What is a Stand Down?
Stand Down
is a military term describing soldiers taking care of other soldiers
in a safe secure space. Homeless Stand Downs originated in San Diego
in 1988, and have since been held in many cities across the
country. The goal of this event is to provide services which may
assist in breaking the cycle of homelessness, and encourage hope,
vision and health.
“The
homeless need a day when they can come in from the cold,” says
Rev. June Begany, Old Stone Associate Pastor.
The annual local effort is
coordinated by InterAct
Cleveland, an interfaith group of more than 50 faith
communities, with assistance from many private agencies and
businesses who have pledged financial support and/or volunteers.
A
Letter From Downtown Churches on Homelessness
The 2004
Homeless Stand-Down
was a two-day event held on February
14 & 15.
Old
Stone Church hosted
the first day of the Stand Down, distributing winter clothing,
serving breakfast, and providing bag lunches.
On Sunday February 15,
Trinity
Cathedral hosted the
second day of this event providing medical screenings, offering hair cuts,
personal hygiene products,
massages, a hot lunch and
entertainment.
It is estimated that
about 540 guests came to the Stand Down
and many volunteers were trained to offer assistance to those in
need.
Volunteers
We are
thankful for the many people from across Cleveland who volunteered to help with the Stand Down.
Many hours of planning and preparation were needed to make this event
successful.
For several
weeks donations were being dropped off and sorted in Old Stone's Memorial
Hall and non-perishable bag lunches were being packed.
Volunteers also assembled over
500 personal hygiene kits containing items such as soap, deodorant, wash
cloths, Chap stick, shampoo, combs, lotion, toothpaste, and toothbrush. Razors
and shaving cream were included for men and tampons and maxi-pads for women.
Donations
We
thank the churches and individuals from around Cleveland for their
overwhelming response to our request for donations of coats, boots, hats and
gloves, duffle bags, and hygiene items. As in previous years, the items particularly
needed were large size men's boots and coats.
Cash donations
were
greatly appreciated and used by the Mission Committee to
purchase boots and food for lunch bags.
Your
continuing prayers are needed
for both the homeless and for our political leaders as they
struggle to deal with a problem that is large and increasing.
