Homeless Stand Down

Next Event Coming Spring 2026!

Get Involved

Check out our 2025 impact, and help us make an even bigger difference in 2026!

Feel the Impact

In 2025, we provided nearly 900 neighbors in need with dozens of new and returning resources.

VIEW RECAP

Donate Today

As planning begins for 2026, early donations are crucial to lay the foundation for next year’s resources.

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Help Another Way

Get in touch to explore options for supporting the Homeless Stand Down or another meaningful cause with BVU.

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About the Event

Created over 30 years ago to address veteran homelessness, Cleveland’s Homeless “Stand Down” — a military term referring to a secure base camp for battle-weary soldiers — has since evolved into an annual day of service for neighbors in need.

Since 2020, BVU has leveraged its position as a connector between Northeast Ohio nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers to steward the region’s Homeless Stand Down efforts, providing guests with necessary resources, respite from the elements, and reconnection to the community. 

By the Numbers

people experience homelessness each year in Cuyahoga County.

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

%

of guests surveyed in 2025 agreed that the resources gained will help them in the future.

organizations provide services and resources each year.

Featured Stories

2025 Press Release

“BVU’s Homeless Stand Down is a testament to the power of people coming together to make a meaningful impact… BVU is honored to be able to convene hundreds of community members to provide a day of respite, resources, and reconnection to those in need.”

Read

Volunteer Spotlight

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

In the News with WKYC

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

Watch

Ideastream Interview

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

Read

Your Words

The Stand Down isn't the solution to homelessness, but it connects people to resources that might end their homelessness. For a lot of people this is the beginning of the journey.
Rob Zaremsky
Director, Business and Community Engagement, BVU
These are people who saw a need and genuinely wanted to meet it — people who really felt empathy for my situation. You don't feel that all the time.
Rebecca
Homeless Stand Down Guest
Thank you so much for putting on an amazing Stand Down! Y'all did an amazing job of prep, organization with the city, and community outreach to businesses partners to make this event possible. It was a great opportunity to give back to the community. I truly enjoyed participating and look forward to volunteering again.
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
It was so uplifting to be a part of such a welcoming atmosphere and to see so many guests receiving the care and attention they needed and deserved. I met so many new people, learned lots of stories, and made new friends along the way. I am so grateful to have been a part of it and can't wait to participate again next year. Thank you, BVU!
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

2025 Sponsors

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
CBIZ

Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Jewish News
Community West Foundation
Forest Hill Presbyterian Church
Greater Cleveland Church of Christ
Humana
Meaden & Moore, LLP
Old Stone Church
Shurtape Technologies
Turner Construction

2025 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
BNY
Brighter Tomorrow Community Services
Buckeye Health Plan
Care Alliance
CareSource
Case Western Reserve University
Castle Noel
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 Grays
Cleveland MOTTEP Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Cleveland Sober Living for Women
Cleveland Vet Center
Community Medical Services
Community Service Alliance

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Cuyahoga County Public Library
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
Garfield Heights United Methodist Church
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Hear in Cleveland
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
Jones Day
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
MedWish + Medworks
Mental Health Response Advisory Committee (MHRAC)
Meryma’at Barber College
MetroHealth
Milton and Charlotte Kramer Law Clinic, CWRU School of Law
Molina Healthcare
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
RPM International, Inc.
Shadybrook
Socks&Skivvies4Soldiers
StandUp for Kids
Step Into Housing
SYSCO
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
Thrive for Change
Towards Employment
United Way of Greater Cleveland
University Hospitals
US Department of Veteran Affairs
VA Northeast Ohio Health Care
Veterans Benefits Administration
Volunteers of America
We Think 4 A Change
Welty
West Side Catholic Center
YMCA of Greater Cleveland
Y-Haven
YWCA Greater Cleveland
ZENworks Yoga