We are excited to announce that as of October 1st, our Maple Court Veterans Transitional Housing Program in Durham, NC will officially become a permanent housing program for our nation's heroes experiencing homelessness!

Since 2009, this 24-apartment program has provided temporary housing, care and assistance moving veterans into homes of their own with support from U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and givers of hope like you. Given the limited options for affordable housing for veterans, we are excited to be making this shift with help from the community.

It truly takes a village to make transformations like this possible.

Our hearts are full with the recent donation of 20 brand-new mattresses and linens, food and hygiene kits to the veterans who now have the option to remain at Maple Court in the long-term! These donations have already brought the vulnerable veterans we serve so much comfort and joy.

We want to give special thanks to Deacon G. from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry, All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Mattress Firm, Enterprise Fleet, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for helping to make this amazing gift possible!

Our Vice President of the Carolinas Region, Dr. Ron Flack; Maple Court staff; Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry; All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in a group photo.

Deacon G. from the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and other volunteers offload brand-new mattresses from an Enterprise truck.

If you are a part of a company, church or organization that is looking for a way to make a lasting impact like this for your most vulnerable neighbors in Maryland, DC, Virginia or the Carolinas, consider joining our Corporate Year of Service Program at www.voachesapeake.org/yearofservice or click the button below.

If you asked Gregory what he values most in life, he would tell you “family”. When he was a young man, one of his sisters had four children she could no longer raise. So, Gregory’s mother adopted them. After his mother suddenly passed due to sickness, Gregory was left the legal guardian of his nieces and nephews at the young age of 18. But this didn’t bother him.

“When my mother died, I was just a teenager. I let my nephew wear some of my clothes to school. But I was happy because I was doing it. And that’s what family does.” – Gregory

 A year ago, Gregory was in a car accident that left him in a wheel chair with a mountain of medical bills. The most heartbreaking part about this story is that it was at this time that one of his family members stole money from him. In his greatest hour of need, Gregory became homeless with nowhere to go.

Gregory standing on the balcony of the Alexandria Community Shelter.

“When I left the hospital, my niece tried to put me in a nursing home. And the word ‘nursing home’ scared me to death. When I was younger, I didn’t know what it was. So, I asked my brother. And he told me it’s a place where they send you when your family don’t have time to take care of you. They put you there to die. So, when my niece tried to put me in a nursing home, I thought to myself ‘Oh, my God. I’m gonna die.”

With no other options, Gregory eventually found his way to Volunteers of America and the Alexandria Community Shelter.

“I had heard that this place will help you. So, that’s why I came. I needed help and I wanted to get up. And I will tell you, my case manager is awesome. They help me stay healthy. When I arrived, I was in a wheel chair and then I had a walker. Now I walk just fine. They also help me pay for my medicine. They help me get around. They’ve given me clothing. And now, they are helping me find a place.”

Early this month, Gregory celebrated his 77^th birthday and although his journey towards independent living still continues, he’s very grateful for all of the support donors like you have made possible for him and others at the shelter.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people who help the shelter and the staff here. The staff are awesome. And it means a lot to me.”

With the holidays fast approaching many of the individuals and families we serve at the shelter will be in need of holiday cheer. To learn more about how you can be the light for them, consider joining our Adopt-A-Family program at www.voachesapeake.org/adopt-a-family or by clicking the button below.

We're less than a month out from the Harvest for Hope Bull Roast & Oyster Feast and we've already sold over 340 tickets! Don't miss out on this all-you-can-eat evening of fun and games, and all in support of Volunteers of America!

Thurs, October 26th | 6:00PM – 9:00PM

Martin's Valley Mansion

594 Cranbrook Rd | Cockeysville, MD 21030

BULL ROAST & OYSTERS | ENTERTAINMENT | AUCTIONS | RAFFLES & MORE!

Come experience an evening of transformation and hope that only you make possible when you support Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas. Guests will enjoy:

• Fresh oysters by Pro Shuckers Seafood Catering
• Live music by Jon Zorn
• Prize raffles
• Live & silent auctions
• Open premium bar
• Pit beef
• Pit turkey
• Pit ham
• Steamed shrimp & more!

By purchasing a ticket and getting involved, you can be a part of this effort to raise $200,000 to provide affordable housing, care and a second chance to individuals and families who need it most. And donors like you have already made amazing progress towards this goal, raising $92,000+ so far!

To learn more about Harvest for Hope, tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and other ways to get involved, visit voachesapeake.org/h4h2023 or click the button below.