Homeless Stand Down
April 18, 2026 10AM-2PM
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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.
Get Involved
Let’s make an even bigger difference.
Donate
$50 provides 10 rides to and from support. $100 outfits 6 people with warm clothing. $1,000 connects 25 neighbors to care.
Sponsor
How will your organization support the community? You sponsorship allows BVU to uplift those who need help the most.
Spread the Word
Use the flyer below to spread the word to volunteers, sponsors, donors, or anyone who might want to help.
Does your organization serve individuals who may benefit from the resources, respite, and reconnection provided at the event?
Use THIS FLYER to help us serve as many neighbors as possible – print it out, post it, send it!
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.
Feel the Impact
Together at the 2025 Homeless Stand Down, we provided nearly 900 neighbors in need with dozens of new and returning resources, from cancer screenings to record expungement.
Featured Stories
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.”
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.”
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.”
What Participants Say
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.
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
