CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
For Immediate Release
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Gives Back to Family it
Helped out of Homelessness Who is Now Helping Others
Lanham, MD - (June 28, 2010) – In an unusual move for a non-profit organization, Russell K. Snyder, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake, announced today that the non-profit will donate $1 for each of its 600 employees to an admirable cause led by a family who turned its life around after receiving assistance from Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter and Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Transitional Housing Program in Leesburg, VA. The Williams family of Sterling, Virginia, who benefitted tremendously from Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s programs more than a decade ago, is using the $600.00 donation to help others and travel to Costa Rica this summer, rebuilding shelters for those in need.
“It is so fulfilling when we hear about the amazing successes of individuals and families who have benefitted from our programs,” Snyder said. “This family really epitomizes why our staff works so hard every day to provide essential services through our 26 facilities across the region.
“Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s mission is to create sustained positive life changes for individuals and families by providing high-quality human services leading to self-reliance, dignity and hope. The Williams family is truly a testament to the services we provide and an inspiration for our staff, supporters, volunteers and those we serve.”
In September of 1999, Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter welcomed Rhonda Williams and her four children during a time of exceptional hardship for the family. Williams said the family had “run out of all options.” After turning to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter, the family benefited from the organization’s continuum of care and moved into Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Transitional Housing Program. With open arms, hot meals, and warm beds, the Transitional Housing Program encourages clients on their road to self-sufficiency and permanent housing by providing a myriad of services to those in need including: health care, job training and assistance, counseling, financial budgeting and adult education, and on-or-offsite housing for up to two years for homeless women and children.
With assistance from the program, the Williams family was able to find its footing and move out of the facility. Over the years the children have defied the odds and succeeded academically, athletically and in leadership positions. Currently, three of the four children are in college, and the youngest son, Michael, continues to succeed in high school. The children have exceeded not only expectations, but they have surpassed many of their peers. Williams’ second son, Joseph, received a full scholarship to the University of Virginia after earning the highest SAT score at his high school. The oldest son, Victor, finished his second year at Bridgewater College in Virginia and serves as a substitute teacher in Loudoun County.
Both Victor and Joseph received scholarships from Leesburg's “Beat the Odds Organization,” which recognizes youth who have faced hardship and overcome it.
Over the years, the Williams children have always made volunteering a priority in their lives. They have helped tutor younger children, built a peace park behind a mosque, cleaned up streets, participated as a Big Brother for Charlottsville youth and collected trash from the Anacostia River. They also rake leaves every year as part of a program in Fairfax County where donated proceeds benefit a variety of organizations.
Soon, the brothers will be taking on their largest volunteer effort yet; helping those in need in San Jose, Costa Rica. This summer, they will travel with The International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) on a 2010 Discover True Friendship Service Tour, where they will renovate shelters and dining facilities for the Foundation Luz Para Las Naciones which serves orphans, underprivileged families and the elderly of San Jose.
“There is nothing more rewarding than learning that a family we once helped is now making it their personal mission to help others,” Snyder added.
The Williams boys are currently seeking donations to fund their travel expenses and basic needs during their two-week trip abroad. They have created a website in order to raise financial support for their trip: giveforward.org/williamsbrothers.
###
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: StephanieFrankel
For Immediate Release
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Honored by Prince George’s County
Government for Outstanding Mental Health Services
Lanham, MD - (June 16, 2010) - Volunteers of America Chesapeake, the local affiliate of one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, received the “Special Recognition Award for Dedicated Service and a ‘Can Do’ Attitude” from the Prince George’s County Government Department of Family Services for two of its programs, during a special luncheon May 27 at the 16th Annual Mental Health Provider Appreciation Luncheon.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Prince George’s County Mental Health Services and Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Shelter Plus Care program were honored as a result of their significant work with mental health patients throughout Prince George’s County. The organization’s unique Residential Rehabilitation Program allows patients to live in a healthy and nonrestrictive environment where they are assigned daily tasks and household responsibilities, attend education classes, and participate in group activities. The purpose of the Shelter Plus Care program is to provide permanent housing in connection with supportive services to homeless people with disabilities and their families.
