 
 Stand Down Event Will Connect Homeless Veterans With Resources This Thursday
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (September 22, 2026) - Kent County Veterans Services is inviting homeless and at-risk veterans from across Kent County to attend the annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down.
This free event, held in partnership with Kent County Veterans Services and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will take place on Thursday, September 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Grant Pavilion in Millennium Park.
About 70 vendors and 35 volunteers have signed up to take part in this event.
Due to ongoing construction at Kent County's Fuller Campus, the event has moved to Millennium Park's Grant Pavilion located on the east side of Maynard Avenue in Secchia Meadows.
Last year, about 150 veterans attended the Stand Down event. The term "stand down" comes from a military practice in which a combat unit returns from the field to a safe area for rest, recovery and resupply.
The community event applies that concept by providing veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness with a place to access services and support.
Transportation Available
Anyone in need of a ride to the event can call our office at 616-632-5722 and can catch a ride thanks to a partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
If you are interested:
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Please call us and put your name on the transportation list.
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Be at our office, 836 Fuller Avenue NE in Grand Rapids, by 8:45am on 9/24. The shuttle will be leaving our office at 9am to take veterans to Millennium Park.
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All veterans who want a ride back should be ready to leave Millennium Park by 1pm and the bus will bring them back to veterans services.
Media Information
Media is welcome to attend the event and speak with Veterans Services staff and veterans who are willing to be interviewed. Call or text Dan Zar when you are on the way at 616-401-1477. Below is an aerial map to help you navigate where to go.
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