The Veterans Stand Down & Job Fair is a free event with access to dozens of employers and agencies held annually in Portland, Oregon. In 2009 and 2010, more than 600 veterans attended the Stand Down with more than 30 potential employers and dozens of service providers. Attending veterans connected to job opportunities and needed services as well as with each other.

The 2010 Stand Down was held Monday, March 8th in Northeast Portland. It is organized by Central City Concern's Employment Access Center, Department of Veteran's Affairs, WorkSource Oregon, Hire Oregon Vets, Returning Veterans Project and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 1. 

View 2010 Flyer!

Are you an employer interested in hiring Veterans?  If so, please contact our Veterans Job Developer, Kate Koehler, to learn more about future Stand Downs and other opportunities to outreach to Veterans.  Kate can be reached at kkoehler@centralcityconcern.org or 503-226-7387 ext. 234.

Click here for a list of social service providers that were in attendance.

2010 Attending Employers Included:
AAA
American Red Cross
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Brooks Staffing
Central City Concern
Coca-Cola
Columbia Sportswear
Comcast
DoubleTree
Easter Seals
Express Employment Professionals
Integra Telecom
IRS
Kaiser Permanente
Kraft Foods
Leatherman Tools
Metro
Multnomah County Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Portland Habilitation Center
Randstad
Securitas
Seniors Make Sense
US Census Bureau
US Fish and Wildlife
Vigor Industries
Washington County

Historically, in times of war, a Stand Down was an opportunity for combat units to take time to rest and recover at secure base camp areas. The Stand Down today is directed at homeless veterans; it began in 1988 in San Diego as an opportunity for veterans to gather and access assistance. Each year, there are nearly 100 Stand Down events held across the country.