-sponsored the Stand Down event with Bedford VA with precision since 1999.
Over 200 Veterans came to the Friday Bedford Stand Down. At the Friday morning breakfast, several Veterans told Bedford VA Director, Christine Croteau that Stand Down “was the most enjoyable 48 hours they had spent in a long time.”
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