Operation Stand Down RI
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Mission Statement
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s mission is to help veterans secure stable housing and employment as well as other assistance according to individual needs including case management, basic human needs, referrals, and education and training services.
About This Cause
Operation Stand Down RI was incorporated 23 years ago by three Vietnam Era veterans who were on a mission to help their brothers and sisters in uniform pick themselves up and get on a track of self-reliance and sustainability. The organization started by hosting a weekend outreach event for homeless veterans to get access to key community and state agencies, (including the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Department of Labor, The DMV & Thundermist Dental), that could help get the individuals off the street and into sustainable housing. As the demand for services and assistance grew so did OSDRI. In 2001, OSDRI opened supportive housing for veterans and their family members in Johnston, RI. After opening this first development, OSDRI continued to grow and now owns and operates 88 units of housing for homeless veterans, including the state’s only home for female veterans; the Lance Corporal Holly Charrette home. OSDRI has homes across the state in OSDRI also assists veterans to get into their own independent housing by assisting with moving expenses, security deposits, and rent up to 9 months. Additionally, OSDRI helps veterans at risk of becoming homeless catch up on rental arrearages and get current on utility bills. Through its work with homeless and at-risk veterans, OSDRI became conscious of the need for homeless prevention. OSDRI began to zero in on some of the factors that led its clients to homelessness in the first place, including substance abuse issues, mental health issues, and lack of gainful employment. In 2013, OSDRI implemented its employment and training program for veterans. The program focuses on connecting homeless and at-risk veterans to meaningful and sustainable employment. This same year, OSDRI also opened a food pantry for veterans and their family members. Today, OSDRI operates four food pantries located inside their local offices in Newport, Westerly, Johnston, and West Warwick. The Newport Food Pantry is one of the busiest pantries. Veterans using the pantry not only have access to nonperishable food items but also frozen meats and gift cards to local markets. OSDRI also works with veterans to coordinate benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to connect them with mental health counseling through community partners including the VA, the Vets Center, and other private agencies, and to link them to substance abuse or rehab programs targeting the specific needs of veterans. OSDRI offers financial literacy training and computer training classes to veterans periodically throughout the year and on a case by case basis. It is OSDRI’s mission to provide wrap around services to veterans to get them into affordable housing and on a path to a healthy sustainable lifestyle. All of the proceeds donated to OSDRI go directly to veteran services as the organization has very low administrative overhead of only .062%. The OSDRI is compiled of individuals who are veterans themselves or immediate family members of veterans. Combined the OSDRI staff has 162 years of military experience.