MANCHESTER, NH – More than 200 veterans, community partners, and supporters gathered last Friday at Eversource Energy Park for the 21st Annual New Hampshire Veteran Stand Down, hosted by Harbor Care in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, and more than 50 community organizations.
The event, modeled on the military tradition of a temporary base camp, provided veterans with direct access to housing, healthcare, employment, benefits, and other vital services. Fifty-six community partners were onsite, serving more than 100 veterans in need of assistance.
Mayor Jay Ruais updated attendees on the city’s initiative to end veteran homelessness, launched at Stand Down in September 2024.
“Since launching our initiative last fall, 62 veterans have been placed in permanent housing, with dozens more prevented from falling into homelessness. For the first time in five years, our city is housing veterans faster than new cases are emerging,” said Mayor Ruais. “I am incredibly proud of this progress and deeply grateful to Harbor Care and all of our community partners for their leadership and collaboration. Together, we will finish the job and ensure every veteran in Manchester has a place to call home.”
Said Henry Och, President & CEO of Harbor Care,“Manchester is proving that ending veteran homelessness is possible. Harbor Care is proud to partner in this effort to ensure every veteran has a safe place to call home.”
Kevin Forrest, Director of the Medical Center at Manchester VA Health Care, and Major General David Mikolaities of NH National Guard also welcomed the crowd. Alan St. Louis performed the national anthem.