Member News

Rochester, NY – With just under 40,000 veterans living in Monroe County, many of them need access to critical care and life-altering services. Stand Down 2025, hosted by Veterans Outreach Center, gives veterans in our area the chance to connect with providers and employers in one location at the same time.

The 24th annual Stand Down will take place Friday, September 12th at the Rochester Public Market, 280 Union Street North, Rochester, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The event is in partnership with the VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System, Monroe County Veterans Service Agency, the City of Rochester, NYS Division of Veteran Services, Blue Star Mothers, and the Sons of the American Legion.

“Our veterans have earned access to a wide range of services through their sacrifice and service,” Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director and U.S. Army veteran Laura Heltz said. “Stand Down is an essential event that brings these vital resources directly to our local veteran community in one place. We encourage all veterans, whether they've used our services before or not, to come explore their eligibility and take advantage of every benefit they've earned.”

“The Stand Down is an opportunity to give back to the Veterans who have given so much,” said Danielle Bergman, Acting Medical Center Director for VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System. “By working with community partners, we are able to provide support that addresses not only immediate needs like housing, employment, and health care, but also the long-term wellbeing of those who have served our nation.”

“Monroe County is committed to supporting military veterans, and we proudly join this effort to link veterans with housing assistance, mental health resources, healthcare, and job counseling,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello.

“Too often, veterans don’t know the benefits they are entitled to. The Stand Down event brings an array of agencies together in one location to bridge that gap. I'm grateful to Laura Heltz and her team at Veterans Outreach Center for hosting this event and for all the work they do to support local veterans.”

“The VOC Stand Down continues to be the largest and most effective community event targeting Veteran employment, education, housing, and other supportive services in this area,” said Nick Stefanovic, Director of Monroe County’s Veterans Service Agency. “We’re proud to partner with the Veterans Outreach Center to accomplish these goals.”

Stand Down 2025 is sponsored by Essential Solutions, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Eagle Star Housing, Reliant Credit Union, and CCOR.

Registration is available on-site the day of the event, or you can register at VOC at 447 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620.

For questions related to the event, please contact Nena Siverd at 585.295.7818 or Nena.Siverd@vocroc.org.