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Last month's Bridging the Gap Colloquium was a huge success! On March 28th in Hampton, VA, our Ministry of Service team gathered more than 240 faith leaders, community partners, changemakers, and volunteers for an unforgettable evening of connection and purpose.

The goal of this year's colloquium was to engage in meaningful discussions about social challenges impacting the Tidewater community and beyond. Through a series of breakout sessions, participants explored solutions and community collaborations to help to address mental illness, substance misuse, violence, generational divides, poverty and more.

Thank You to Our Partners!

We want to thank Hampton City Vice Mayor Steven Brown, Newport News City Councilwoman Tina Vick, and all of our amazing speakers, performers and session leaders for helping to host this year's colloquium. We are also extremely grateful to all of our attendees and the following partners whose participation and support helped to make the colloquium possible.

If you were able to join, we hope you felt inspired and will stay engaged with our Ministry of Service. To learn more about our Ministry of Service and the Bridging the Gap Colloquium, visit www.voachesapeake.org/voaministry or click the button below.

Bruce's Story: Finding more than a place to

call home

Bruce Rogers has always had a deep connection to rhythm—whether through the sounds of jazz, R&B, or the steady beat of life that’s taken him from Greensboro, NC to a peaceful home at the Maple Court Veteran Apartments in Durham. Now 53, Bruce reflects on his journey from the Navy to moments of homelessness, and how he’s finally found stability, community, and peace thanks to Volunteers of America.

Bruce was just 17 when he enlisted in the military. He served from 1989 to 1993 as a boiler operator aboard the USS Suribachi, completing two major deployments during the Gulf War. His military service took him around the world—to Spain, France, Italy, and even Jerusalem, where he visited the Wailing Wall and saw what many believe to be the footprints of Jesus.

But after returning home, Bruce faced a reality many veterans know too well: the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life.

After leaving the Navy, Bruce returned to Greensboro. He found work at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and later University of North Carolina Greensboro. But mounting grief from the loss of two uncles, untreated PTSD, and challenges with housing stability led to a period of deep depression. 

"I was homeless, but you wouldn't know it. I wasn't on the street. I was bouncing from place to place, staying with people, but never really with myself." – Bruce

Hardship continued to follow Bruce, including a devastating house fire and time in and out of shelters due to financial instability. Over time, Bruce knew he needed a change. But with limited options, he wasn’t sure where to turn.

After a friend recommended he move to Durham, Bruce discovered Volunteers of America and our Maple Court Veteran Apartments, a permanent supportive housing program for veterans in need. Today, Bruce calls Maple Court home, and he couldn’t be more grateful.

"What I enjoy the most about Maple Court is the respect factor and the peace. It's quiet, it's calm, and we're all veterans. There's an automatic connection. No drama, just brothers in arms. We've got a pond, geese walking around, and a real community. That's rare." – Bruce

Thanks to the support of programs like Maple Court, Bruce has been able to focus on his well-being, maintain his housing through disability benefits, and reconnect with the things that bring him joy.

You can make a difference.

You can help to ensure this program can continue to be a safe haven for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect all Americans. With a donation of just $50, you can provide essential items—like fresh linens—for a veteran moving into Maple Court.

Will you help a hero take their next step toward healing and hope?

Join us for the 4th Annual Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Youth Mental Health Expo, a partnership among VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas, the Prince George's County Health Department, and Audacy to equip young people ages 16 to 24 and their caregivers with the local tools and resources they need to support their mental health and wellness.

Saturday | May 10 | 10AM – 3PM

Bowie State University

Leonidas S. James Physical Education Complex

1400 Jericho Park Rd | Bowie, MD

Featured Activities

• Live Entertainment
• Wellness Experiences
• Education & Advocacy
• Mental Health Vendors
• Prince George's County Resources
• Interactive Activities
• Open Mic & More

Registration

Registration is FREE, but required. Register online in advance or on-site.

To learn more about the G.O.A.T. Expo and register, visit https://thegoatexpo.com or click the button below.

Join us for Hope Wins, a powerful evening of inspiration, storytelling, music, and celebration led by our Ministry of Service. Hope Wins is a ticketed event designed to honor the strength of the human spirit while raising critical support for VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas Crisis Ministry.

Friday | May 23 | 7PM

Zion Church

 8829 Greenbelt Rd | Greenbelt, MD

Renowned community advocate, WUSA9 anchor, and journalist Allison Seymour will emcee the evening, guiding attendees through a vibrant program of uplifting performances and testimonies.

What to Expect

• Powerful keynote by NFL Buffalo Bills Defensive Tackle, Larry Ogunjobi 
• Live music from diverse and talented performers 
• Comedy and connection 
• Community and celebration 
• On-site concessions 
• Support for a great cause 

Why Attend?

Hope Wins is more than an event, it’s a celebration of hope in action. Every ticket purchased will support our Crisis Ministry, a dedicated team of ministers providing crisis support to communities in need—responding to events like natural disasters, mass shootings, fires, and other emergencies.

Funds raised through Hope Wins will help to create and distribute "crisis kits" with physical, emotional, and spiritual resources to those in need. Our Ministry of Service team will also engage community leaders through debriefs, emotional support, workshops, focus groups, and resource fairs. 

To learn more about Hope Wins and buy your tickets, visit www.voachesapeake.org/hope-wins or click the button below.

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