Cortney Knight
cknight@voaches.org
APRIL 15, 2026 | FAYETTEVILLE, NC
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC) is proud to support the 2026 Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down, taking place on April 24, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at VFW Post 6018 (116 Chance St., Fayetteville, NC 28301). This collaborative community event connects veterans with essential services that address immediate needs while building pathways toward long-term stability, health, and housing security.
The Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down brings together more than 30 community partners, government agencies, and Veteran Service Organizations to provide coordinated support for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Services available onsite will include health screenings, employment resources, housing assistance, legal support, counseling services, haircuts and grooming, meals, clothing, and access to programs that help veterans move forward with dignity and confidence.
“I am deeply proud of the collective impact we anticipate at the 2026 Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down. As a trusted grantee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VOACC is honored to deliver Supportive Services for Veteran Families across 62 counties in North Carolina. This event reflects our shared commitment to preventing and ending Veteran homelessness through timely access to housing, rapid stabilization, and sustained support.”
-Dr. Ron Flack, Jr., Vice President of Carolinas Region, VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas
“More than a moment, the Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down is a bridge, where Fayetteville Cares and our community partners help Veterans move from one day of service into lasting support and next steps forward.”
-Michele Damato, Director of Fayetteville Cares
Community partners, including The Salvation Army and Dunkin Donuts, will sponsor breakfast and lunch for attendees, while United Way will provide volunteers throughout the day. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department and the Fayetteville Police Department will conduct outreach in the weeks leading up to the event, connecting veterans in encampments with available services and encouraging participation. Participating organizations include Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Bridge Home, NCWorks, Employment for Vets, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and many other community-based partners committed to supporting those who have served our country.
“If we don’t help each other, something went wrong! TOGETHER we will Leave No Vet Behind!“
-Chris Mitchell, Community Outreach and Mentor Coordinator, Cumberland County Veterans Treatment Court
A Veteran Stand Down is modeled after the military concept of providing rest and recovery for service members. Today, these events create safe and welcoming environments where veterans can access coordinated services in one location, helping remove barriers to care and connection
Why Veterans Should Attend
Veterans attending the Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down will have access to trusted providers offering practical support designed to improve stability, health, and overall well-being. By bringing services together in one place, the event helps veterans quickly connect with the resources they need and identify next steps toward housing stability and independence.
Attendees will have access to:
- Housing resources and supportive services
- Employment support and job readiness guidance
- Health screenings and wellness resources
- Legal guidance and benefits navigation
- Free haircuts and grooming services
- Meals and essential supplies
- Resources for service animals and pets
- Opportunities to build community with fellow veterans
Veterans experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or in need of additional support are encouraged to attend.
To learn more about Supportive Services for Veteran Families in North Carolina may visit www.voachesapeake.org/ssvf-nc/.
Through partnerships like the Cumberland County Homeless Veterans Stand Down, VOACC continues its commitment to strengthening communities and ensuring that those who served our nation have access to the care, resources, and opportunities they deserve.
About Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas
Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (“VOACC”) is a faith-based, nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire self-reliance, dignity, and hope through housing, health, and human services.
At VOACC, we have been helping to create Healthy Communities for All for 130 years by aligning housing, health, and human services. We actively pursue health equity by filling the gap in housing and care for underserved populations, including those who are experiencing homelessness, low-income, underinsured or uninsured, justice-involved, and veterans. By offering integrated housing and care, we address the social determinants that impact long-term stability.
Through more than 500 staff members and over 2,000 volunteers, we operate 37 programs across Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Our services focus on eight core areas: homeless services, supportive housing, veteran services, mental health services, substance use recovery, community reentry, workforce development, and intellectual and developmental disabilities services. Each year, Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas serves more than 9,700 individuals and families.
For more information, please visit www.voachesapeake.org