Homeless and in-need veterans to receive housing, medical assistance and more during Nov. 16 Chicago Winter Stand Down
Chicago's Winter Stand Down to help area homeless, housing-insecure, and in-need veterans will be held Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chicago's Northwest Armory.
Services offered to veterans during the event include:
• Housing assistance
• Medical & mental health education and services
• Employment assistance
• Food and SNAP assistance
• Veteran benefits assistance
• Haircuts
• Clothing and winter coat giveaways
• Government-assisted cell phones
Chicago Stand Downs are held every summer and winter and is organized by a committee of VA staff, local nonprofits and area agencies. The committee is led by Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
"For 30 years, we've come together to aid our Chicago veterans with the Winter and Summer Stand Downs," said Donald Donahue, Hines VA social worker and Stand Down chairman. "Our goal is to help veterans get the resources they need to get through the winter and beyond."
The Illinois National Guard Northwest Armory is located at 1551 North Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60651.
Advanced registration is not required. Veterans should bring a veteran ID card, or a photo ID and a copy of their DD-214 military discharge form to receive services. Veteran status can also be verified at the event if needed.
The Chicago Summer Stand Down was held in June 2023. It assisted more than 370 veterans.
More than 200 stand downs are held across the nation and are part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' effort to house 38,000 homeless veterans across the country in 2023. Nationally, VA housed 40,401 veterans in 2022. Hines VA Hospital permanently housed 315 in 2022.
Veterans needing housing assistance, or citizens who see a homeless veteran, can call Hines VA Hospital at 708-202-4961. A social worker can be dispatched to offer assistance.