“Though the reimbursement for this program is not a lot, Volunteers of America Chesapeake has maintained their commitment to providing this program for some of the most vulnerable citizens of our County and they have historically done so with excellence,” said Karen Burks, Contracts Manager for Prince George’s County Government Department of Family Services, who nominated Volunteers of America Chesapeake for the award. “Volunteers of America Chesapeake even managed to stretch the program funding enough to serve two additional families with the funding received.”
Prince George’s County Mental Health Services works with 67 clients in 16 group homes across the county with help of more than 100 employees. The program focuses on each patient individually, allowing them to reach goals created based on the specific patient’s needs. Many of the program’s residents have been able to enter into the community’s work force on a part-time basis as well as take classes at a local community college. The Shelter Plus Care program currently serves 22 families – including more than 40 children – and eight individuals in its 29 units of supportive permanent housing. In 2009, 97 percent of Shelter Plus Care residents remained in the program six months or longer. Fifty-eight percent of residents remained in the program three years or longer. Eighty-five percent of the residents experienced an increase in income while they were in the program.
“We are happy that our dedicated staff members’ hard work was recognized,” said Kyoko Queen, Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Vice President, Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services. “[The work] requires patience, skill, and caring day in and day out.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving more than 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake at Forefront of New, Cost-Effective Information Technology Services
Lanham, MD - (April 29, 2010) - Volunteers of America Chesapeake, which operates 26 human services programs throughout the region serving the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly, and children, introduced cutting-edge cloud computing solutions to its 600-employee, Mid-Atlantic-based organization.
According to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Chief Financial Officer Shyam Desigan, the use of cloud computing solutions has saved the non-profit a significant amount of money that it can now dedicate to the more than 8,000 people the organization serves each year. He added that the new internet-based computing system allows staff to share resources, software and information. This on-demand system not only helps the agency save on capital expenses while increasing its high-speed bandwidth but also helps the organization respond to the client needs faster and more efficiently at a much lower cost than before.
In addition to saving money and increasing bandwidth, cloud computing services have also allowed Volunteers of America Chesapeake to do the following:
- Securely store, share and archive electronic files for all 26 programs in the organization.
- Allow all of the non-profit’s 600 employees throughout the mid-Atlantic region to be on the same e-mail to improve communication whether they are in their office or traveling.
- Accelerate technology adoption at the program level.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake also recently implemented KnowledgeTree software as its cloud-based document management system. The non-profit was featured in a KnowledgeTree case study because of the success and ease it has demonstrated using the offering. The system was rolled out departmentally– a process that only took 60 days and will be eventually implemented across the entire organization .
Implementing these technology upgrades and cutting-edge initiatives was a priority for Volunteers of America Chesapeake as the non-profit runs programs throughout the region, with employees located as far south as Virginia Beach and as far north as Baltimore. As a result the agency not only responded to the growing need for an efficient way to share digital information without a high price tag but also is acting as a model for other non-profit organizations. Desigan recently shared Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s initiatives with more than 150 non-profit governmental organizations as a guest speaker on a panel at Microsoft’s Washington D.C. NGO Connection Day.
“The cloud computing solutions offer non-profits a more efficient, lower cost and secure technology platform that will help integrate all business operations over time,” said Russell K. Snyder, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake. “I am extremely excited to know that our technology team is on the cutting edge of the solutions available to our business.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Only-one-of-its-Kind Essential Homeless Outreach Program in Montgomery County Faces Serious Threat of Closure Due to Imminent County Budget Cuts
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program Has Successfully Served Almost 1,000 Since Beginning Operation in 2006
Lanham, MD - (April 8, 2010) – Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program – which helps street homeless individuals in the county receive physical and mental health exams, medication, housing opportunities, and other vital services – is in danger of losing all county funding with the current Montgomery County proposed budget cuts.
“We are concerned for the wellbeing of the homeless men and women who are utilizing this effective program – if it will be cut from the county budget,” said Russ Snyder, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake. “Without the outreach engagement and supportive services we provide, street mentally ill individuals will be very likely to be involved in the corrections system, adding unnecessary costs for incarceration, and not helping these men and women become healthy, productive members of society.”
