Homeless Stand Down

April 26, 2025 • 10AM-2PM • Cleveland Public Auditorium

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Get Involved

The Homeless Stand Down is possible thanks to the businesses, organizations, faith groups, families, and individuals that come together to support fellow community members in need. Anticipated resources for 2025 include social services, haircuts, medical screenings, hot food, bagged meals, personal hygiene kits, bus passes, and more.

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CLOTHING ITEMS
HYGIENE KITS

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VOLUNTEERS
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SPONSOR THE EVENT

Learn

GUEST INFO
2024 RECAP

About the Event

Stand Down is a military term for a secure base camp where battle-weary soldiers were provided with beds, showers, clean clothes, warm meals, medical care, and letters from home. 

Today, the Homeless Stand Down provides people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are veterans, with necessary resources, respite from the elements, and reconnection to the community. 

As the connector between local nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers, BVU has been honored to facilitate Cleveland’s Homeless Stand Down as of 2020.

By the Numbers

people experience homelessness each year in Cuyahoga County.

individuals provide volunteer support each year by distributing food, clothing, and more.

of last year's guests agreed that the resources gained will help them in the future.

organizations provide services and resources each year.

Featured Stories

Volunteer Spotlight: The Bullard Family

Gary Bullard’s third year volunteering at the Homeless Stand Down quickly became a family affair. But he wasn’t the ringleader: “My daughter found this opportunity on her own – she was the one who got [everyone] involved. It makes me feel like I’ve done something right.”
Read More

In the News with WKYC

“Last year, Cuyahoga County vowed to cut its homeless population of 5,000 by 25% by 2027. Advocating for affordable housing is at the center of the plan, but until then, Business Volunteers Unlimited will continue providing people with things they need, thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.”

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Your Words

Thank you so much for putting on an amazing Stand Down! I appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community. Y'all did an amazing job of prep, organization with the city, and community outreach to businesses partners to make this event possible. I truly enjoyed participating in this event. Looking forward to other opportunities to continue volunteering in the future.
Brent White
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
This was the most well-run event I have attended. You were able to touch so many lives with the help of the best group of dedicated volunteers. I am already looking forward to next year!
Mary Kay Wagner
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
The event and communication beforehand were very well organized! While it is heart-wrenching that there is a need for this event, it restores one's faith in humanity to see so many folks volunteer their time and skills to this effort.
Shelley Fishbach
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
I was very inspired by the commitment and positive contribution that everyone showed at BVU. As a distribution supporter, I got to meet new people who share my passion for giving back to the community. It was a great experience and I look forward to volunteering again!
Gigi Jackson
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
I thought the Homeless Stand Down was great and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it.  Kudos to BVU and your staff for the fantastic work on this event. It was a great way to give back to the community. I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to be there and see it for myself.
Marc Merklin
Partner, Brouse McDowell
I can’t say enough how incredible the organizers of this event are for putting this together. They created such a welcoming atmosphere for the guests, who were able to stop at many different stations to receive backpacks, new shoes, clothes, undergarments, haircuts, and so much more. It was so uplifting to see the guests getting the care and attention they needed and deserved. I am so grateful to have been a part of it. I met so many new people, learned lots of stories, and made new friends along the way. Thank you BVU for putting together this event, I can’t wait to participate again next year!
Shelby Lattimore
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
This was a life-changing experience for me. BVU coordinated such an amazing event. I was nervous, at first, to be a personal shopper, but within minutes it turned into one of the most satisfying days of my life.
Mary Juhasz
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer
I volunteered for the full day. The leadership did a great job communicating our responsibilities and were quick to make adjustments and changes as needed. I enjoyed being part of this worthwhile and needed event for my 4th year. Thank you for all you do!
Joanne Yarbough
Homeless Stand Down Volunteer

Get in Touch

For inquiries about volunteering or donating goods, reach out to Rob Zaremsky at rzaremsky@bvuvolunteers.org.
For inquiries about providing resources or services, please contact Ann Cancelliere at acancelliere@bvuvolunteers.org.

Thank You Sponsors

Event sponsors make the Homeless Stand Down possible. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield

Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Jewish News
Community West Foundation
First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland
Forest Hill Presbyterian Church
Humana
Meaden & Moore, LLP
Shurtape Technologies

Nonprofit Providers & Community Partners

ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County
AIDS Healthcare Center
AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland
AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio
Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Assurance Wireless
Buckeye Health Plan
Care Alliance
CareSource
Case Western Reserve University
Church of St Dominic
Church of the Gesu
Church of the Resurrection
Congregation Mishkan Or
City of Cleveland
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Department Public Health
Cleveland EMS
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Sober Living for Women
Community Medical Services
Community Service Alliance
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Cuyahoga Cty. Public Defender’s Office

Cuyahoga Job and Family Services
Educational Opportunity Center, TRI-C
Emerald Development & Economic Network (EDEN)
Enbridge
Front Steps Housing and Services
Hear in Cleveland
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
MedWish + Medworks
Meryma’at Barber College
MetroHealth
Milton and Charlotte Kramer Law Clinic, CWRU School of Law
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Mt. Sinai Foundation
NAMI Greater Cleveland
National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW)
Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH)
Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services (NEON)
Northern Ohio Recovery Association
OhioGuidestone Workforce 360
Peace Lutheran Church
Philippine Nurses Association
Pride Among Daughters and Sisters
Project White Butterfly

Rotaract PLUS Northeast Ohio
Shadybrook
StandUp for Kids
Step Into Housing
The Centers
The George Gund Foundation
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
The Metanoia Project
The Salvation Army Greater Cleveland
The Urban Barber Association
Towards Employment
United Way of Greater Cleveland
University Hospitals
US Department of Veteran Affairs
VA Northeast Ohio Health Care
Veterans Benefits Administration
We Think 4 A Change
Welty
West Side Catholic Center
YMCA of Greater Cleveland
Y-Haven
YWCA Greater Cleveland
ZENworks Yoga