NRCA TO OUR HOUSE

During its ninth season of operation, 1,046 volunteers from faith-based organizations, businesses and community groups provided 1,590 bed-nights of winter shelter and 4,770 meals for 60 homeless guests (48 male, 12 female).

While sheltered at To Our House, 20 guests obtained employment, and 27 guests moved into permanent housing.

Homelessness looks very different in the New River Valley than in urban areas. The homeless in rural areas might reside in their cars, in the woods or caves. Individuals in our area who find themselves without housing often include ex-offenders, the disabled, those working at low-paying jobs, and those experiencing long-term unemployment. Long waiting lists for limited subsidized housing exacerbate the problem.

NRCA’s To Our House program works in partnership with the local faith community to shelter homeless single men during the winter months. Churches each offer their fellowship halls for one or two weeks as night shelter. Host and support church volunteers transport the homeless men (guests), cook and serve meals, offer fellowship to the men, and sleep at the shelter as church liaisons. To Our House AmeriCorps members and stipend volunteers are on site to support the guests and volunteers.

New River Community Action offers a variety of support services to the guests, including VA CARES for ex-offenders. NRCA also links the To Our House guests with our Homeless and Housing Program to obtain stable housing.