Newsletter Summer 2022

RAM HOUSE NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2022

RAM-VAN RAM House has purchased a new RAM-Van to meet the daily transportation needs for our clients. During the Roanoke Times Good Neighbors Fund campaign, Roanoke Area Ministries, affectionately known as the RAM House, requested a new van. The 1998 van was a gas guzzler and was expensive to repair. The dream seemed impossible, but dreams have a way of coming true. Thanks to Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, the Church of the Latter Day Saints and an anonymous car dealership, a 2020 Dodge Caravan has been purchased. The van will be used to pick up the supplies that feed around 150 people everyday. According to Executive Director, Melissa Woodson, “we are so relieved to have a van that is in good working order and will prominently display our beautiful new branding.” Woodson has a bigger dream. Though RAM House is relocating to an area within an easy walk of the Rescue Mission, she wants to recruit volunteer drivers who will pick up people who have physical issues making it impossible for them to walk the 2.8 mile round trip from the Rescue Mission to RAM House. The purpose is to give additional people safe shelter away from harsh elements and to provide services that will increase the likelihood of rapid rehousing. RAM House has increased its partnerships with area providers like the Rescue Mission who generously offered to bring the Fralin Clinic van to RAM House. Support Services LLC is providing mental health care at RAM House.

The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition is also on site to assist those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. The Council of Community Service will soon be sending an additional case worker to RAM House to assist. “Even without office space, we are still doing everything we can to assist people experiencing homelessness. We are so happy to do all we can. This van will help.” Volunteers who wish to assist in morning or evening transport can initiate the process by going online at www.raminc.org and clicking “get involved”. A short time commitment can make an amazing difference.

“HOMELESSNESS DOESN’THAVE ASEASON”

@R.A.M.Shelter

@r.a.m_house

@ RamHouseRoanoke

RAM House Roanoke

Roanoke Area Ministries - RAM House

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RAM NEWSLETTER

As the Summer and the heat progresses, please consider supporting RAM House through these hot summer months. How RAM House helps: • A safe, cool day shelter, welcoming our guests. • Breakfast for day shelter guests. • Lunch for shelter guests and financially-challenged community members. • Hydration, hygiene items, a place to clean up, clean clothes, insect repellent and sunscreen. Ways to Donate: • Mail checks to 824 Campbell Ave SW Roanoke, VA. 24016 • Go online to www.raminc.org/waystodonate • Scan QR Code with phone to go directly to the donation page RAM NEWSLETTER 3

New Board president Milton Hardy, Jr becomes our new President. BREAKING NEWS! The #iamramfam team welcomes our new Board President, Milton Hardy, Jr! He is a Roanoke native and a proud graduate of William Fleming High School. He is also a proud 8-year veteran of the United States Navy and Army. He is the assistant pastor of the Greater Prayer Temple Church and is the Community Health Worker Supervisor for the Roanoke / Allegheny Health District in the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, he is the president of the SW Virginia Gospel Industry Network. Milton is an active gospel recording artist and songwriter. He is the proud father of three and the son of a preacher man! We look forward to Milton’s leadership in the coming years!

VOLUNTEER T-SHIRT RAM House has undergone a drastic design change with our volunteer t-shirt. We have added to our “key” logo by incorporating a collegiate feel to the shirt. In the words of our marketing director, Tony Clark, “I wanted to design something that not only looked good visually but had a unifying concept to it. The college-like logo seems to give the feeling that we’re all in this together and on the same team. Whether we are a volunteer, staff, or board member, we are all here to see and meet the need daily of those who are struggling to make ends meet in a worsening time of inflation. Plus, these shirts are produced on higher quality material than the normal run of-the-mill t-shirt and will have a longer life. I also wanted this design to be attractive out in the public as well, and make onlookers curious about the shirt and where it came from and its purpose.” The feedback has been good from our volunteers, and you can see them sporting it quite often while volunteering their time at the shelter. This is a small token of appreciation to those giving their time for the greater need in our Roanoke Valley.”

James, modeling our new volunteer t-shirt.

Milton Hardy, Jr. and Melissa Woodson.

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RAM NEWSLETTER

ram house VIDEO PODCAST

executive director’s corner It is not unusual these days to see a long line of people waiting for emergency assistance at RAMHouse. We are grateful to the Roanoke Times Good Neighbors Fund campaign and we have been able tomeet the needs of people who would otherwise join the ranks of the homeless. Many are fixed-income elderly and disabled individuals who were able to meet their budgets in the past but are now in financial trouble due to a 40-year high inflation rate of 9.1% for food, gas, and housing costs. At the end of May, fuel costs were up 34.6% from a year ago. The lower middle income are devastatingly becoming low income individuals. Given this new post-pandemic world, RAM House is quickly changing how we serve. Since the first of the year, we have collaborated with the Rescue Mission to have the Fralin Clinic visit our day shelter. We have provided additional mental health services through BrightView Health and Support Services LLC. The Council of Community Services has sent a social worker into RAM House to assist homeless veterans. The Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition is also on site. It is humbling and challenging to try to meet the vastly increasing needs of our community. Our staff and volunteers are helping more people than ever. We continue to see increases in day shelter guests. As a non-profit, this has meant additional staffing hours as well as an overall increase in supply costs. Thanks to your generous donations, we continue, as our tagline aptly states, to see the need and meet the need. Daily.