According to the 2009 point in time survey there are 1,247 homeless people in Montgomery County, up 8.5 percent from 2008. One of those individuals is S.M.; who although oncea successful business management professional, was laid off due to these historically bad economic times. After losing his job, and as a result of other mental health issues, S.M. lived in his car and on the streets for the past year and scavenged for food. Today, S.M. has permanent housing and a new job thanks to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program where staff addressed not only his housing and nutrition needs, but his mental health issues as well.
“Please do not stop funding programs that help the homeless,” he said. “Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s staff helped me to see and enjoy the bright colors of life again…Thank you for hope and transformation you are giving people.”
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program is the only one of its kind in the county that serves the majority of these individuals by sending workers out in the community at all times of day and night, to provide health, housing, food and other essential services.
The Program currently receives 43% (or $114,000) of its funding from the county, with the remaining funds coming from State and Federal government grants. With the proposed budget cuts, the County would discontinue its program funding; thus putting the Federal and State government grants at risk and ultimately resulting in closure of the program.
To ensure these much-needed services are available at Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program to serve the more than 1,000 homeless men and women of the county, area residents are urged to express their opinions/views through email (at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov ), regular mail (at 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850), or by calling the budget hotline (call 240-777-7802). Residents can also follow the Council’s daily work on the budget at www.montgomerycountymd/council and clicking on ‘budget update.’ To learn more about Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s work in action, residents can visit www.voaches.org
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Digs Out After Record-Setting Winter Weather
Employees from the Non-Profit’s Homeless Services Facilities Logged 4,500 Overtime Hours During Snowstorms
Lanham, MD - (April 1, 2010) – As spring arrives and the snow melts, the D.C. area is readying for Cherry Blossoms, sporting events on the Mall, baseball season and walks through the parks. But Volunteers of America Chesapeake is still feeling the effects of the region’s record-breaking snowfalls that shook up our area over the past few months.
With record-setting low temperatures and snow hitting the Mid-Atlantic, non-profit organizations such as Volunteers of America Chesapeake are still trying to dig out from an unprecedented depletion of resources. As a direct result of the Blizzards of 2010, Volunteers of America Chesapeake employees logged 4,500 overtime hours and the organization is faced with a nearly $100,000 funding gap for its homeless services programs, which provide critical services to those in need. "We are hopeful that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) disaster recovery dollars are made widely available in all Maryland counties, Virginia and the District of Columbia to the non-profit community to help close this unexpected funding gap due to the blizzards of 2010," said Russ Snyder, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake.
The difficult conditions also forced the program directors at Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s 14 homeless facilities throughout the D.C. area to:
- Enlist extra staff and volunteers for overnight shifts with some working 24-hour days.
- Prepare additional food for essential staff and volunteers who may have been snowed in at the facility.
- Ensure adequate food and water was on hand.
- Check emergency boxes and supplies including water, blankets, flashlights, batteries, emergency phones, and more.
- Put forth funds for extra winter-related maintenance such as snow removal and additional heating costs.
- Procure additional vehicles for staff and resident transportation.
Snyder also added, “Volunteers of America Chesapeake continues to rely upon area residents and organizations for much-needed assistance with replenishing every day items such as toiletries, non-perishable food, bedding and clothing, We are so grateful to all of our employees, volunteers and the community for their unwavering support during the past few months. But it is important that we continue to receive this support to ensure that each of our 14 homeless facilities, serving approximately 5,000 people annually, will not only recover from the storms but also be ready to serve those in need all year long.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services. www.voaches.org
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
For Immediate Release
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Gives Back to Family it
Helped out of Homelessness Who is Now Helping Others
Lanham, MD - (June 28, 2010) – In an unusual move for a non-profit organization, Russell K. Snyder, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake, announced today that the non-profit will donate $1 for each of its 600 employees to an admirable cause led by a family who turned its life around after receiving assistance from Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter and Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Transitional Housing Program in Leesburg, VA. The Williams family of Sterling, Virginia, who benefitted tremendously from Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s programs more than a decade ago, is using the $600.00 donation to help others and travel to Costa Rica this summer, rebuilding shelters for those in need.
