This month's newsletter is a wonderful example of all the people that make Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas so special.
You'll learn about employees that are making a difference, donors who trust us with their money to help those that need support, and a few of our clients who demonstrate it's never too late to turn your life around.
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If you happened to see Pat Murphy volunteering at the Boys & Girl Club, or serving lunches to residents at the Howard County senior center, you may not have guessed that just five years ago, this 66-year-old was living in a tent in the woods.
“I was lost and I didn’t know what I was going to do,”
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Growing up and living most of his life in Prince George’s County, Pat worked as a substitute teacher and a high school football coach. He was happy with his work, but his limited earnings meant he needed to either stay with friends or rent rooms.
Around 2007, Pat left Greenbelt, MD to live with his sister and help take care of her. For a time, he had a place to call home until his sister finally passed away. His brother then stepped in and provided him a house. But this left Pat dependent on securing roommates to help pay the mortgage, which was a struggle. When that didn’t work out, Pat was homeless once again and found himself bouncing around from and place to place for the next seven years.
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In 2014, Pat ended up in Jessup, MD. From April to October, he lived in a tent and a cold weather shelter from November to March. That pattern continued until August of 2017, when one day while washing his clothes and getting a meal at the old Howard County Day Resource Center, he was introduced to our new Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center, which offers 35 units of housing for formerly chronically homeless adults.
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“I always believed if you have faith in God, things will work out for you.” |
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Pat is just one of the clients we feature in our 2021 Gratitude Report. To read the rest of Pat's story or more inspiring success stories like his or to learn more about our Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center, click the buttons below.
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The son of a Navy man, Joe Gilley, his mother and his four siblings were always on the move. But wherever his family landed, Joe's parents always stressed the importance of giving back.
"They always taught us that getting involved helped them feel tied to the community and feel less transient as we moved around."
Eventually, Joe's family set up roots in Buffalo, NY. His parents continued to set a strong example for Joe and his siblings by donating their time and money to support local charities. Joe's mother was especially active, volunteering for 11 years as a Girl Scout leader.
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Joe eventually followed in his dad’s footsteps by joining the Navy where he has been proudly serving for the past eight years. Currently a Lieutenant, Joe lives in Chantilly, VA and serves with the NAVWAR Space Field Activity (NSFA) researching space technology for the Navy.
Joe recently returned from a six-month deployment is Kuwait, where he supported the Army with strengthening their data systems. Joe also served time on the USS Harry S. Truman.
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In addition to serving our country at home and abroad, Joe makes time to serve those most in need in his local community by giving back just like his parents taught him. In his research to find trusted charities making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, Joe discovered Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas. Since 2019, Joe has been bringing hope to those who need it most every month through his giving to VOACC.
"I receive monthly emails thanking me for my gift along with updates on how and where the money is being used."
Joe has about 12 more years left in the Navy before he retires, and he’s about to begin a new three-year stint as part of the Office of Naval Intelligence. Regardless of where Joe ends up in his career, one thing that will remain constant for him is trusting in VOACC to put his generous donations to the greatest use in the community.
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To learn more about our services that support the homeless and veterans in your region, visit us at www.voachesapeake.org or click below.
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To make a one-time or monthly gift like Lieutenant Gilley, select below. |
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Inspiring Hope During A Crisis |
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Dr. Cherisse Collins
Senior Program Director
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, GPD Maple, GPD Case Management
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Since 2019, our Coordinated Entry with Diversion Program has been the main entry point for residents at risk of homelessness in Durham, NC. We are honored to partner with Durham County Social Services' in working towards our shared goal of preventing and ending homelessness Durham.
Thanks to funding through Durham's Forever Home program and supporters like you, in 2021, our program was able to help over 2,800 men, women and children facing homelessness connect to housing resources and other service providers through Entry Point Durham.
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The goal of Entry Point and our Coordinated Entry program is to help resolve a housing crisis for individuals and families in need. Through these programs those in need are referred to shelter or housing programs based on need and availability.
Our Senior Program Director, Dr. Cherisse Collins, works closely with the program. Recently, Collins reflected on the people that have been served and the community need. “We’ve had people come to us more than once, and our response is the same – we listen, try to understand their situation and help resolve it.”
Need Help?
The Entry Point team will:
- Listen as you share your current situation
- Ask questions about what housing and services you need
- Help you find a safe place to sleep tonight
- Connect you to resources that may help resolve your housing crisis, such as shelter if it’s available, health care services, transportation, and others.
If you or someone you know is a Durham, NC resident experiencing a housing crisis, you can learn more about Entry Point by visiting:
Durham Department of Social Services
Aging and Adult Services
414 E. Main Street (second floor in Lobby 27)
Monday through Friday
8:00AM – 3:00PM
AND
801 Gilbert Street
12PM – 8PM
If you or someone you know is seeking shelter during the weekend or on a county holiday visit:
801 Gilbert Street
4:30PM – 8PM
For more information, you can also call Durham County Department for Social Services at 919-560-8000 or 984-287-8313.
If you are fleeing violence please call Durham Crisis Response Center’s 24 Hour Hotline at 919-403-6562.
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For more information about this program, click here.
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VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas visits Miami |
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Last month, we shared about Madison Landmesser, our stellar Direct Support Professional (DSP) who works in our Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Services program in Woodbridge, VA.
Madison was recently named the "Virginia DSP of the Year" by the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), a national organization.
As a follow-up to that story, we're excited to report that Madison officially received her award at ANCOR's national convention in Miami, FL.
Congratulations Madison!
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(Pictured left to right) Natalie Gibbs, Program Director of the Hampton Roads I/DD Program; Ursula Kiel, Senior Program Director of the DC I/DD Program; Madison Landmesser; Carrie Cortez, Executive Program Director of the Virginia I/DD Services; Candace Vanderwater, Chief Operating Officer
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April showers, bring May flowers
car donations.
Isn't that the saying?
Pick up is FREE and your donation is tax-deductible.
Click the image or give us a call at 1-833-300-5737
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The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Mental Health Expo
As part of mental health awareness month, we are excited to be partnering with the Prince George’s County Health Department and the Bowie State University Graduate Student Association, to bring you The Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Mental Health Expo 2022.
Join us on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Bowie State University for this first annual expo focusing on supporting the mental health and wellness of youth and their caregivers in Prince George’s County, MD. The expo is completely FREE and will offer:
- Workshops
- Exhibitors
- Live Entertainment
- Interactive Activities
- Open Mic
- Dancing
- & More
Did you know?
Did you know that mental health conditions for young people ages 18-24 have been rising at a greater rate than any other age group? The pandemic has only worsened health outcomes for youth. In 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General declared a children’s mental health crisis.
By attending The G.O.A.T. expo you can learn more about resources available to youth in need and show your support in breaking the stigma around talking about mental health and wellness.
To learn more about The G.O.A.T Expo and register,
visit www.thegoatexpo.com or click the button below.
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Operation Backpack® is our initiative to fill in the gap for our region’s most vulnerable children. From now through August 29, 2022, your donations will help us provide backpacks, school supplies, school uniforms, academic enrichment opportunities and more to 2,500 homeless and underprivileged children in Maryland, DC and Virginia.
Together, we can help ensure these children achieve success
despite their circumstances.
Last year, we raised $37,000 and provided 2,000 students backpacks,
supplies and laptops!
Our 2022 Operation Backpack® goal is to raise $40,000 to support even more kids in need. To learn more about how to make an impact, visit www.voachesapeake.org/backpack or click the button below.
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Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas
(301) 459-2020 | 7901 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD 20706
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