A Call for Partnership: Strengthening Our Community Together

Despite our firm foundations, we recognize that we are far from solving the pressing issues of homelessness and housing affordability in our region. The need for continued investment and support is crucial as we strive to transition more families facing hardships into stable, hopeful futures.

I have tremendous hope for the future of Greater Richmond and for Housing Families First. Our vision is one where every family has access to safe, affordable housing and the resources they need to thrive. This vision drives us every day, reminding us why our work is so vital. We have seen firsthand the difference a stable home can make for a family, providing not just shelter, but a foundation from which to build a better life.

Our programs are designed to address the multifaceted needs of the families we serve. From emergency shelter to long-term housing solutions, from case management to financial literacy training, each program is a crucial piece of the puzzle. We are proud of the progress we have made, but we know there is so much more to be done.

This is where you come in. Your support can help sustain and expand our programs, ensuring that we can continue to meet the needs of our community. I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the specific programs we offer and the impact they have. Even if you spent just two minutes, you’d likely be surprised by what you learn.

One way you can help is by attending our sell-out event, The Art of Housing, next winter at the VMFA. This event is not only a celebration of our achievements but also a crucial fundraising opportunity. It is a chance for us to come together as a community, to reflect on the progress we have made, and to renew our commitment to the work that lies ahead. Our partnership with the VMFA, and with so many talented local artists, has led to a successful first few years, but we’re excited to bring you an event to truly remember in 2025.

In the more immediate term, I encourage you to consider becoming a monthly donor. Regular contributions, no matter the size, provide a reliable stream of support that allows us to plan effectively and ensure that our programs continue to operate smoothly. In the past year, we had moments when we weren’t sure we would get the funding needed to continue all of our programming. While disruptions caused by a lack of funding can be recovered from when we find the resources our families need, they deserve sustained access to the services we provide so they can find their own firm footing. 

It may seem like a small change in how you give, but modest monthly donations provide us with the stability we need to be there for families when they need us most.

Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of families in our community. The challenges we face are significant, but with your support, I am confident that we can overcome them. Let us continue to work together to create a future where every family in Greater Richmond has a place to call home.

Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to your partnership in the year ahead.

With gratitude and hope,

Will Melton, Board Chair 2024-2025

We did it!

Thanks to you, we’ve reached our Opening Doors For Families capital campaign goal of $4.4 million!

We are excited to share that we have completed our goal of raising $4.4 million for our Opening Doors for Families capital campaign!

We originally set a goal of raising $4,400,000 by the end of 2022, and we did it with four months to spare. We could not have done it without our incredible community of supporters. Many generous foundations, congregations, businesses, and individuals helped us make this a reality. From all of us at Housing Families First, thank you!

Thanks to your generous donations, we will now be able to provide:

• An opportunity for 300 additional people to move into housing each year
• 10 additional shelter beds in private room settings
• Emergency shelter services for 50 more children and parents each year
• One additional fully handicapped-accessible shelter bedroom and bathroom
• Improved family-friendly communal areas and improved activity areas for children
• Additional space for volunteer activities and community resources
• More parking spaces for clients, staff, and volunteers

Though we have reached our fundraising goal and the construction project is nearing completion, there’s still a lot of work to do, furniture to acquire, and volunteers to coordinate before our vision is truly a reality — and we’re looking forward to all of it! Find out how you can get involved!

Homelessness is a community issue and it takes the community’s support to create actionable solutions that work. In the case of the Opening Doors for Families capital campaign, YOU were the solution and we are eternally grateful.

Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house celebration of our new-and-improved facility!

In November of 2020, when Beth Vann-Turnbull asked Becky McNeer and me to co-chair the Opening Doors for Families campaign, I hadn’t fully realized that we weren’t starting a capital fundraise, rather we were beginning to wrap one up. For the world, we kicked off our campaign on October 20, but we’ve been raising toward our $4.4 million goal for over 3 years now. For the next several months, we’ll be celebrating how far we’ve come, we’ll be marching toward our ultimate fundraising goal, and we’ll be constructing our expansion. We will also be extending invitations to those in the community who don’t know us to become a part of our family and help us fight to end homelessness.

We’re asking individuals and families to help us get over the finish line by raising $250,000 before the end of our campaign, just a fraction of the total needed for our expansion. Since so much time and effort goes into planning and launching a big capital raise, we wanted to invite you behind the scenes so you can get a look at the work that goes into it and the people who are making it happen.

Through this series, I’ll share a unique perspective that I hope widens your understanding of the sweeping effort required to pull this off and connects you closer to our mission.

Finding Permanent Solutions for Families in Need

I joined the board at Housing Families First in March of 2020 after connecting with Beth through our Leadership Metro Richmond Quest Class of 2020. Through past board service, I’ve worked to both collect food for and feed people who are experiencing homelessness. Through my observations in that work, I’ve always been discouraged by the nature of the solutions available to actually remedy homelessness.

