Homeless Stand Down

Next Event Coming April 2026!

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.

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Get Involved

Help us make an even bigger difference in 2026!

Donate

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

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Sponsor

Provide corporate support to help prepare for the next Homeless Stand Down. 

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Help Another Way

Learn how you or your business can support 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

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

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

What Participants Say

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph this inspiring event! It was so well-planned and seemed to go seamlessly. Congratulations to all who made this happen! I think the guests really appreciated it.
Rosemary Flanagan
Cleveland Photographic Society
I enjoyed the event and marvel at all the organizing needed. You are all to be commended!
Bonnie Lukcso
Cleveland Photographic Society
I've witnessed large-scale operations during my time in the military, but year after year, the Homeless Stand Down impresses me as one of the most well-organized events I’ve had the privilege to be a part of. Thank you for all you do to help the most vulnerable in our community.
John Gereaux
PNC
The Homeless Stand Down volunteer experience was incredibly rewarding and eye-opening, and everyone was friendly and excited to be part of it. I loved it and hope to volunteer again in the future!
Dana Aritonovich
Medical Mutual
A breathtaking, extraordinarily well-organized day and the perfect way to give back. It was truly a blessing to laugh, sing, and enjoy a meal with guests and new friends — this event helped me find my calling in helping others. Thank you.
Theresa Hutchins
University Hospitals
I enjoyed the event so much and was amazed at the hard work and caring people I saw.
Sheila Sabol
Lakewood City Schools
This was my 3rd year volunteering for this event and it gets better each year. Looking forward to more!
Travis Zugay
DiGeronimo Companies
This year's Homeless Stand Down was the most organized and respectful event that I’ve participated in. It is my favorite “done in a day” volunteer opportunity. The dignity in which the guests were treated and the resources provided are so appreciated.
Holley Fowler Martens
HSD Volunteer
Thank you for inviting us to such a wonderful engagement. The hospitality was second to none, and the number of smiling veterans we encountered make me believe wholeheartedly that the event was very successful.
Lovell W. Payten
Veteran Service Commission
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

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