St. Cloud Stand Down Expo and Job Fair Thursday

(KNSI) – St. Cloud is hosting the only Stand Down Expo and Job Fair for veterans in 2021. The 36th annual event is Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the River’s Edge Convention Center. The event is designed to connect veterans with housing, mental health providers, veteran services and jobs. St. Cloud Stand Down Executive Director Bob Behrens says all vets are invited.

“You just need to come. Any and all veterans. And this this is a premier program. A premier event for veterans. So, I hope to see every veteran there.”

From MACV

Behrens says there will be 43 organizations that can help veterans with concerns, issues and questions. Everything from the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) to Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) to the VA Health Care System will be there to help veterans.

“We can sincerely, honestly help you. Let’s address the issues head on and figure out what we can do because that basically is the attitude of Stand Down. We have a can do attitude. We can help you and we do help veterans, day in and day out.”

Behrens says any vet looking for work should bring their resume because around 30 businesses like Rock on Trucking, Capital One and Martin Marietta are looking to hire vets.

“We’ve done this for many years. But this is our biggest and I think this is going to be one of our best. You come, you’ll get a haircut, we’ll feed you. There’s a lot of free stuff. It’s just good for all veterans.”

If you can’t make the Stand Down event, the St. Cloud Stand Down building is at 724 33rd Avenue North and is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Last year’s Stand Down events were canceled because of COVID-19.

___