Originally published in Energy Magazine: The official Publication of the Healing Touch Program February Issue The San Diego Stand Down by Carole Sarian, LMT, HTCP Patricia Fredericks Donna Magden Cathyrose Johnson, Minister, HTPA Marilyn Duba, Level 1 Student; Barbara Lester Victoria Lea Shirley Smalley Suzanne Weeks, HTP; Linda Huckabee
Stand Downs are one to three day events offered - throughout the year in cities all across the country – to provide services to homeless veterans such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, VA and Social Security benefits counseling, and referrals to a variety of other necessary services, such as housing, employment and substance abuse treatment. Stand Downs are collaborative events, coordinated between local VAs, other government agencies, and community agencies who serve the homeless.
The first Stand Down was organized in San Diego in 1988. Eight years ago, Healing Touch was brought to the San Diego Stand Down by Joan Tweed, a pioneering woman who brought with her a small tent, a couple of tables and a big heart. Since that time, San Diego has consistently risen to the occasion providing an ever-increasing number of volunteers from a range of healing modalities resulting in the Alternative and Integrative Medicine tent being the largest tent at the Stand Down – surpassing the Medical Tent.
Based on this, I am optimistic that the presence of Healing Touch at every Stand Down throughout the country will be a reality. It is my hope that Alternative and Integrative Medicine tents will be available at every Stand Down and that Healing Touch will be a major contributor.