When I learned about the rapid rehousing model that Housing Families First leads with, I saw a solution that made sense. Providing shelter, addressing needs surrounding sustainability, providing a robust support system, and extending much-needed guidance all provide for a successful model for moving homeless families into permanent, stable housing.

Since joining the board, I’ve had the great honor to call on supporters and thank them for their contributions. In every single one of those conversations, donors express their unwavering support for Housing Families First and often tell of an urgent need to give because of a feeling of helplessness during a sustained crisis. For the same reasons, I have also felt an overwhelming urge to give. It is that common refrain that gives me the confidence that we’ll cross the finish line and usher more families into safe and stable homes.

It Takes a Village, Not Just Today

Housing Families First embarked on creating its most ambitious long-range philanthropy plan in January of 2020. One of the key principles of our philanthropic charter is that we value gifts of time, talent, and treasure — because it takes more than just dollars to run this operation. As we began discussing our goals for the Opening Doors for Families campaign, we didn’t want to just focus on a monetary goal, we wanted to grow the size of our family.

In addition to monitoring progress toward our fundraising goal, we’re also tracking a number of non-revenue metrics like social media followers, email subscriber growth, donor retention and other key data points that will help us to fund our expanded operation once construction is complete. For instance, one big initiative that we’re championing for the duration of the campaign is A Donor a Day with a goal to add one new donor to our rolls for every day of the campaign. It’s all about power in numbers, and inviting our neighbors to become a part of our family.

In order to grow our family in an authentic way, we must be ready to give each and every contributor a personal experience with Housing Families First that connects them to our cause. As a part of this campaign, we’ll be introducing a host of recognition events and initiatives and we’ll communicate with donors, volunteers and community partners in a more personalized way. We’re already identifying and will continue to think up new creative ways for supporters to connect with us and with one another.

We’re Celebrating & We Invite You to Join Us

Having raised $4,136,825 as of posting this, we’re already in celebration mode. We’re planning some exciting fundraisers, donor appreciation events, public art installations, new community partnerships, a new flashy peer-to-peer fundraising platform full of contests and awards, and so much more. Our brainstorming sessions are so full of ideas that we’re playing rock-paper-scissors in board meetings to decide which we can fit into the schedule. (Not really, but there is really so much creativity coming out of our planning sessions.)

Over the coming months, I’ll take a pause from time to time to acknowledge those who are working behind the scenes and share more details about what goes into making all of this happen. I hope you’ll read along as I document this pursuit and I invite you to celebrate with us along the way.

Right now, at this moment, you can take three small steps toward showing your support in a very BIG way and it will only take 3 minutes.

1. Sign up for our email newsletter and never miss an opportunity to participate in our events and celebrations.

2. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and engage with our posts when you see them. Every like, comment, or share gives us just a little more exposure to the community.

3. Commit to making a monthly recurring gift. Even if you just divide your annual gift by 12 (and add a dollar or two) it helps us grow our individual gifts and project how many families we can serve in the future. It will also serve as a regular reminder to you of your important contribution and valued connection to Housing Families First.

Of course, there is always more you can do, such as organizing a Peer-To-Peer campaign or volunteering for one of our events. If you have any questions about ways you can contribute or partner with us, please reach out. Our doors are always open.

It’s that time of year again, and we are once again getting ready for the start of an unprecedented school year here at Housing Families First.

Things are looking a little different in 2021. Schools are offering in-person classes. Our families are getting ready to send their kids back to school and you can feel the familiar back-to-school excitement in the air. Ashley Stupak, HFF Family Housing Case Manager, touches on the back-to-school vibe in the shelter: “The younger kids are so excited and have been stuffing their backpacks as full as they can get.” Excitement is not the only emotion we’re seeing in the shelter, however. Ashley goes on to say: “The parents I have spoken to are excited but nervous. A few parents have expressed COVID-19 exposure concerns about kids returning to school.” Her work right now is focused. “This week,” Ashley said, “meetings are focusing on making sure all school-aged kids are enrolled in school and making sure everyone has all the school supplies they need.” Our staff is working hard to ensure that the kids will be ready in two weeks when they walk back into the classroom and that their families will be as protected as possible. 

• 

• 

Earlier this month, the Virginia Department of Health came to HFF to conduct a COVID vaccination clinic for the families in shelter and any staff who had not already received the vaccination. We combined this with our school supply drive when the kids at Hilliard House could walk through and pick out their own school supplies. This event was hugely successful, with lots of families becoming safely vaccinated and kids smiling and cheerful with their new school supplies. We cannot express how happy and reenergized this made us, just when we needed it most.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The theme of the day is hope. There is a lot still to work through. We’re still looking COVID in the eye and it is still staring straight back at us. Kids 12 and under are still unable to be vaccinated. The Delta variant is posing a problem, especially for unvaccinated individuals. But, through it all, our kids are excited about going back to school. They are packing their backpacks with school supplies and getting ready to meet their teachers and classmates. Things are looking up, and for that, we’re grateful.

