RAM House Newsletter EOY 2022

RAM HOUSE NEWSLETTER END OF YEAR 2022

Pictured: Milton Hardy Jr., Andrew Whaley, and Melissa Woodson | Photo courtesy of Scott P. Yates, The Roanoke Times

executive director notes In late October, I calculated the number of people we literally took off the streets in 2022. The number magically hit 100 people. 82 adults and 18 children. That is 100 people who had nowhere to go. 100 people from diverse backgrounds. 100 people who have a home thanks to RAM House. Threeyears intomypositionasExecutiveDirector, I amwatching the need for homeless services rapidly increasing. And I hear from my colleagues in the field that they are experiencing the same thing. One of the recent measures of this issue is the amount of people we feed on a daily basis. Pre-Covid, we fed 80 to 90 people each day. Recently, we have practically doubled that. The community is coming to RAM House to save money so they can pay escalating rent, utilities and groceries. Doubling those numbers required adding a staffing position, not to mention purchasing more food and supplies. Thankfullywehave remainedstablebut Iworryabout the future. I worry about the ability for donations to continue. I’ve had quite a few instances in our financial aid department where former donors have become recipients of help with their utility bills or rent. It only takes a sickness, the cost of a funeral, or a lay off to jeopardize a family. And yet, remarkably, the good will of the Roanoke community has kept us stable, and I pray it continues. Through the goodness of the Catholic Diocese, RAM House has existed at 824 Campbell Avenue since 1986, though the organization began in 1971. During our strategic planning, we took a good look at our current situation and concluded that we needed to find a new home for RAM House.

With mental health and substance abuse issues being so important to address, we need a handicapped accessible building that can provide privacy for mental health and substance abuse counseling as well as a small medical clinic for intrinsic needs. Although we certainly make sure our clients receive hygiene items and we provide sinks for cleaning up as well as laundry facilities, our Board felt it was intrinsic that our guests get the opportunity to shower daily. RAM House day shelter clients are by far the most likely to sleep outdoors because they mentally cannot tolerate overnight shelter visits. How could we possibly expect someone to begin their day with some hope without the basic need of a shower? And so, we have proceeded to acquire significant donations which will be announced soon! However, we have encountered a hiccup in realizing our vision. Due to what was referred to as “holistic reasons” the owner of the perfect building decided to withdraw an offer of sales, despite our having raised the money to pay for the building. Thus, this totally impassioned board has pressed on by working within the community to find the right place, because deep in our hearts, we can better solve the problem of homelessness. We are working with heavy hitters in the Roanoke Valley to find us a spot that is acceptable for our needs. I believe this community will pull us through. There is nothing more exhilarating, nor frightening, than taking the step to make significant change. Nothing this leadership at RAM House has accomplished thus far has been easy. Deep in our hearts we believe in RAM House. We believe in its 52 year history of serving so many with heart and compassion. And I know, with the commitment of our #RAMFAM, we shall prevail.

“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 winter progresses, please consider supporting RAM House through the coming cold months. How RAM House helps: • A safe, warm 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

pet care clinic

RAM is using a broad approach for our client care RAM House once again opened our parking lot to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine to meet the need for the pets of our clients. Pet preventive care is a vital need that we often forget. In a worsening economy, our local pet shelters are seeing a sky-rocketing increase in the pets given up for adoption. Many of these shelters are unable to find them homes, and more often than not many are euthanised. Because of your support of RAM House, we will keep our doors open for this wonderful organization and wholeheartedly support what they do. Their service enables our clients to keep their pets healthy and whole through preventative care and any needed procedures are taken care of. Thank you for supporting RAM and our holistic approach for our clients and their pets.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia has awarded RAM House a $25,000 grant for Project Hope. This initiative will help individuals and families who are confronting catastrophic, life altering circumstances and will also help provide shelter, care, and assistance to battered women. This Community Foundation grant was awarded through The Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund. RAM House is deeply grateful for this grant.

