A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear LVS Supporters and Friends,

Happy Veterans Day! This is the time of the year that we pause and honor our Veterans. For those of you who served in our armed forces, thank you. And while we reverence this day, I am especially grateful for all of you who think of our Veterans all year long.

Some of you have contributed to our Capital Campaign to fund our future home Veterans Village. Maybe your church provides meals every 3rd Saturday. Or you and your co-workers have conducted a toiletry drive to support our program. Some of you have even liked and shared our brand-new Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

Regardless of your scope of support, you clearly care for our Veterans deeply and your support is felt every single day - especially on Veterans Day. So, as we all take a moment to reflect on our Veterans' sacrifices, let's share a moment of gratitude for another year of being able to help those in need and continuing the fight to end Veteran homelessness. 

We invite you to view recent stories shared by some of the Veterans we serve. And thank you for your continued support.

With gratitude,

Jay Patrick, President & CEO

All the work we do is made possible by the incredible generosity of our donors, community members, employee and housing partners, and corporate supporters. Whether it's individuals and organizations serving daily meals, hosting clothing and supply drives, organizing fundraising events, providing housing, teaching financial literacy, or offering employment opportunities, we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of this vast community dedicated to uplifting our Veterans. This season of gratitude we other thanks to our many community partners, including:

Stay tuned as we continue to highlight our partners in future issues.

KEYS TO SUCCESS

U.S. ARMY 1990 - 1999

After completing the LVS program in May, U.S. Army Veteran Mr. Dingle had a proud parent-moment when he secured his apartment, sharing that this milestone meant he would once again be reunited with his teenage son.

Congratulations on all you have accomplished.

ALUMNI CORNER

U.S. AIR FORCE, 1980 - 1992

Mr. Lee served twelve years in the U.S. Air Force. He completed the LVS Program in 2022 and recently joined the LVA Alumni Group. During his stay at LVS he consistently supported is fellow Veterans and provided words of encouragement whenever needed. Today he is an LVS employee as part of our evening staff and housing monitors.

We are proud of your successes and grateful for your continued contributions to LVS.

Since 2014, Tech for Troops has been empowering under-resourced Veterans and their families by providing essential digital skills through training, education, and technology. We’re incredibly grateful for their long-standing partnership with LVS. Thanks to their support, our Veterans receive free computers and valuable technology workforce training.

Mark Casper, CEO of Tech for Troops, played a key role in our early days as one of LVS's original Board of Directors members. Today, Tech for Troops continues to support Veterans in our programs by offering classes and providing laptops. Beyond improving the daily lives of our residents, they also serve as an employment partner—opening doors to career opportunities and brighter futures for our Veterans.

“Darryl Crewe (U.S. Air Force 1987-1991, pictured right) is the true backbone of Tech For Troops, embodying the company’s mission with his tireless dedication and unmatched work ethic," said Mark Casper, President/CEO of Tech For Troops. "As the warehouse manager and Lead IT Technician, Darryl has been instrumental in wiping, imaging, and refurbishing computers that are distributed nationwide to Veterans in need. His hands-on approach extends far beyond the warehouse - Darryl, a Veteran himself, has played a key role in training other Veterans, empowering them with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today’s world. While Darryl is quick to credit Tech For Troops with helping him, it is clear that his contributions have had an immeasurable impact on the organization and the Veterans they serve. His leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence make him a true hero within the company.”

It’s November! Happy Veterans Day! I love this season of gratitude! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be here and be part of LVS.

Daily, I see our mission lived out. I see our program team working diligently to help, equip, encourage, and strengthen our Veterans. Daily, I see our Veterans – our current residents and our alumni – share their gratitude for all the support they have received. It is an honor to be here and see and experience firsthand our Veterans taking positive steps forward.

Recently, one of our Veterans stopped by my office to share his updates. He was grinning from ear to ear – he was ready to move into his new apartment, he had just earned his forklift operator’s license, and he was in final interviews for a new job. He has overcome so many hurdles and worked so hard with our team to navigate and press through. I looked at our Veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy aboard an aircraft carrier, and told him how proud I was of him. There was quite a pause, and he looked back at me, a bit teary-eyed, and said quietly, “I am proud of me, too.”

So that got me thinking and I have two requests for each of you:

1. Please send a note to one of our Veterans. Thank him for his service and offer words of encouragement. Envelopes can be addressed: LVS Veteran, 1201 Hull Street, Richmond, VA 23224
2. Please think about someone who has helped, equipped, encouraged, and strengthened you in your life’s journey and reach out to simply say thank you.

Thank you, in advance, for sending your notes, and for sharing your gratitude. On behalf of the brave Veterans we serve, thank you for making a contribution to LVS.



With heartfelt gratitude,

Lynne Berkness, Chief Advancement Officer

lberkness@lvsrva.org

GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE: 6 WAYS YOU CAN HELP

1. Provide and Serve Dinner For Our Veterans

2. Conduct Supply Drives: Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Bleach, Pine-Sol, Anti-Bacterial Wipes, Laundry & Dish Detergent, 55-Gallon Trash Bags, and Men’s Socks, T-Shirts, & Briefs (M-2XL). View our Amazon Wish List.

3. Help Spread The Word About LVS – Please Come Visit And Tour And Bring Others Who Might Be Interested In Learning About LVS.

4. Our Veterans Love To Attend Sporting Events; You Can Provide Tickets To: VCU Basketball, Flying Squirrels Games, Nascar, Richmond Kickers

5. Help Connect Us With Partners Who Might Be Interested In Hiring Our Veterans.

6. Follow Us On Facebook and LinkedIn, and Share Our Mission With Your Network

Contact Fletcher Johnson at fjohnson@lvsrva.org for more information or visit www.lvsrva.org.

Your generous gift offers more than just room and board to a homeless Veteran. It allows him the resources and support he needs to rebuild his life with renewed hope. You can make an impact: Your contributions will make a positive impact. Thank you for your gift of housing, healing, and hope.

Liberation Veteran Services | lvsrva.org | ph 804-233-4064