Operation Stand Down Rhode Island

Founded in 1993, the organization has grown to become Rhode Island's innovative and leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of ending homelessness among veterans in our communities. The organization follows the "housing first model" providing permanent and transitional housing combined with a full range of supportive services designed to address the individual veteran's needs which led to his or her state of homelessness. Supportive services include, but are not limited to, intensive case mangement, coordination of mental health and substance abuse treatment, assistance with veteran affairs (va) benefits and employment, training, and job placement services. Our focus is to give veterans a "hand up... not a hand out." Presently the organization owns and operates 66 units of permanent and transitional housing for disabled veterans located in providence, west warwick, woonsocket, and johnston, Rhode Island. These facilities house disabled low-income veterans who prior to arriving at the organization were homeless. For homeless or at-risk low-income veterans, with or without disabilities, the organization provides rental assistance and supportive services through the supportive services for veteran families (ssvf) grant.

The organization provides financial and support services to veterans and veteran families that are homeless or imminently at-risk of being homeless through the ssvf program. Through the ssvf program, the organization aims to improve very low-income veteran families' housing stability by providing eligible individual veterans and veteran families with outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining va and other benefits. In addition, the organization may also provide time-limited payments to third parties (e.g., landlords, utility companies, moving companies, and licensed child care providers) if these payments help veteran's families stay in or acquire permanent housing on a sustainable basis.

Throughout america's history, it has been our military members' training, values, leadership, teamwork, and "can do attitude" that carried our nation through great challenges of our times. These same skills make veterans good for an employer's bottom line. Despite these invaluable attributes, our veterans face many challenges in reintegrating into the workforce. Whether it is limited "in-demand" work skills, unstable housing, physical or emotional injuries, the organization's veteran employment and training specialists can help. The organization is able to work with all veterans in need of work through both private and state grant programs. The real pathways program administered by the organization is funded in part by funds received through the governor's workforce board "real pathways ri program." Real pathways ri is a workforce development initiative designed to address employement challenges of individuals with barriers to employment. Combining the resources of the organizations 66 units of permanent and transitional housing for homeless disabled veterans, the ssvf, and the real pathways programs, the organization implements the "whole veteran" approach focusing on removing barriers to employment. The organization's real pathways employment and training program is focused on providing veterans the employemnt and training services they need in order to re-enter the labor force. Job placement, training, job development, career counseling, and resume preparation, are among the services that are provided. Supportive services such as clothing, temporary financial assistance with housing, referral to medical and substance abuse treatment, childcare, legal assistance, and transportation coordination are also provided to meet the needs of this target group. All veterans and veteran spouses are eligible for employment and training assistance. Some types of assistance under the program may be limited based income.

The organization provides free food and hygiene products to local veterans in need. The food pantry is supplied with donated goods and items purchased by the organization. In addition, the organization is proud to support the Rhode Island veteran treatment court mentors program (veterans treatment court). The mission of the veterans treatment court is to successfully rehabilitate participants, on a case-by-case basis, by providing the tools and skills necessary to address veterans' unique challenges to reintegrate successfully into society and to maintain a productive and law abiding lifestyle within the community. Goals of the veterans treatment court includes reducing criminal recidivism, recognized and treat unseen and or invisible injuries resulting from combat or other service related conditions, facilitate productive reintegration into community, increase compliance with court ordered conditions, addresses behavioral health issues, promote accountability, and balance needs and expectations of maintaining a safe society with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Finally, the organization works with eligible veterans in initial applications for va and social security disability benefits, misdemeanor criminal matters before the Rhode Island veteran teratment court, license restoration matters at the Rhode Island traffic tribunal/ri dmv, and limited family court cases. Va disability and social security disability appeals are handled on a reduced fee contingency basis requiring no out of pocket expenses for the veteran. The organization's lawyers are experienced and accredited by the us department veterans affairs to represent veterans in the va claims process.