“It is so fulfilling when we hear about the amazing successes of individuals and families who have benefitted from our programs,” Snyder said. “This family really epitomizes why our staff works so hard every day to provide essential services through our 26 facilities across the region.
“Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s mission is to create sustained positive life changes for individuals and families by providing high-quality human services leading to self-reliance, dignity and hope. The Williams family is truly a testament to the services we provide and an inspiration for our staff, supporters, volunteers and those we serve.”
In September of 1999, Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter welcomed Rhonda Williams and her four children during a time of exceptional hardship for the family. Williams said the family had “run out of all options.” After turning to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Emergency Shelter, the family benefited from the organization’s continuum of care and moved into Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Loudoun Transitional Housing Program. With open arms, hot meals, and warm beds, the Transitional Housing Program encourages clients on their road to self-sufficiency and permanent housing by providing a myriad of services to those in need including: health care, job training and assistance, counseling, financial budgeting and adult education, and on-or-offsite housing for up to two years for homeless women and children.
With assistance from the program, the Williams family was able to find its footing and move out of the facility. Over the years the children have defied the odds and succeeded academically, athletically and in leadership positions. Currently, three of the four children are in college, and the youngest son, Michael, continues to succeed in high school. The children have exceeded not only expectations, but they have surpassed many of their peers. Williams’ second son, Joseph, received a full scholarship to the University of Virginia after earning the highest SAT score at his high school. The oldest son, Victor, finished his second year at Bridgewater College in Virginia and serves as a substitute teacher in Loudoun County.
Both Victor and Joseph received scholarships from Leesburg's “Beat the Odds Organization,” which recognizes youth who have faced hardship and overcome it.
Over the years, the Williams children have always made volunteering a priority in their lives. They have helped tutor younger children, built a peace park behind a mosque, cleaned up streets, participated as a Big Brother for Charlottsville youth and collected trash from the Anacostia River. They also rake leaves every year as part of a program in Fairfax County where donated proceeds benefit a variety of organizations.
Soon, the brothers will be taking on their largest volunteer effort yet; helping those in need in San Jose, Costa Rica. This summer, they will travel with The International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) on a 2010 Discover True Friendship Service Tour, where they will renovate shelters and dining facilities for the Foundation Luz Para Las Naciones which serves orphans, underprivileged families and the elderly of San Jose.
“There is nothing more rewarding than learning that a family we once helped is now making it their personal mission to help others,” Snyder added.
The Williams boys are currently seeking donations to fund their travel expenses and basic needs during their two-week trip abroad. They have created a website in order to raise financial support for their trip: giveforward.org/williamsbrothers.
###
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: StephanieFrankel
For Immediate Release
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Honored by Prince George’s County
Government for Outstanding Mental Health Services
Lanham, MD - (June 16, 2010) - Volunteers of America Chesapeake, the local affiliate of one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, received the “Special Recognition Award for Dedicated Service and a ‘Can Do’ Attitude” from the Prince George’s County Government Department of Family Services for two of its programs, during a special luncheon May 27 at the 16th Annual Mental Health Provider Appreciation Luncheon.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Prince George’s County Mental Health Services and Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Shelter Plus Care program were honored as a result of their significant work with mental health patients throughout Prince George’s County. The organization’s unique Residential Rehabilitation Program allows patients to live in a healthy and nonrestrictive environment where they are assigned daily tasks and household responsibilities, attend education classes, and participate in group activities. The purpose of the Shelter Plus Care program is to provide permanent housing in connection with supportive services to homeless people with disabilities and their families.
“Though the reimbursement for this program is not a lot, Volunteers of America Chesapeake has maintained their commitment to providing this program for some of the most vulnerable citizens of our County and they have historically done so with excellence,” said Karen Burks, Contracts Manager for Prince George’s County Government Department of Family Services, who nominated Volunteers of America Chesapeake for the award. “Volunteers of America Chesapeake even managed to stretch the program funding enough to serve two additional families with the funding received.”
