I’m not a big movie buff, but I do know they occasionally start with a prequel. It is a scene that precedes what the movie is really all about. Well, our next tenant Jonathon’s prequel goes something like this…

We see an enthusiastic group of eleven US Airways employees showing up at an apartment that will soon be rented by Jonathon. The US Airways "Do Crew" arrives early on a mid-March Saturday morning. A montage of shots begins to show progress painting a whole apartment in a short period of time. We see them taping off the trim, applying two good coats of paint, cleaning up edges and then exiting the apartment. As the montage ends, the camaraderie of the group is evident - - they have clearly shared a bonding experience. The camera slowly pans across a fresh and inviting apartment that looks fantastic. It is ready to be Jonathon’s home.

We thank US Airways for their continued support of our mission to reduce homelessness! Not only have they rolled up their sleeves, as described above, they have also donated time and money, including their sponsorship of our recent Annual Gala. In many ways, they are positively affecting Jonathon’s life, as well as the lives of others. Hopefully his story will be as positive as the impact of the “Do Crew”. Only time will tell.

If you are part of a group that would like to star in a tenant’s prequel, let me know. We are happy to engage as many as possible in our work and mission in the community.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH … THE TOUGH CELEBRATE!

             There is no doubt about it – these are turbulent economic times.  Every day brings new stories of people facing hardships they never could have imagined.  In this climate, the low-income working families that we serve at Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services are particularly vulnerable.  A missed rent payment can mean the difference between a safe home environment and homelessness.  And all too often, people are forced to choose between making a utility payment and putting food on the table.

             Looking at things in a positive way, tough times bring out the best in our supporters. They believe in the work that we do.  They understand the uniqueness and strength of our programs to prevent homelessness and promote basic financial literacy, knowing that they will help make families self-sufficient.  We are grateful to the many caring individuals and local businesses who continue to provide support – or who contribute even more than they have in the past – to help their neighbors in need.

             On March 14, Good Shepherd Housing will host a very special event, our “An Affair to Remember” gala.  We will gather at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Old Town Alexandria to enjoy cocktails, silent and live auctions, a delicious dinner, and dancing to the music of the Mount Vernon Swing Band.  This year the gala has special meaning as we celebrate GSH’s 35th anniversary of providing compassionate care and financial education to keep families out of homeless shelters and help them stand on their own two feet.

          In 1974, the word “homelessness” had just been coined.  In the Mt. Vernon area, residents were shocked to learn how many families faced nights in the woods or on the streets.  Under the leadership of Joe Adinaro, a group of volunteers came together to assist families in need – starting with a single family that was struggling to provide for their children while facing eviction from a run-down shack.  These volunteers pooled their resources to purchase land and, with services donated by builder Lou Genuario, Sr., built a home to accommodate GSH’s first clients.

These dedicated volunteers became the founders of Good Shepherd Housing.  They believed, as we still do, that working families should be able to rent their own homes, not be forced to sleep in motels or cars or on the street. 

Today, Good Shepherd Housing serves over 650 families each year and is recognized as a leader in innovative housing solutions.  Committed volunteers and staff have developed award-winning programs and built what is now one of Northern Virginia’s most successful housing agencies.  None of this would have been possible without that first demonstration of compassion or the sustained support of individuals and local businesses over the past 35 years. As we have grown, collaboration with Fairfax County, corporations like Capital One, and foundations such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have strengthened our capacity to assist those in need.  

We extend an invitation to the community to join us on March 14 to celebrate these accomplishments and to raise funds to continue our work.  Individuals who mention having seen this blog are welcome to purchase tickets for the “early bird” price of $150/person, rather than the current price of $175.