President's Message

Hello donors, partners, colleagues and friends,

This past year, thousands of families in our region were searching for something to eat or a place to lay their heads. Thousands of returning veterans, children, men and women searching for a place, a person, an organization to help them get back on track, to give them a hand, to show them the path to success.

Here at Volunteers of America Chesapeake we were that organization for more than 6,000 of those men, women, children and veterans in need.

Some may ask, well how did you do it? How did one organization change the lives of so many people in need in just 365 days? We did it by working step by step in conjunction with state and local governments, partners, donors, volunteers and friends just like you. We did it by providing housing first, and wrap-around services designed to address factors that prevent individuals and families from maintaining stable housing.

Our work has led to more than 3,500 individuals and families starting their journey to permanent housing with us through emergency shelter, drop-in services and homelessness prevention efforts throughout our region.

We’ve provided permanent, affordable housing to more than 500 formerly homeless families and prevented more than 300 of our nation’s bravest heroes from ever becoming homeless through our Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF) program.

Scripture tells us through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God (Philippians 4:6) and that couldn’t be more true of Volunteers of America Chesapeake. We continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and pray for those who we have not yet had the opportunity to touch. We are growing our affordable housing offerings as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in Arlington County and opening community housing stabilization programs throughout Howard and Prince George’s Counties. We’re increasing our capacity to care in Baltimore offering more Veterans Services programs and making our service offerings more diverse to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the support of our donors and partners. We’ve issued the Call to Care throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia and our donors answered with a resounding spirit of giving. Private individuals like Robert Scheer, Joe & Nancy Gofus and Jenna Howard have not only made donations but championed our efforts to their networks, increasing our donor base and enabling us to expand our services.

There is still much work to be done in our region. Homelessness and the lack of affordable housing continue to prevent individuals and families from achieving success but we are confident that with your help we can end homelessness.

Thank you. Thank you for all that you did to help us improve the lives of others. Thank you for placing your faith and trust in us to get the job done. Thank you for continuing to reach and uplift the lives of those living on the margins of society and Thank you for your continued support of Volunteers of America Chesapeake.

Sincerely,

Russell K. Snyder
President/CEO