A recent financial aid client wrote us this sincere note of thanks

Snapshots of a recent pet-clinic for our furry friends

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RAM NEWSLETTER

Staff member spotlight In our staff spotlight this month we are featuring our incredible Shelter Manager, Linda Harris. Linda has been a foundation at RAM for about 20 years. When Linda was asked about one of her most memorable experiences at RAM, she mentions the time she was able to help a client who had been homeless for two years. “He was in an emotional state, and at the point of giving up,” she stated. Not only was she able to help him with the application process for permanent housing, she was also able to help with the apartment search and found a nice one in the heart of downtown. In the time since he has been able to get back on his feet and has purchased a car. Asked about the significance of having Linda as our Shelter Manager, our Executive Director, Melissa Woodson, commented, “Linda is such a source of strength to me. She has a way of seeing all sides to a situation and has given me the best advice. She has a difficult job that holds somuch responsibility. She’s able to keep it about who we serve -- not herself. I admire her so much.“ Thank you, Linda!

RAM-VAN Update

We wanted to give a brief update on the van we were able to acquire earlier in the year. This year we were blessed to receive a new RAM-Van to replace our old one which was in much need of constant maintenance. We have been able to make consistent trips to pick up needed supplies, and it is being constantly used throughout the week. The supplies vary from donations from BJ’s to food pickups from places such as Panera and Kroger. Again, we thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church for their extreme generosity in making this happen.

Nancy Trussell at the presentation of our new RAM-Van

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Mill Mountain Zoo gift certificate contributed to the auction

We need kitchen volunteers. Come and join our team!

We need kitchen volunteers! We are currently serving around 150 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!

Roanoke Co-op gift certificate contributed to the auction

RAM House kitchen crew during a recent video shoot

RAM online auction We had great success with our second annual online auction. This year we once again had generous donations ranging from dazzling jewelry to zoo memberships. We had tremendous fund-raising with our auction last year and it enabled organizations and individuals to be involved directly with the RAM House mission. And, in the bigger picture, it got the word out in the community about what we are doing seven days a week. Thanks to everyone involved in this auction and for spreading the word! Taubman Museum gift certificate contributed to the auction

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RAM NEWSLETTER

RAM HOUSE WINTER NEEDS LIST and how you can help!

With the winter months progressing, we are in need of supplies to keep our clients safe and supplied on the ever increasing cold and bitter streets of Roanoke. Below are our greatest needs at this time.

SHELTER NEEDS • 55 Gallon Trash Bags • Toothbrushes • Winter gloves • Styro cups and bowls

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 • Hot pads or oven mitts • Heavy duty oven cleaner • 3 compartment food box 8“ or 9” • Coffee • Foil & large saran wrap • Sugar Want to help with these items? Email: kitchenmanager@raminc.org Call: 540-777-4099

• Rain Ponchos • Paper plates • Dixie Cups • Laundry Detergent • Peroxide/Lysol • Toilet Paper • Feminine body cleansers • Ice melt Want to help with these items? Email: sheltermanager@raminc.org Call: 540-343-3753

CARILION FLU CLINIC

Pictured: Katie and Shari from Carillon Community Health and Outreach

Flu Vaccination Clinic is meeting the need We recently had a visit from Carilion Clinic’s Community Health and Outreach department. They set up their flu vaccination clinic and gave free influenza shots to our clients. Many of our clients are at a higher risk of complications from influenza than the general population. The health experts are seeing increased cases of influenza this year with severe complications that can lead to death. Statistics from the (vdh.virginia.gov) website shows that this flu season is one of the worst on record. Working in cooperation with Carilion Clinic’s Community Health and Outreach team, RAM is continuing to meet the need for influenza prevention. Thank you, Carilion Clinic’s Community Health and Outreach department!

