Dear Friend,

As we turn the page on 2020, despite all of its challenges, we are so grateful that you continue to support the work we do for our region's most vulnerable. And as we look ahead to a new start in 2021, we are excited to share with you some past successes and preview some future highlights.
We were honored to partner with Volunteers of America National, Brookfield Properties and their shopping centers across the country as part of the Warm For The Winter national coat drive. Through this partnership and supporters like you, we collected nearly 3,000 coats and cold weather clothing for low-income individuals and families across the DC Metropolitan Area and North Carolina.
"2020 was a challenging year for so many, and we were excited to be a part of this initiative to support our local communities."
- Rich Dinning, Sr. General Manager, Tysons Galleria
We are so grateful for all of our partners and the awesome individual and corporate sponsors whose immense generosity and participation have helped to keep hundreds of families warm during the holidays and rest of winter. Our Adopt-A-Family and coat donation programs have been tremendously successful this year. VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas, and the families and individuals who were personally impacted by these programs want to say a special 'Thank You' to the following:
Brookfield Properties; Wegmans; Giant Foods; Publix; Burlington; Navy Federal Credit Union; Prince George's County Community Credit Union; Teens Jack & Jill of America (Greater Suburban Maryland); Joy Hager Memorial Fund, American Legion & Masons Post #7; Synama Grove Missionary Baptist Church; St. Luke’s Church; Summit Church & Marcia and Jean Gurtner and Jeanine Meece; Falls River Village & Court Assisted Living; NSDA of Durham; The Martin Architectural Group, P. C.; Clapp 360 Communications; VOA Residential Re-entry Center Team; Foundation Development Group; Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity, Inc.; AquaSafe Pool Management, Inc.; Paul Tillinghast; Rosalind Wilson; Nicole Jones; Margaret Anthony; Steve & Denise Edwards; Meagan Roper; Lichee Williams; Deepthi Jain; Erica Wilson; Karen Johnson; Cristina Del Rosario; Rosalyn Pritchett; Erin Ward; Amanda Schwoerke; Stephanie Alt Lamm; Kristin Schillings; Rachel Renbarger; Kymberly Wuelzer; Rev. Wayne Hager (First Baptist Church Raleigh); Allie Baker; Azanique Rawl; Gigi Lane; Brenda McCarroll
Many people may not realize that Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest and most effective affordable housing developers. Locally, we have been very active in developing and managing affordable housing for over 20 years – most recently completing a substantial rehab of Paca House that created 92 units of high-quality affordable housing in Baltimore, MD.
With hopes to expand on this success, we joined forces with VOA National Services to form the Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Development Corporation (MANDC) and we've chosen a new member of our VOA family to lead the way.

Owen McCabe, originally from Pennsylvania and now living in New Jersey with his wife Erin and three children, came to VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas from VOA Delaware Valley where he spent nine years. In that time, he worked on 10 projects that are worth about $200 million and provide housing for 500 people. 

MANDC is modeled after a similar, very successful, program with VOA Southeast Louisiana and has immediate plans to develop affordable housing projects in Baltimore, as well as Durham and Raleigh, NC.

When not working, Owen loves spending time outdoors skiing, camping and hiking with his family, including their new “Covid dog” Sully. He also loves watching cooking shows about BBQ but says he only dabbles in it because he knows it’s “an art that takes many years to get right.”
"I'm excited to not only make an impact with our residents but also with 'main street' in the communities we serve."
- Owen McCabe, Executive Director, MANDC
A LOOK AHEAD
VOA National & VOACC Turn 125
VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas is proud to be a part of a national organization that was founded on the premise of going wherever needed and doing whatever comes to hand. Because of Maud and Ballington Booth, millions of Americans have received the help they need to live healthy and happy lives. On March 8th, VOA National turns 125 years old. Then in July, VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas also turns 125.

In 2020, VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas served nearly 10,000 individuals struggling with homelessness, mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, addiction, and more. Following through on our mission statement, we served these individuals by empowering self-reliance and inspiring hope. As a church without walls, we do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community.

Help us celebrate these amazing anniversaries and ensure that VOA Chesapeake & Carolinas can be a beacon of hope in your community for another 125 years by making a gift today.
When Maud and her husband Ballington founded Volunteers of America in 1896, they envisioned a movement that would reach and uplift all people. A pioneer in women's rights, nonprofit leadership, and prison reform, Maud serves as an example and reminder of the positive influence one individual can have on millions of others.

In honor of Maud's dedication and commitment to serving those most in need, we invite you to join the Maud Squad, our brand-new monthly giving program. As a member of the Maud Squad, you will ensure that Maud’s work continues today and for another 125+ years through those who carry it.

In addition to changing lives all year long through your commitment, you will get a special bi-annually e-newsletter highlighting our women leaders, consumers, and programs through the lens of Maud’s life. To learn more and join the Maud Squad, click the button below.
UPCOMING FEBRUARY EVENTS
Join us on February 16th at 1PM for a virtual tour of our VOA Hope Center, an integrated mental health center and primary care center for adults, youth and veterans struggling with severe mental illness, substance use disorders or co-occuring conditions in Maryland.
Join us on Tuesday the 16th at 2PM for a virtual tour of our Maple Court Apartments in Durham, NC. Learn how we support military veterans who are homeless with supportive services and temporary housing. Working in collaboration with the Veteran Affairs Grant and per Diem Program, this 24-apartment facility exposes veterans to opportunities of income stability as well as health and housing.
Join us on February 17th at 12PM for a virtual tour of our Residential
Re-entry Center program, a community re-entry center that helps federal returning citizens effectively transition back into society.
Join us on February 24th at 12PM for a virtual tour of Paca House, a 92-unit facility and program helping low-income and homeless adults make positive life changes through permanent housing and supportive services.
SAVE THE DATE

Our next Healing Conversation on February 25th will explore the topic of "The Beloved Community." The term was popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an achievable goal in which people can share in the wealth of the earth. In a Beloved Community, poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it.
Thank you for reading this edition of Caring Chronicles! If you would like to provide feedback or have any questions, please contact us at communications@voaches.org.