Homeless veterans to get helping hand at Algonquin event

NASA Education Corp. will sponsor the semiannual Stand Down for Veterans on Monday, March 8, and Tuesday, March 9, at YMCA Camp Algonquin, 1889 Cary Road in Algonquin.

The Stand Down comes from a venerable military tradition. In times of war, exhausted combat units requiring time to rest and recover were removed from the battlefields to a place of relative security and safety. Troops were able to take showers, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment.

Today, Stand Down refers to a grass-roots, community-based intervention program designed to help the nation's estimated 200,000 homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets. Homeless veterans are brought together in a single location and are provided access to the community resources needed to begin addressing their individual problems and rebuilding their lives. In the military tradition, Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being. Today's Stand Down affords the same opportunity to homeless veterans.

From 200 to 250 homeless veterans are expected to attend the two-day event in McHenry County and receive services such as medical screenings, meals, showers, overnight shelter, employment services, free haircuts, and the distribution of clothing, underwear and toiletry items.

There will be pickup points at the Cary and Crystal Lake train stations; Hesed House in Aurora; Lazarus House in St. Charles; Wayside Center in Elgin; Lake County Veterans Assistance Commission in Waukegan; Jubilee Center in Rockford; and the North Chicago VA Medical Center.

For information or to register, call (866) 338-4968 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or visit nasaeducation.org. There will be overnight accommodations on Monday only.