Good luck to all the kids out there getting ready to go back to school – some after being out of the classroom for a year and a half. We are excited for you and we have all the confidence in the world that you will do great things!

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has been in the spotlight recently as Kamala Harris — the first woman, the first Black woman, the first South Asian woman, and the first member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority –was elected Vice President of the United States in November. “Her story is our story,” her sorority sisters are quoted as saying. We would like to share the back story of AKA Sorority with you, because we are so very grateful for their partnership with Housing Families First, and because we are so very proud of all they do for our community.

Notable Sisters: Kamala Harris, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Maya Angelou

The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha is to be of Service to All Mankind by addressing the critical issues that impact the lives of African Americans. Did you know that AKA Sorority is a member of the Divine Nine, a group of nine African American sororities and fraternities with a rich tradition of academic excellence and social progress? African American Greek life offers great opportunities to provide community outreach, gain leadership training and build lasting friendships. Kamala Harris is only one of many notable people who call themselves an Alpha Kappa Alpha sister. Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and Maya Angelou were members of this venerable sorority, as well!

“Get Your Boots On!”

The Omega Rho Omega chapter of AKA, started in 2017, is a relatively new chapter and serves Eastern Henrico, New Kent, and Charles City counties. Vice President and Program Chair Sherry Bassfield Tyler and Operation AKA Assist Co-Chair TMarie Hopkins were both elected to their positions in November of 2020, though they have a long history together; they’ve been sorority sisters since they were undergrads together at Hampton University in the late ’80s!

Sherry enjoys the grass roots level of getting out into the community and helping. She embraces the motto: “Service to All Mankind,” and she told us that their “get your boots on” philosophy of getting into the trenches and getting involved in the community is what it’s all about. This is exactly what ORO does. They get their boots on and jump right in.

Each chapter of AKA embraces five targets:

#1: Building Your Economic Legacy (Operation AKA Assist Program)

The Operation AKA Assist Program, part of “Building Economic Legacy,” is the program that works with Housing Families First and our families experiencing homelessness.  On Martin Luther King Community Impact Day (Jan 18), Operation AKA Assist provided Housing Families First with 250 bags decorated with encouraging words and filled with snacks and drinks for our families entering shelter. These snack bags make a world of difference to families in crisis, and can provide a caring touch in a moment of stress for our clients.

In addition to the snack bags brought to HFF, ORO also sent 1000 canned goods to the Boxes of Blessings Program, and wrote 270 thank you cards to businesses to thank them for being there during the pandemic.

The Operation AKA Assist project’s direction has since sharpened in focused and will concentrate on the relationship it has with Housing Families First, with a goal of strengthening the partnership to raise awareness about homelessness.  We are looking forward to seeing them again soon for our Evening Supper Program, when they will provide dinner for our clients in shelter.

This warm and caring group of women is the epitome of generosity in all its forms. One of our littlest shelter residents told TMarie, co-chair of Operation AKA Assist, that the ladies dropping off the snack bags were her “snack bag angels.” We agree. They are our angels, too!

---

Though this target is the one that directly impacts HFF, the other four are equally important and deserve recognition, as well:

#2: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action

ORO shared with its members and with us the powerful story of the rise, influence, and evolution of America’s HBCUs in the documentary: Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities.

---

#3: The Arts!

The ORO chapter will hold a virtual paint party in April! A local artist will be invited to instruct middle and high school students and chapter members on the Harlem Renaissance, which played a pivotal role in the development of African American art and culture. A fantastic time should be had by all, and supplies will be provided by the chapter.

---

#4: Women’s Impact and Wellness

Studies show that African Americans are 20% more likely to die of heart disease than non-Hispanic white Americans. The ORO chapter held a “Pink Goes Red” event for cardiovascular and heart disease in February, with the goal of raising awareness and encouraging education about heart disease in the African American community.

---

#5: Global Impact

Chapters worldwide are planning community service projects that will have a global impact, and ORO has several projects in the works already! Here are just a few:

* This week marks the beginning of a social media campaign on the importance of mask wearing and social distancing, including the newest information from the CDC. ORO recognizes the need for this messaging to come from trusted sources and wants to be sure that they do their part in the sharing of this information.

* ORO’s “Soles 4 Souls” campaign will collect hundreds of pairs of shoes for people in need. We will be delighted to share the donation information once it becomes available!

* June 20^th is World Refugee Day, which ORO will celebrate with a virtual discussion panel of two refugees of African descent, partnering with organizations that provide assistance to refugees.