Prince George’s County Mental Health Services works with 67 clients in 16 group homes across the county with help of more than 100 employees. The program focuses on each patient individually, allowing them to reach goals created based on the specific patient’s needs. Many of the program’s residents have been able to enter into the community’s work force on a part-time basis as well as take classes at a local community college. The Shelter Plus Care program currently serves 22 families – including more than 40 children – and eight individuals in its 29 units of supportive permanent housing. In 2009, 97 percent of Shelter Plus Care residents remained in the program six months or longer. Fifty-eight percent of residents remained in the program three years or longer. Eighty-five percent of the residents experienced an increase in income while they were in the program.
“We are happy that our dedicated staff members’ hard work was recognized,” said Kyoko Queen, Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Vice President, Mental Health and Rehabilitation Services. “[The work] requires patience, skill, and caring day in and day out.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving more than 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake at Forefront of New, Cost-Effective Information Technology Services
Lanham, MD - (April 29, 2010) - Volunteers of America Chesapeake, which operates 26 human services programs throughout the region serving the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly, and children, introduced cutting-edge cloud computing solutions to its 600-employee, Mid-Atlantic-based organization.
According to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Chief Financial Officer Shyam Desigan, the use of cloud computing solutions has saved the non-profit a significant amount of money that it can now dedicate to the more than 8,000 people the organization serves each year. He added that the new internet-based computing system allows staff to share resources, software and information. This on-demand system not only helps the agency save on capital expenses while increasing its high-speed bandwidth but also helps the organization respond to the client needs faster and more efficiently at a much lower cost than before.
In addition to saving money and increasing bandwidth, cloud computing services have also allowed Volunteers of America Chesapeake to do the following:
- Securely store, share and archive electronic files for all 26 programs in the organization.
- Allow all of the non-profit’s 600 employees throughout the mid-Atlantic region to be on the same e-mail to improve communication whether they are in their office or traveling.
- Accelerate technology adoption at the program level.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake also recently implemented KnowledgeTree software as its cloud-based document management system. The non-profit was featured in a KnowledgeTree case study because of the success and ease it has demonstrated using the offering. The system was rolled out departmentally– a process that only took 60 days and will be eventually implemented across the entire organization .
Implementing these technology upgrades and cutting-edge initiatives was a priority for Volunteers of America Chesapeake as the non-profit runs programs throughout the region, with employees located as far south as Virginia Beach and as far north as Baltimore. As a result the agency not only responded to the growing need for an efficient way to share digital information without a high price tag but also is acting as a model for other non-profit organizations. Desigan recently shared Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s initiatives with more than 150 non-profit governmental organizations as a guest speaker on a panel at Microsoft’s Washington D.C. NGO Connection Day.
“The cloud computing solutions offer non-profits a more efficient, lower cost and secure technology platform that will help integrate all business operations over time,” said Russell K. Snyder, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake. “I am extremely excited to know that our technology team is on the cutting edge of the solutions available to our business.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
###
CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Only-one-of-its-Kind Essential Homeless Outreach Program in Montgomery County Faces Serious Threat of Closure Due to Imminent County Budget Cuts
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program Has Successfully Served Almost 1,000 Since Beginning Operation in 2006
Lanham, MD - (April 8, 2010) – Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program – which helps street homeless individuals in the county receive physical and mental health exams, medication, housing opportunities, and other vital services – is in danger of losing all county funding with the current Montgomery County proposed budget cuts.
“We are concerned for the wellbeing of the homeless men and women who are utilizing this effective program – if it will be cut from the county budget,” said Russ Snyder, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake. “Without the outreach engagement and supportive services we provide, street mentally ill individuals will be very likely to be involved in the corrections system, adding unnecessary costs for incarceration, and not helping these men and women become healthy, productive members of society.”
According to the 2009 point in time survey there are 1,247 homeless people in Montgomery County, up 8.5 percent from 2008. One of those individuals is S.M.; who although oncea successful business management professional, was laid off due to these historically bad economic times. After losing his job, and as a result of other mental health issues, S.M. lived in his car and on the streets for the past year and scavenged for food. Today, S.M. has permanent housing and a new job thanks to Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program where staff addressed not only his housing and nutrition needs, but his mental health issues as well.
