It’s the end of the summer so it’s par for the course that we’re all thinking about upcoming events this fall. Usually our thoughts run to commonplace activities such as preparing the kids for school and going back to work after that last memorable vacation.
Sometimes we also think ahead about major events. Only 122 days until Christmas!
It is certainly less common at this time of year to think about passing diversions unless, of course, we are lamenting the exciting plans we made in May that, come late August, have still not been fulfilled. Admit it – you’re guilty of denying yourself at least one chance for some carefree fun, aren’t you? Here’s your chance to take a mulligan.
On Wednesday, October 6th, we will host our annual golf outing at The Osprey’s Golf Club at Belmont Bay in Woodbridge. The afternoon is sure to be a memorable one: Eighteen holes of all-out fun, followed by dinner and silent and live auctions. You can tap your inner Arnold Palmer/Annika Sorenstam; potentially play your way to a new car (giving extra meaning to the term “driver”) and, all the while, support what we do best — helping forestall homelessness in the local community.
We can think of no better way to do so than on the fairway and we hope you’ll swing on over.

On my way home from work last night I stopped by Brenda’s house.  She lives in my old neighborhood and I met her through a friend.  For several years now Brenda has purchased school supplies for the kids in our programs.

This whole routine of speaking briefly with donors and volunteers felt very familiar until I was turning to leave.

“Thanks for giving me an outlet to help,” she said.

In response I thanked her for the continued support and that we’d get the backpacks to kids in need.  But as I walked to the car with two loaded backpacks on each shoulder I was struck by her expression of thanks to me.  She feels a need to help and appreciates the opportunity to act on that need.

I wonder how many people in this world are just waiting for someone to ask them to help or get involved?

At Good Shepherd Housing, we seek to build partnerships with other providers. Last September, we teamed up with HomeAID Northern Virginia— a nonprofit organization supported by the local homebuilding community and dedicated to renovating homeless shelters and homes—to replace the roofs at two of our townhouse units. With HomeAID’s help we were able to improve the housing for two families of limited means and to keep these families housed in safe and secure homes.

Recently, HomeAID Northern Virginia helped out six of our client families. HomeAID NV did so by utilizing its partnership with 1800 Mattress.com to provide these families with free beds. While these families finally have a roof over their heads, they still often lack the components necessary to make a “house” into a “home.” For some, because of their low to moderate incomes, they are thankful for their housing and cannot afford the other things, such as beds, bedding, kitchen utensils and furniture.

By providing free beds to several of our clients, both HomeAID Northern Virginia and 1800 Mattress.com truly understood the needs of our families when they move into our stable housing. They stepped in to help families move up from air mattresses, couch pillows and sleeping bags—the substitutes for real beds that too many of our client families have to make do with.

Here are the stories of two families helped by the free beds from 1800 Mattress.com:

In August 2008, our resident, a mother of three, had to flee an abusive husband with her children. Relocating to Northern Virginia, the resident had only what she could pack into her car. After moving into our housing, our resident still had nothing to replace what she and her family had left behind (a house with five bedrooms of furnishings and clothing). This resident was forever grateful to 1800Mattress.com for “blessing them” with beds. As she repeated to us, the beds gave her a chance to get on her feet and to regain the “normalcy” in their lives once again.

Another resident, a mother of three, was a successful entrepreneur managing her own import/export business in Africa before coming to the United States. Despite holding a college degree from a prestigious University, our resident could only obtain work as a certified nursing assistant at minimum wage rates. Having moved into a townhouse provided through Good Shepherd Housing, the resident was very grateful for the new start and the ability to reunite her family. Donations of used furniture from yard sales and coworkers allowed our resident to fill their empty apartment. But, as she said, it was the new mattresses from 1800Mattress.com through HomeAID Northern Virginia that comfortably made their house into a home.

NEW Housing Locator Program Assistant

Working at a new place can be stressful and sometimes even scary! From my very first day, the team at Good Shepherd has been helpful, friendly, encouraging, and down-right uplifting. I find it a breath of fresh air when inspiration, hope and support are at the core of a company’s mission. After only one week of employment with Good Shepherd’s Housing Location program, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed to say the least! I enjoy coming into an atmosphere filled with not only compassion and knowledge, but seamless team collaboration. Right now I am soaking in all of the wisdom and resources around me, hoping to pass on any help that I can give in support of Fairfax County’s 10 year plan to end homelessness. Not only am I excited about what Good Shepherd does for the community already, I am truly looking forward to assisting the Housing Locator Program in its growth and development process. Accompanied by a great deal of effort, time, and positive thinking…Good Shepherd has sought out to accomplish more than their original mission to help “one” family. I applaud their cause and plan to work as a member of this phenomenal team in OUR pursuit of overall community improvement!!!

by Daphne Steinberg

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about replacing my aging car. Knowing that I’m in the market for a replacement, the question I keep asking myself is where should I go?
Recently, while conducting research for a fundraiser, I checked out the Lindsay Automotive Group. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that if you buy any vehicle – new or used – at a Lindsay dealership they will donate $100 to the charity of your choice.
I’m a big proponent of getting what I need and, when possible, doing something good for others at the same time. That’s why I shop for clothes at Goodwill. I never imagined though that I could simultaneously buy a car and make a charitable contribution.
When I mentioned their charitable giving program around the office, I was informed that Lindsay Automotive Group has been a solid supporter of Good Shepherd Housing for several years. I guess you could say then that Lindsay Automotive Group doesn’t just sell cars, they sell vehicles for change.
I’m pleased to say that I know where the search for my next car is going to start.

I am so pleased to announce that Talking Tree Creative won the Blue Diamond Award from the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. Talking Tree was generous enough to donate over $25,000 of taping and editing services for our new GSH video. Congrats to them for a well deserved honor!

Happy Memorial Day holiday weekend!

It is with both pride and sadness when I say that Sarah Bridger, our Housing Locator Program Assistant, has accepted an job offer at ICF International’s Housing and Community Development Group. Her last day here at Good Shepherd Housing will be Friday, June 11.

I am very grateful to have had Sarah’s in getting the Housing Locator Program up and running. From the creation of our website, to the development of our new reports and statistics, and to the overall program planning… her work has been invaluable. ICF is a well regarded consulting and technology group. In fact, they created the HUDHRE.info website that includes the excellent Housing Search Assistance Toolkit. I am sure Sarah’s education and experience will be a great asset.

While we will certainly miss Sarah we are already on the lookout for another bright professional to join the team. Please share this link about the job opportunity with your friends, families and professional network – http://bit.ly/cVSYI4 .

Thanks!

by Alison Utermohlen

As the chair of Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services’ (GSH) new “Ten in 2010” initiative, I would like to extend a hearty and sincere “THANK YOU!” to all participants who have so generously donated an amount to GSH this year that is 10% more than the amount they donated in 2009. The initiative was undertaken early this year to help GSH meet the growing demand for its services as indicated by the record number of families (more than 775) that received GSH’s assistance in 2009, a number that is likely to increase this year due to persistent high unemployment. Therefore, if you have been considering donating to GSH but have not done so this year or even if you have donated but did so without knowledge of this new initiative, please consider donating just 10% extra to help meet this growing demand. While 10% is a fairly modest percentage increase, when applied across total 2009 donations, the potential additional sum to be received would be very significant to GSH’s ability to serve needy families. Consequently, to all current participants: please know that your additional 10% donation is helping GSH serve more distressed and deserving families in our community; and to all potential participants: I look forward to welcoming you to GSH’s “Ten in 2010” team!