More great projects are on the way, and ORO will continue to create a positive change in their community each and every day!

“A group of women who reign supreme in sisterhood, scholarship, and service to all mankind.”

Sherry, TMarie, and all the women of ORO live their lives in the service of others. They strive to put their community first every day. The five tenants, or “targets,” listed above are designed to advance the mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha with excellence and underscore their commitment to sustainable service.

The women of ORO address the critical issues that impact the lives of African Americans in their community and do so with a selfless enthusiasm that is truly beautiful. We are grateful for their dedication to those around them, in particular the families at Housing Families First.

Housing Families First is proud to announce the appointment of seven new members to its board of directors, as well as the full slate of officers and board members for 2020-2021.

Joining the board of directors are Cinnamon Baker, Jovan Burton, Harvey Chambers, Lauren Leggett, Patricia Perry, Altise Street, and Tim Timmons.

“As Housing Families First seeks to move forward into the future, we have onboarded seven new board members. Each board member brings not only a skill set, but an ability to fully embrace the mission and vision of Housing Families First. I am honored to work alongside a great group of board members who assist to ensure the legacies of families are implemented through housing,” says Board President Kelly Evans.

Cinnamon Baker serves as Williams Mullen’s Director of Talent Management. Baker has more than a decade of experience in recruiting, mentoring, and client service, having worked at law schools’ career service departments dedicated to building relationships with students, alumni, and employers. Prior to joining Williams Mullen, Baker worked at the William & Mary Law School, where she served as assistant dean for employer relations. Baker earned her Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) from the Human Resources Certification Institute in June 2012. She also graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2004 and received her B.F.A. from Florida State University in 1994. She is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Jovan D. Burton, Director of Implementation at Partnership for Housing Affordability, joins the board of directors as outgoing president of the Housing Families First Junior Board. Prior to his current position, Burton served as a tax credit allocation coordinator with Virginia Housing (formerly Virginia Housing Development Authority). Burton received his Bachelor of Arts in foreign affairs from Hamden-Sydney College in 2017, and he is currently enrolled in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU completing coursework towards a Master of Public Administration degree. Burton also currently serves on Mayor Levar Stoney’s Eviction Task Force Policy Subgroup and the Longevity Task Force for the Longevity Project for a Greater Richmond.

Harvey Chambers is a Community Relations Consultant with Anthem, Inc. Virginia Medicaid Sales & Marketing. In 1982, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University. Chambers holds the designation of Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), has earned a certificate as a Lay Health Promoter (LHP), and is a licensed Health, Life, and Annuity, and Property and Casualty agent by the Commonwealth of Virginia Bureau of Insurance. On July 1, 2020, Chambers was appointed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Senate Rules Committee to serve with the Commonwealth Council on Aging. He also serves as a board member for Virginia Ability, Vice President of Mountain Road Townes Homes Owners Association, and as a member of Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging (SC/CAAA) Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Area Planning and Services Committee (APSC) on Aging with Lifelong Disabilities in Greater Richmond, Central Virginia Task Force on Domestic Violence in Later Life, and the Virginia Caregiver Coalition.

Lauren Leggett, Analyst at CarMax, joins the board as an outgoing member of the Housing Families First Junior Board. Leggett received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in communication and technology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2002. Leggett is a member of the Junior League of Richmond and also serves as a board member of Ten Thousand Villages, a Project Leader & Volunteer with HandsOn/Doorways, and an advocate and volunteer with Safe Harbor.

Patricia Perry serves as Assistant Vice President for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Perry received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Hampton University, a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, and she attended the Graduate Banking School at the University of Colorado. Perry also serves as the president of the Richmond Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association and a trustee of Westwood Baptist Church.

Altise Street is the Richmond/Southside Outreach Manager for 2-1-1 Virginia, where she works to improve community knowledge, establish and increase utilization of the service, and serves as a liaison with community stakeholders. Street studied business at Virginia Commonwealth University and obtained her Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. 

Tim Timmons joins the Housing Families First Board of Directors as the Enrollment Coordinator at Cristo Rey. Timmons is a graduate of Richmond Community High School and Howard University in Washington, DC, and he is a current graduate student in urban curriculum and education at Virginia Union University. Along with his role at Cristo Rey, Timmons is the youth minister and social justice co-chair at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, located in Richmond’s historic Highland Park Neighborhood.

These new directors join the following slate of current Officers and Directors: Kelly Evans, president; Emily Jasper, vice president; Kathy Burke, secretary; Wayne Lee, treasurer; Sarah Brockwell, immediate past president; Sara Blose; Timothy Borchert; J. Benjamin English; Monica Lucas; Becky McNeer; Will Melton; Elizabeth Nice; Tameka Webb, and Mary Beth Yates.