MADISON, Wis. — A special Madison group connects returning armed services members with collaborative care options.
Known as Stand Down Madison, the nonprofit annually holds their “Day of Relief” event, where volunteers help at-risk veterans that are falling through the cracks find their footing.
“It means that you just completed a mission, take a break, enjoy some food, relax, recover,” Stand Down Madison President Angie Nichels said of the nonprofit’s namesake.
As a veteran herself, Nichels said “standing down,” isn’t always so easy.
“And when you go into the military, they break you down. They really do. They break you down and build you back up to be a soldier,” Nichels said.
Nichels knows this firsthand, serving as private first class in the U.S. Army. When she returned from active duty, disabled and medically discharged, she faced her own uncertain future.
“I’m a few short steps away. I could be one of the statistics, one of the homeless veterans,” Nichels said regarding why she remains passionate about her organization’s commitment to fighting the epidemic.
And the rising numbers of veterans facing homelessness are staggering, said Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Coordinator Jodi Barnett.
“We have 390,000 veterans in the state of Wisconsin, 23,000 of those are here in Dane County alone, with the DVA anticipating that this is the highest number of homeless veterans in Dane County ever on record,” Barnett said.
Barnett said those numbers were the reason she volunteered her time with Stand Down Madison.
In preparation for the “Day of Relief” event, Barnett folded newly donated Land’s Ends coats. She said the event was inspiring, as it was like “a day of shopping.”
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“While we’re hanging out, we’re gonna go and we’re going to try on some clothes. Look at these brand new shoes that we have for you. Here’s a backpack full of goodies. Here’s a new toothbrush,” said Barnett. “It’s just a day of fantastic fun. I know fun is a hard word to say around homelessness, but we’re meeting people that may not even know this can be in the community that these resources exist.”
Stand Down Madison holds the event at the Salvation Army’s Community Center, where dozens of organizations connect veterans in need with services.
It’s all possible as veteran volunteers and civilians pair up with the former service members and help them through the process.
“You signed the dotted line that said I’m willing to give my life for the country if need be. It’s kind of like that. I got your back,” Nichels said about why this day makes such a difference.
Barnett said veterans helping other veterans has been critical to their mission.
“Really, that’s why we do this. I think nobody relates to a veteran better than a veteran,” she said.
Stand Down Madison is being held from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Salvation Army in Madison, at 3030 Darbo Dr. The event is open to any veteran in southern Wisconsin, even those who were dishonorably discharged.
Civilian and veteran volunteers are still needed for the event. Coordinators said those interested can just show up and provide support throughout the day until 5:30 p.m.
You can learn more about Stand Down Madison, here.