Change in Operations
Beginning in 2024
About North Bay Operation Hand Up (North Bay Stand Down)
North Bay Stand Down has been assisting homeless and/or at-risk veterans since 2002 in the counties of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo, California.
North Bay Operation Hand Up Quick Facts:
- Over 90% of all funds raised are utilized for direct services to the homeless veterans who attend the Stand Down. We are an all-volunteer organization.
- Since 2002 we have provided services, hot meals, showers, and sleeping bags to 2,900 veterans along with their 333 family members.
- Through 2018, 2,000 court cases have been adjudicated, 566 DMV ID cards issued, over 32,400 pieces of clothing and bedding have been issued. Over 25,300 meals have been served and 9,135 volunteers have assisted our veterans.
- We became a 501(c)(3) organization – North Bay Operation Hand Up – in July 2008 (ID #26-1899796).
COVID created unique challenges for us (along with the rest of the world) and changed the way we operated. The North Bay Stand Down changed to a one-day rest from the daily battle of living on the streets. Homeless and/or At-Risk Veterans were met by caring Volunteer Ambassadors along with a fresh cup of coffee and breakfast and were guided through the process of getting a “hand up”. The veterans who attended in 2022 happily left the Stand Down after being individually escorted through the various services provided at the Stand Down. Because the attendance was so low, we decided it would be necessary to change our perspective going forward. Over the years due to increased funding by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and numerous community programs (including the North Bay Stand Down) the majority of our homeless veterans have found housing in various forms as well as supportive services to assist them as they transition to a less stressful lifestyle.
This presents us with a unique opportunity to rethink our program and focus Operation Hand Up on a more individualized approach. Look for future details as we go forward. There will be no North Bay Stand Down in 2024 and we look forward to future events beginning in 2025. Thank you for making our success possible.