“Please do not stop funding programs that help the homeless,” he said. “Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s staff helped me to see and enjoy the bright colors of life again…Thank you for hope and transformation you are giving people.”
Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program is the only one of its kind in the county that serves the majority of these individuals by sending workers out in the community at all times of day and night, to provide health, housing, food and other essential services.
The Program currently receives 43% (or $114,000) of its funding from the county, with the remaining funds coming from State and Federal government grants. With the proposed budget cuts, the County would discontinue its program funding; thus putting the Federal and State government grants at risk and ultimately resulting in closure of the program.
To ensure these much-needed services are available at Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Montgomery County Mental Health and Homeless Outreach Program to serve the more than 1,000 homeless men and women of the county, area residents are urged to express their opinions/views through email (at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov ), regular mail (at 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850), or by calling the budget hotline (call 240-777-7802). Residents can also follow the Council’s daily work on the budget at www.montgomerycountymd/council and clicking on ‘budget update.’ To learn more about Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s work in action, residents can visit www.voaches.org
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services.
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CONTACT NAME: Stephanie Frankel
PHONE: 410-561-8886
EMAIL ADDRESS: stephanie@barbclapp.com
Volunteers of America Chesapeake Digs Out After Record-Setting Winter Weather
Employees from the Non-Profit’s Homeless Services Facilities Logged 4,500 Overtime Hours During Snowstorms
Lanham, MD - (April 1, 2010) – As spring arrives and the snow melts, the D.C. area is readying for Cherry Blossoms, sporting events on the Mall, baseball season and walks through the parks. But Volunteers of America Chesapeake is still feeling the effects of the region’s record-breaking snowfalls that shook up our area over the past few months.
With record-setting low temperatures and snow hitting the Mid-Atlantic, non-profit organizations such as Volunteers of America Chesapeake are still trying to dig out from an unprecedented depletion of resources. As a direct result of the Blizzards of 2010, Volunteers of America Chesapeake employees logged 4,500 overtime hours and the organization is faced with a nearly $100,000 funding gap for its homeless services programs, which provide critical services to those in need. "We are hopeful that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) disaster recovery dollars are made widely available in all Maryland counties, Virginia and the District of Columbia to the non-profit community to help close this unexpected funding gap due to the blizzards of 2010," said Russ Snyder, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Chesapeake.
The difficult conditions also forced the program directors at Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s 14 homeless facilities throughout the D.C. area to:
- Enlist extra staff and volunteers for overnight shifts with some working 24-hour days.
- Prepare additional food for essential staff and volunteers who may have been snowed in at the facility.
- Ensure adequate food and water was on hand.
- Check emergency boxes and supplies including water, blankets, flashlights, batteries, emergency phones, and more.
- Put forth funds for extra winter-related maintenance such as snow removal and additional heating costs.
- Procure additional vehicles for staff and resident transportation.
Snyder also added, “Volunteers of America Chesapeake continues to rely upon area residents and organizations for much-needed assistance with replenishing every day items such as toiletries, non-perishable food, bedding and clothing, We are so grateful to all of our employees, volunteers and the community for their unwavering support during the past few months. But it is important that we continue to receive this support to ensure that each of our 14 homeless facilities, serving approximately 5,000 people annually, will not only recover from the storms but also be ready to serve those in need all year long.”
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA CHESAPEAKE
Volunteers of America Chesapeake, founded in 1896 in Baltimore, is the locally chartered affiliate of Volunteers of America, Inc., one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive human services organizations. They accomplish their spiritually based mission by serving over 8,000 people annually through programs spread geographically from Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Volunteers of America Chesapeake operates 26 programs that serve the homeless, mentally ill, intellectually disabled, ex-offenders, substance abusers, the elderly and children. The professional staff of more than 600 employees, partner with dedicated volunteers, local government officials, businesses, civic organizations and the faith community to provide high quality human services. www.voaches.org
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