26th Annual Manatee County Stand Down & Amnesty Court & Hurricane Relief
BRADENTON – Turning Points and its partners are hosting the 26th annual Manatee County Stand Down on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at 8:00 am to 12:00pm at the Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. West in Palmetto.
Stand Down focuses on helping veterans and non-veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, connect to resources and to receive critical needs services. Everyone and anyone who comes to Stand Down, receives services that day. Everyone is welcome to attend! Especially now with our community ravaged by three hurricanes.
Tunnel to Towers is participating for the first time this year at Stand Down as a sponsor and veterans service provider. Additional sponsors include MCR Health, Manasota Elks #2734, Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota Elks #2855, Manatee County Government, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Palmetto Station, Christian Care Alliance, Tropicana, Mayors Feed the Hungry, Aetna, and others.
Services include: hot lunch, distribution of hygiene products, giveaways, haircuts, general and mental health exams, dental and vision services, veteran services, Career Fair, and Amnesty Court. Plus there is live music, food, fun, and great camaraderie all morning! Over 500 attendees and volunteers attend. Opening ceremonies start the Stand Down at 8:00am with services following thereafter.
During the past few years, the Stand Down Amnesty Court by the 12th Judicial Circuit Court has dismissed over $90,000 in fines and court fees for our local veterans. Veterans Amnesty court is open to Manatee County and Sarasota County veterans and are asked to bring their VA card or DD-214 and a driver’s license.
Veterans Amnesty Court can assist with:
– Unpaid court fees/fines (closed cases)
– Unpaid traffic fines/fees
– Driver’s license assistance
Turning Points is partnering with over 50 local organizations including: Bay Pines VA Medical Center, The Salvation Army, Centerstone, CareerSource Suncoast, MCR Health Services, Manatee County Health Department, JFCS, LECOM, Goodwill Manasota, Bring on the Ministry, Hope Family Services, Whole Child Manatee and many Veterans, religious groups, and other organizations. The full list of partners will be listed on our website – https://tpmanatee.org/events/26th-annual-manatee-county-stand-down/ . Volunteers are still needed – contact Carolyn Nielsen at [email protected].
Stand Down is a life-changing event for many of the veterans we will see on November 2nd. It is absolutely amazing to see the transition that can occur in a struggling veteran’s life upon accessing services at Turning Points.
About Turning Points
Turning Points provides a remarkable variety of services designed to assist individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence. Turning Points is the one stop shop for preventing and reducing homelessness in our community. We provide day resource services (such as hot showers, laundry services, clothing, food), employment services, rental and utility assistance, veteran’s services (employment, housing and childcare), and free medical and dental care for the uninsured and underinsured. Over 9,000 people received help last year with critical services targeted to the essential needs of people in crisis.
For more information, visit http://tpmanatee.org/
Turning Points · 701 17th Avenue West, Bradenton FL 34205 Tel · 941-747-1509 Fax · 941-567-6149