Operation Stand Down Rhode Island: Home and Hearth for Heroes

Rick Hart "The Road Warrior Cyclist" is riding his bicycle across the United States to raise awareness about homeless veterans and money to support Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) is the Rhode Island's leading provider of housing and supportive services for homeless and at risk veterans.   Operation Stand Down Rhode Island is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductable. 

OSDRI has begun a campaign to raise $25,000 to help pay the housing expenses of 10 homeless veterans for a year. Recently, OSDRI acquired a 10 bedroom house at 492 South Main Street Woonsocket Rhode Island for homeless veterans. On average the cost to Operation Stand Down RI, per veteran, per year between utilities, maintenance, case management, and other assistance is $2,500.   Follow Rick's progress here:  https://www.facebook.com/RoadWarriorCyclist/

During that year, OSDRI will work directly with the veterans to assess the factors that led the individuals to homelessness and help address them. OSDRI does this by providing case management, employment assistance and training, referrals to mental health counseling, referrals to substance abuse counseling, referrals to health care, assistance coordinating VA benefits, assistance signing up for social services, and access to OSDRI’s food and clothing pantries. OSDRI’s mission is to help homeless veterans get into stable permanent housing while assisting them onto a path of financial stability and self-reliance. OSDRI currently has a case manager assigned to the property and that individual would be responsible for working with the residents and making the important connections necessary to help the veterans into a healthy sustainable lifestyle. The ultimate goal would be to assist the veteran to transition out of OSDRI housing and into their own independent living situation.

Additionally, the residents will benefit from the generosity of the community. Currently, the Woonsocket Elks Lodge and the Bellingham VFW have committed to assisting the residents in the house by providing holiday meals, donating items needed by the residence, and providing financial support by sponsoring veterans residents.

BUSINESS & CORPORATE SPONSORS:  Please include name of company in the Employer Section and type "Business or Corporate Sponsor" in the Occupation Line.  A separate letter will be sent to your company for tax purposes.

Donation by Check:  Please make payable to "OSDRI" put "Road Warrior" in Memo Section and mail to 1010 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919

ABOUT OSDRI

Operation Stand Down RI was incorporated 23 years ago by three Vietnam Era veterans who were on a mission to help their brothers and sisters in uniform pick themselves up and get on a track of self-reliance and sustainability. The organization started by hosting a weekend outreach event for homeless veterans to get access to key community and state agencies, (including the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Department of Labor, The DMV & Thundermist Dental), that could help get the individuals off the street and into sustainable housing. As the demand for services and assistance grew so did OSDRI.

In 2001 with the help of Rhode Island Housing, OSDRI opened supportive housing for veterans and their family members in Johnston, RI. After opening this first development, OSDRI continued to grow and now owns and operates 78 units of housing for homeless veterans, including the state’s only home for female veterans; the Lance Corporal Holly Charrette home.

OSDRI also assists veterans to get into their own independent housing by assisting with moving expenses, security deposits, and rent up to 9 months. Additionally, OSDRI helps veterans at risk of becoming homeless catch up on rental arrearages and get current on utility bills.

Through its work with homeless and at-risk veterans, OSDRI became conscious of the need for homeless prevention. OSDRI began to zero in on some of the factors that led its clients to homelessness in the first place, including substance abuse issues, mental health issues, and lack of gainful employment. In 2013, OSDRI implemented its employment and training program for veterans. The program focuses on connecting homeless and at-risk veterans to meaningful and sustainable employment. This same year, OSDRI also opened a food pantry for veterans and their family members. Today, OSDRI operates four food pantries located inside their local offices in Newport, Westerly, Johnston, and West Warwick. The Newport Food Pantry is one of the busiest pantries.  Veterans using the pantry not only have access to nonperishable food items but also frozen meats and gift cards to local markets.

OSDRI also works with veterans to coordinate benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to connect them with mental health counseling through community partners including the VA, the Vets Center, and other private agencies, and to link them to substance abuse or rehab programs targeting the specific needs of veterans.   OSDRI offers financial literacy training and computer training classes to veterans periodically throughout the year and on a case by case basis.

It is OSDRI’s mission to provide wrap around services to veterans to get them into affordable housing and on a path to a healthy sustainable lifestyle.