Mt. Carmel holding Stand Down event at Weidner Field

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Tuesday, Oct. 15 Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center will host a Stand Down event which will give homeless veterans the chance to stock up on winter clothes, have a couple of warm meals, and gain better access to veterans services.

In the military, the term Stand Down was created in WWII when military members were told to “stand down” for rest and recovery after prolonged combat. Mt. Carmel said the term is now used in cities across the country, asking homeless veterans to “stand down” for a day to receive access to resources and veterans benefits, employment assistance, and more.

The event will be at Weidner Field in downtown Colorado Springs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Veterans will not only be provided support and resources but Mt. Carmel said up to 10 veterans will be chosen for the Transitional Housing Initiative, a program designed to find permanent housing and jobs to move them into more stable lives. UCHealth is partnering with Mt. Carmel for the program, in 2023 nine veterans were chosen and eight of them found homes and jobs.

“The Stand Down is a way to let homeless veterans know the community cares; that we provide necessary resources,” said Robert McLaughlin, executive director of Mt. Carmel. “It’s a way to give back to people who have served their country and are now facing hard times.”

According to Mt. Carmel, in 2023 126 veterans received help. Each veteran is provided an active-duty service member as an escort and guide to services provided for the day.

Mt. Carmel is joined by sponsors UCHealth, Murray Security Services, Phil Long Kia, Weidner Field, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Ent Credit Union, Armed Forces Bank, the Assistance League of Colorado Springs, and several other partners.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.