EVERYDAY GRACE
Winter 2013
This is why we do what we do.
www.voa-ncnn.org
Inside: Pat Cashell Honors His Father, Reno Mayor Cashell | Share the Love!
Making the Resource Center a Friendly Place | Finding a New Path... and more!
Pat Cashell Honors His Father,
Reno Mayor Cashell
When the City of Reno’s beloved mayor was kept from speaking at November’s
fundraising breakfast due to health concerns, his son, Pat, stepped in without
hesitation. Our guests were mesmerized by Pat’s story of how someone from
a loving supportive family could be affected by drugs and homelessness. Now
several years clean, Pat shared his compassion, hope and understanding for
those who struggle like he once did. He finished by thanking his family and the
community for not giving up on him.
Thank you to the more than 200 guests, volunteers and supporters who made our
inaugural Shelter from the Storm breakfast a success! For information on how you
can join the 18 individuals who launched the Shelter From the Storm Society, call
Sandy Isham at 775.322.7143. Look for our exclusive Society Member event this
Spring.
If you missed it, you can see videos from the Shelter from the Storm event at
www.voa-ncnn.org, click Tours and Events link.
Thanks to you, the families and individuals living in our shelters
were uplifted this Christmas. On this most celebrated holiday, you
gave these children the gift of a universal childhood experience:
eager anticipation rewarded with lovingly wrapped gifts under
the tree. You gave their parents the relief of knowing that their
babies would not go without this year. These gifts, above all, are
the ones these families will remember for years to come.
Thank you for loving our guests as if they were your own.
“Christmas has always been a struggle,” said Deanne, a young
mother living at the Family Shelter with her two young sons. “Living
in a motel, I tried to make Christmas special, but it was so hard. But
this year, we were truly blessed. My boys’ eyes lit up when they saw
those presents under the tree. Just beautiful. Thank you for helping
me make this Christmas more than I could have hoped for.”
You Brightened the Holidays For Homeless Families!
Thank You!
Making The Resource Center a Friendly Place
Volunteers of America’s Resource Center is a bustling place
offering computers, phones, mail and information on social
services to hundreds of people daily. Thanks to amazing people
like Helen Mayotte, it is also a friendly place. There Helen answers
phones, helps distribute mail and most importantly, greets the
clients. “She’s a sweetheart,” exclaims Vern, a client at the Resource
Center.
“Helen helps me with my kids when I come in to use the
computer,” smiles Blanca, a single mother utilizing the Resource
Center to look for a job.
Share the Love
Each Valentine’s Day, the average American spends about $128
buying gifts and sweets for their special someone. This year,
instead of buying yet another box of chocolates, or fighting
the crowds at a chic restaurant, Share the Love through our
new online giving campaign. When you give through Share the
Love your sweetheart will receive a Valentine, handmade by a
Volunteers of America resident. Plus, you can publicly share your
sentiments to your Valentine on the Share the Love wall.
There are several donation levels offered, it’s simple, convenient,
and only takes a few minutes. Best of all, you get to make
someone’s Valentine’s Day sweeter by honoring them with a gift
that is unique, heartfelt and caring. They will be thrilled to be
your Valentine. Visit voa-ncnn.org to learn more.
Helen’s favorite part of volunteering at the Volunteers of America?
“The clients!” When Helen greets first-time visitors, some are
surprised by her kindness. “I listen to their stories, and they know
they have a friend.”
Thanks to our dedicated supporters, community partners, and
volunteers like Helen, 7,700 Washoe County residents have the
tools to change their lives. For more information on volunteering
or supporting Volunteers of America, please talk to Sandy Isham
at 775-322-7143 or [email protected].
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
1900 Point West Way, Suite 270
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 442-3691 | [email protected]
volunteersofamerica-ncnn.org
facebook.com/voanonv
PAID
Sacramento, CA
Permit No. 1932
Finding a New Path
In September 2009, “Ken” found himself in a
desperate situation; just months before his
retirement, he was laid off. At the age of 61,
he had no income, savings or resources. Ken
needed a safe place to stay until his Social
Security benefits kicked in. With nowhere else to
go, he checked into the Volunteers of America
Men’s Shelter.
before, and never thought it could happen to
someone like him.
Collaborating with his case manager, Roy,
Ken worked hard to find a job, pursuing every
lead that came his way, but still couldn’t find
employment. As it turned out, no one wanted to
hire a 61 year old. He had never been homeless
Today, Ken is thrilled to live in an apartment he
is proud of, and can afford. Ken is thankful for
a community that was there to help when he
needed it most.
Finally, Ken was connected with a program that
provided 12-months of rental assistance, giving
him a breather while he found a job. Thank you
for giving Ken a safe place and the time to find a
new path to his goal.
NV Advisory Board
Sandra Bountis
Nancy Brown
Nancy Cashell
Pamela Culbertson
Paula Dermody
Kerri Garcia
Sheila Leslie
William Macauley, PhD
Debbie McCarthy
Roger Riffle
David Ruhl
Sue Sadler
Right Reverend Gene Savoy
Tammy Sisson