Our Ram House video podcast has once again picked up steam for the summer months. We are currently interviewing those who are in front of and behind the scenes at RAM House. This podcast is a way to keep up-to-date with our volunteers, donors, and social media followers on the latest happenings at RAM House. This summer we have had the opportunity to interview our Executive Director, Board President, Kitchen Manager, and Shelter Manager. They have been able to fill us in on what is urgently needed and how we are meeting the need. We have planned more video podcasts with other staff, board members, and a volunteer or two. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook, please do so today. This way you can keep abreast of the latest information and updates.

development director’s corner In April, Bruce Loving joined RAM House as our new Development Director. He is a native Virginian with over two decades of experience in the non-profit sector. He has served as the director of public relations for Washington National Opera, director of communications for Virginia Opera, and membership manager for Greenpeace USA, among others. Bruce is a graduate of Mary Washington College and the University of Virginia School of Law. Bruce is available to discuss ways for you to make a difference at RAM House. You may contact him directly by email at developmentdirector@raminc.org.

RAM NEWSLETTER

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Abbie Coleman and Dwayne Murrell with WSLS 10.

We need kitchen volunteers. Sign up today!

We need kitchen volunteers! We are currently serving around 120 clients per day for lunch. Do you want to have a rewarding time volunteering for a great cause? Come join the #iamramfam team kitchen. As time progresses, many of our faithful kitchen veterans are retiring, and we are looking for new ones to fill in the void. You don’t need to be a chef, just have the heart to be a part of the team! You will have a great experience as you join this team. We are looking for temporary and long term volunteers. Email our Development Director at developmentdirector@raminc.org. Come and join the fun and be part of the #iamramfam team!

Isabella Ledonne with WDBJ7.

Gene Morrano with WFIR News Talk Radio.

local media coverage We recently received great local media coverage from WDBJ7, WSLS 10, and WFIR Radio. We are thankful for the media who truly care about seeing and meeting the need of all of our residents in this time of staggering inflation. These affiliates have covered stories about RAM ranging from our new RAM-Van, the increasing numbers of Financial Assistance clients, to RAM House offering a cooling shelter and resources for the homeless population. Thank you!

Barbara and Nanette volunteering in the kitchen.

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RAM NEWSLETTER

RAM HOUSE SUMMER NEEDS LIST and how you can help

With the summer months progressing, we are once again in need of vital supplies to keep RAM House and our clients safe and supplied on the scorching streets.

SHELTER NEEDS • Razors • Toothbrushes • Large Gloves

KITCHEN NEEDS • Disposable gloves - M, L, XL • Dish soap • Paper lunch bags /take home bags • Plastic forks/spoons • Bottled water • Dish rags and dish towels • 3 comp. to-go conatiners 8“ or 9” Want to help with these items? Email: kitchenmanager@raminc.org Call: 540-777-4099 • Hot pads or oven mitts • Heavy duty oven cleaner

• Styro cups 6 or 8 oz • Plastic spoons / forks • Paper plates • Coffee • Sugar • Creamer Want to help with these items? Email: sheltermanager@raminc.org Call: 540-343-3753

national radio coverage

Jack Church and Melissa Woodson during the interview.

Jack Church from K-Love Radio stopped in for an interview about the plight of increasing homelessness in Roanoke. Recently we had a visit from K-Love Radio host, Jack Church of Closer Look. He sat down with our Executive Director, Melissa Woodson, for a radio interview. During this interview, he asked about the increasing numbers we are seeing daily at RAM House. Melissa discussed the solutions we are able to provide for our clients. In addition, she mentioned the increasing number of mental health issues we encounter and the assistance we are able to provide. Closer Look is heard on over 400 stations in all of the 50 states on both K-Love and AIR 1 Radio. Closer Look has been on the radio for over 10 years and can be heard locally on 106.1 FM.

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LONGTIME KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS Faithful trio leaving their mark at RAM.

We want to spotlight the “trio” who have a combined 35 years of RAM House kitchen experience - Kay, Jim, and Sara. These women and this man are an integral part of our foundation, along with other volunteers and staff. Without them, we would not be able to operate. Thank you so much for your caring hearts and dedication to seeing and meeting the need in our kitchen weekly. This is what Roanoke Area Ministries is all about. Please come and join the #iamramfam team and volunteer!

Kay, Jim, and Sara, taking a break in the RAM House kitchen.

VET ASSISTANCE

Through compassionate veterinary care, the Street Dog Coalition strives to not only provide wellness services for pets that are often unable to reach care but also use the shared love of animals to help human clients access community services. Clients have expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to access veterinary services for their four-legged family members. The next clinic will be held in September 2022.” Thanks to Ella and The Street Dog Coalition, RAM House is seeing and meeting the need in more than just financial aid and daily lunches.

Members of the Street Dog Coalition at Ram House. How is RAM House meeting the need of our clients who have a beloved pet? RAM House is partnering with the Street Dog Coalition. In the words of Ella Rak, a veterinary student at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and the program co-lead for the Southwest Virginia branch of the Street Dog Coalition. “Since February 2022, the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the Street Dog Coalition, a national organization providing ‘one health’ services for individuals at risk of, or experiencing homelessness with pets, has started operations in Roanoke and the New River Valley. Once per quarter, the RAM house parking lot transforms into a temporary clinic, rain or shine, with volunteer veterinarians and veterinary students partnering with the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition to provide judgment-free care to RAM House clients and their pets.

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RAM House 824 Campbell Ave SW Roanoke, VA 24016

RAM House | (540) 345-8850 | www.raminc.org