The Mission:
To provide marginal and homeless veterans in the Kansas City metro access to short- and long-term resources necessary to begin rebuilding their lives. Together, as a community, we provide resources necessary to assist veterans in ridding barriers that prohibit them from more fulfilling, productive lives.
Heart of America Stand Down Foundation:
The Heart of America Stand Down Foundation hosts two Stand Downs, annually, serving veterans in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is run entirely by dedicated volunteers with 100% of proceeds going toward providing support to veterans.
Arthur Filmore and Robert Waechter, founded the Heart of America Stand Down Foundation in 1993 in response to the growing number of homeless veterans on the streets of Kansas City. Their hope was to bring comfort and care to fellow veterans who struggle after returning home. Art and Bob initially intended to spend five years providing services to those in need who served our country with honor. The epidemic of homeless veterans continues and there is still work to be done. While the number of returning veterans at our events has decreased, the number of first-year attendees continues to increase.
The Summer Stand Down at St. Michael’s Veterans Center was a great success. Close to 450 Veterans were served and 275 volunteers helped with the event over the course of two days.
