Volunteering at New Hope Housing has been incredibly rewarding. I help residents create a resume, apply for jobs, and practice interviewing techniques. The staff is friendly, and residents always appreciate the assistance. New Hope Housing provides effective programs and services that are crucial to helping adults and families achieve independence and self-sufficiency. I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer here and be a small part of this important and wonderful organization.
I see the sustained, great work of New Hope Housing, year in and year out. I see them working with clients ranging from single parent families, clients dealing with substance abuse and serving our growing homeless Veteran population--making a difference, and changing lives for the better. I see them in the community working hard to raise awareness of the real reasons behind homelessness. I see them in the media, educating the public on how they can help. The professionals and volunteers that make up the extended New Hope workforce are exemplary, their campaigns to end homelessness are award winning, and they are deserving to be named one of the USA's Great Nonprofits!
Few things in this world are as frightening as having nowhere to call home. When you run out of family, friends and couches and no money for a room, you feel absolutely alone in this world. It is a devastating state of mind. New Hope Housing allows those who find themselves in this situation a way out. They walk through the doors scared, apprehensive, not sure what tomorrow will bring. They find themselves surrounded by people who care for them, who will help them get on the path to sustainable housing. At New Hope they evaluate where they want to be in life. They make the plans and commitments needed to arrive at their desired destination. With the help of a dedicated staff they are able to leave the shelter with an affordable housing arrangement and a new outlook. Peace of mind is New Hopes greatest service for those who were once afraid of what tomorrow would bring.
As a relatively new board member, I am striving to learn all I can concerning the mission of New Hope Housing. However, I can state that the things that I have aleady been involved in reinforces my opinion that this organization serves its community with a dedicated spirit representing the true belief that their mission is to "serve all who need even those who are are non acccepted by others." Their goal of trying to move people from being homeless to being independtly able to have a place to live as well as have a job is never ending. The staff, from the Executive Director to the counseling staff have dedicated themselves to help in this process. I am proud to be a board member of this organization and will strive as long as I am on the board to do all I can as a volunteer to assist New Hope Housing fullfill its goals.
I first encountered New Hope Housing Inc. over a year and a half ago. As a Fairfax County professional in the human services field I found out quickly the great supportive service New Hope Housing provides. I have relied on the Kennedy Shelter to help place numerous clients into safe and secure transitional and permanent housing. The staff within the New Hope Housing sector have a professional and service oriented demeanor. New Hope Housing Inc. is a viable entity and a pillar of hope in the human service community. Oliver Reid
Senior Case Manager VASAVOR Program
OAR of Fairfax County, Inc.
Two years ago I was a single mother with two children who lived a life of instability and uncertainty; until I was given refuge by NHH. I was treated with respect and dignity. The educational programs like Out of Proverty allowed me to reflect on where I was and the many opportunities that were available in the future. My children did not live in shame because of the wonderful services that were provided they thought they were in Summer Camp! My kids were given so much love. While NHH helped me get myself together they made sure my children were stress free. I struggled on my own, but while in the care of NHH I gained peace, a sense of community, and I was no longer in a state of hopelessness about my situation. The staff built me up and gave me valuable resources and support that I carry with me to this day. I am proud to say that when I left those doors I walked away from homelessness for good and have been stable and holding up on my own two feet ever since. I will NEVER forget all of the things this amazing organization has done for me.
As Outreach Chairman for my faith community, we have worked with New Hope Housing on many occasions. New Hope operates efficiently to promote housing options for those in need in our community. Their efforts are significant to move individuals and families from homelessness to home, through shelters, transitional housing, emergency assistance. NHH conducts training for their clients in job and family skills to make the transition possible. The staff works with community volunteers to provide reading support and tutoring for school age children, and life skills mentoring for adults on a one on one basis. They provide a respectful environment for their clients. They are challenged to meet the growing needs in northern Virginia but do so with grace and kindness.
Even though I'm 11, I was a volunteer with my mom and dad at a fundraiser for New Hope Housing. It's great to have fun and help others. Everyone should help New Hope Housing cause they do really good things for people.
As a Girl Scout Leader, we have volunteered with New Hope Housing at their Mondlach family shelter. I think they do fantastic work in assisting families during the tough economic times. As a parent, I like to see organizations teaching parents how to build a strong family.
I came out of prison after almost 20 years. When my parole plan changed, I found myself homeless. But I found a refuge in New Hope Housing's Kennedy Shelter. They provided for my basic needs, while encouraging me to do what it took to stay out -- which I have for over 2 1/2 years. While certainly true that I had to make the mental and moral adjustments necessary to stay out, without the practical, tangible help of New Hope Housing, I believe my obstacles would have been insurmountable. I currently thrive as a law-abiding member of society, having attained a management position in a national retail store. I cannot overstate the importance of New Hope Housing in this achievement.
What I love most about New Hope Housing is that, unlike many other service agencies, New Hope never gives up on a person. They just don't allow the bridges to burn. People can always come back and try again. There are rules, of course, and suspensions occur. But in the end, the person is welcomed back to try again--nonetheless. You just don't find that out there in the world very much. It's all about forgiveness and mercy.
Our immediate and extended family has volunteered with New Hope Housing for many years. We have a long connection, because my husband's father was instrumental in starting the first shelter that eventually became Mondloch House and the cornerstone of the additional services/housing provided by New Hope Housing. We get tremendous satisfaction from our involvement, whether it be helping at one of the houses and working directly with staff and residents, or making our annual holiday family donation. I can say first-hand, having worked at a number of activities with New Hope staff and volunteers, that it is an outstanding organization! Compassionate and caring, they truly believe in their mission and exemplify the meaning of giving.
I have witnessed the extreme care they take with their clients in offering immediate help by providing immediate needs and also intake information and resources to be contacted. Supporting VICHOP a Hypothermia Shelter on the Route One Corridor from Dec through March encouraging Community and Church groups to support the effort nightly with food and chaperones.
I volunteered with New Hope Housing a couple of days a week after work as both an adult GED tutor and as a childcare helper during night classes. I think the New Hope program is great for helping families break the cycle of poverty and begin living in their own homes. Working with the children was especially rewarding.
I have worked in collaboration with New Hope Housing for several years and the impact that they have on teh homeless community is invaluable. Their efforts to help reform homeless services have been innovative and encouraging, and their willingness to explore new perspectives and ideas will help us to all improve the way we serve the homeless population. There is so much need in the Southern area of Fairfax County, and this agency goes to endless lengths to meet these needs through a variety of servcies and programs.
I've worked with New Hope Housing for over eight years, and I'm so impressed with how they are continually looking for ways to improve the services they deliver to homeless people in our community.
A great organization that is "rethinking homelessness" and how those stakeholders can make a difference.
As a part of my service learning requirement for a class at GMU, I have been able to work with New Hope Housing to learn about the management of nonprofit organizations. Being part of this wonderful group of people has taught me how to effectively reach out different publics by using different type of medium. At the same time, I was able to learn a variety of things ranging from volunteer management, media exposure and much more. One of the things that stood out the most durig my time in this nonprofit was the collaboration between all the members that form New Hope Housing. Overall, New Hope Housing has taught me a great variety of skills that will help me once i enter the professional world of the nonprofit sector.
I volunteer for one of their many emergency winter shelters. New Hope Housing is a wonderful organization offering shelter, food, and hope to the homeless population in Northern Virginia.
