Overview of the Homeless Stand Down 2011

The 20th annual Homeless Stand Down was organized by Interact Cleveland again this year.  Because of the closure of the Convention Center, it took place at the Masonic Temple in the Midtown section of Cleveland.  Here are the statistics from the Health and Services Stand Down on February 18, 2011:

  • Over 350 guests came through check in
  • Over 100 volunteers signed in
  • Over 280 breakfasts were served
  • Over 500 lunches were served
  • 54 flu shots were given by the Cleveland Dept. of Public Health
  • Over 90 haircuts were provided
  • 30 mini-health exams were given
  • Over 55 podiatry services were given, and over 100 bags of socks, powder and hand sanitizers were given away
  • Over 500 hygiene kits were distributed
  • Over 500 bus passes were distributed
  • Over 50 social service agencies were available for information
  • 14 Pap screenings were done by Cleveland Clinic and 15 Mammograms by Women's Diagnostic.

Overall with the two days of the Stand Down at the Masonic Temple

  • Over 1,200 guests served
  • Over 660 event volunteers from over 85 groups
  • Over 100 groups provided in-kind support
  • Over 30 different funders
  • 129 haircuts
  • 175 podiatry screenings
  • 77 mini-check ups
  • Over 1,800 hygiene kits, 2,000 diapers and pull ups, and 2,000 bagged lunches distributed over all 3 HSD events
  • Over 370 portraits by the Cleveland Photographic Society, and over 890 volunteer hours. Click on the you tube video from the day or the flier photographs.
  • 966 guests enjoyed a hot lunch of chili and chicken philly sandwiches
  • 623 guests (including 117 veterans) accessed winter clothing, socks and underwear
  • Live entertainment, including a participatory drum circle and open mic
  • 383 volunteer hours provided by residents from Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry’s 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter
  • 55 Health and Human Service agencies present
  • Mock interviews by Cleveland Transfer Connection
  • 14 pap smears (all negative) by Cleveland Clinic Foundation
  • Various legal groups
  • Youth Abilities and North Coast Academy led children’s activities, including puppy petting, and writing cards to military service members
  • Sanford Brown College provided 75 massages, 65 blood pressure checks, 100 blankets, as well as 20 hat/gloves/scarves sets
  • 15 mammograms were performed
  • 6 hearing screenings were performed by The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center

Plans have already begun for a 2012. Thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who helped with this important event. And thanks to the Masonic Temple for being willing to host hundreds of homeless people.

Copyright Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless and the Street Chronicle published April 2011 Cleveland, Ohio

Chris Knestrick