The annual Thank-a-Thon went off without a hitch! Thank you so much to everyone who hand-delivered Valentine's treats and made personal calls to our caring donors. You all are AWESOME! 

We would also like to take the time to thank YOU! We wouldn't be doing this critical work without each and every one of you. All of our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our amazing VOA team for walking alongside our clients as they create their own individual pathways toward stability and peace.  

These were the lives that you changed in 2024 thanks to your heart:

YAS (Young Adult Shelter)- Served a total of 175 young adults and 113 exited into stable housing, for a total of 64%!

Hope House Women's Shelter- Served a total of 519 individuals, provided 45,331 meals, housed 84 and prevented 17 from losing housing. With an average of 2% low-income housing availability, that is amazing!

Crosswalk Youth Shelter- Served a total of 604 youth, provided 11,316 meals, housed 187 and returned 380 to the safety of family members. If you just did the math, that's 94%! 

That’s more than numbers- it’s real people finding safety, hope, and a fresh start, thanks to YOU! 🏠

Sarah has recently transitioned into a crucial role within Crosswalk as our full-time Monday through Friday day floor staff member, stepping up to fill a significant gap left by a recent loss on our team. She has handled this transition seamlessly and has become, in many ways, the face of Crosswalk for most of our youth.

Sarah is often the first staff member that our clients approach, and she has managed her responsibilities with grace and professionalism. Her unwavering dedication to supporting our clients through their various challenges is truly commendable and deserves recognition. Her contributions significantly impact both our team and the youth we serve.

*Stop by and see Ali or Joelle for your gift card!

*Please note that we have two employees already lined up for the next couple of months, so your nomination will not be immediate at this time. Keep up the amazing work!

Click to view the nomination procedure here

Meet Morningstar, a former Hope House client who moved into her new home last fall and is still thriving today. She wanted us to share her journey to inspire others, proving that hope, resilience, and learning to accept support can change lives.

Watch this short clip from her story and remember, because of your compassion and generosity, new beginnings are possible for those who need them most.  We can't wait to turn the page to what's next in Morningstar's story. She is truly an inspiration to us! 🌟

Keep an eye out for her full story on the Hope House page of the VOA website soon! Just another example of the incredible work we get to do every day, and what can be achieved when our clients are ready to move forward with you by their side. 

Caregiving extends beyond the walls of our shelters and services. It’s our case managers helping youth find stability, advocates guiding survivors of domestic violence to safety, mental health specialists providing emotional support- the list of ways you help support our clients is truly endless! 

You are caring for the most vulnerable in our community. You are part of the solution, offering hope and healing to those in crisis.

So, on February 21st, National Caregivers Day, we celebrate you! Thank you for being the heart behind everything we do. Together, we can continue to care for our neighbors and build a stronger, more compassionate community. 

We want to hear from you! If you've got something amazing happening, send it my way along with any photos. I'll make sure it gets the spotlight it deserves on our social media and in our newsletter. Connecting donors to the causes they're passionate about and bridging the gap between our teams is something I love doing. Let's keep the inspiration flowing!