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faithful servant retiring It is with sadness that we are having to say goodbye to our Financial Aid Case Manager, Joyce Story After years of faithful service to our clients at RAM, our Financial Aid Case Manager is retiring. Joyce has been an amazing worker who has tirelessly advocated for the clients who walk through our doors on a daily basis. She has a huge heart for the ones who are struggling financially, and it is evident in her interactions each day. Our Executive Director, Melissa Woodson, had these words to say about Joyce, “Anyone who knows the details of Joyce’s past realizes that it is an extraordinary life. As a leader, I look to her for her calm and her wisdom. Every single one of us will miss her. She is such a lovely person.” All of us at RAM House will certainly be sad to see her leave and miss the interactions we have with her each day. It is not an end though, as we look forward to her coming back and saying hello. KITCHEN VOLUNTEER spotlight A consistent and faithful anchor in the RAM kitchen We want to spotlight one of our kitchen volunteers, Aaron Levine. Aaron has beenwith us about 10 years. Initially, hewas volunteering in the kitchen on a few weekends and holidays throughout the year. After being furloughed from his job during the pandemic, he started to become more consistent in the kitchen due to a more flexible schedule. Then, after he was able to go back to work, he has been faithful in his duties in the RAM kitchen. We are so th nkful for you, Aaron. And, in his own words, “I love the personalities and camaraderie of the other volunteers, and the food is excellent!” thanks, joyce! “I have enjoyed working with you side by side every day, and I consider you not only a valuable asset to our company, but an enjoyable presence in the office as well. I will miss my morning text to ask me if I want an egg and cheese biscuit, and will also miss hearing all of the fun stories about your big family. You have done so many great things in life and succeeded with great patience. I know you will enjoy your time of relaxation.” Jessica Joseph Senior Financial Aid Program Manager Photo courtesy of Scott P. Yates, The Roanoke Times Roanoke Area Ministries is primarily donor funded. When you donate to the Good Neighbors Fund, you help keep people in their homes, and give those who don’t have a home, a place of their own. You are making a difference for our neighbors in the Roanoke Valley, and Blue Ridge Region. Thank you, for partnering wit us. For nearly 40 years, h mon y raised through The Roanoke Times’ Good Ne ghbor Fund, h s help d support our Emergency Financi l Assistance program. This program provides help with rent and utilities for those who are facing a sudden financial crisis. Without the Good Neighbors Fund, we would not be ble t do what we do. When you give to the Good Neighbors Fund, you are making a instant impact in the lives of individuals who are struggling just to make ends meet and keep themselves under a warm roof during the approaching cold winter months. She is very thorough in her efforts, and each person gets more than 100% of her time. She is meticulous in her work from beginning to end. We engaged in a conversation one day, regarding a message she had taken for me. She gave me the message and still repeated it back to me word for word. That type of work ethic is hardly found anymore. Joyce is a wonderful person. She loves people. She loves her family, home, and church. I met some of her Church ladies. While they were talking, I stood back and looked. She was a look into my future. When I am ‘there’, I hope to be just as strong, just as caring, and ready to engage in another adventure. Joyce, you Rock!” RAM House | (540) 345-8850 | www.raminc.org RAM House | 824 Campbell Ave SW Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 345-8850 | www.raminc.org

good neighbors fund | roanoke times Pictured: Aaron Levine at his station in the kitchen

Joyce holding up our #IAMRAMFAM sign during the Wheeler filming session.

When Joyce was asked about some memorable experiences at RAM, she had this to say, “I have had clients come in who were frustrated, worried, scared and had no idea what they were going to do. After speaking to them, letting them know what we could do for them, they left feeling much better about their situation and with hope. I’ve cried with some, felt helpless that RAM couldn’t do more for some, but then, many times I would send their application to other agencies and churches we work with, and I was able to get them all the assistance they needed.” She went on to tell us about how much she will miss working here, “I will miss working with the clients, my coworkers, and seeing the homeless come in to eat, get out of the cold or heat, and just knowing that RAM is doing a great job fulfilling our mission.”

When we asked our Shelter Manager, Linda Harris, about her thoughts on her fellow co-worker and friend, she had these words to say,” Through the years of knowing Ms. Story I have found her to be someone who has a passionate feeling toward the people she has helped.

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