Mission:  To reduce homelessness in the region and to better serve those who are homeless

Resources Available in Northern Shenandoah Valley Area

Emergency Shelters

Domestic Violence Shelters:

Choices – Luray – (540) 743-4414

Harmony Place – Front Royal – (540) 635-9062

Also serves local homeless women & children on emergency basis

Laurel Center – Winchester – (540) 667-6160

Response – Woodstock – (540) 459-5161

Shelters for Men

House of Hope – 724 Warren Avenue, Front Royal – (540) 635-2466

Winchester Union Rescue Union – 435 N. Cameron St, Winchester  - (540) 667-5937.

St. Stephens CME – 424 Chase Street, Winchester – (540) 662-2777

Shelters for Men, Women and Children

Salvation Army – 300 Ft. Collier Rd, Winchester – (540) 450-1555

Intake at 4:00 pm  Alcohol & Drug Screening at Intake

Winter Thermal Shelter

WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter) provides a warm, safe place to stay in an area church from 7 pm – 7 am during the winter season.  Supper, snacks, breakfast, and a bag lunch are included.  Must be 18 or older.  You may pick up the schedule and information at C-CAP, 112 S. Kent Street, Winchester.

Transitional Housing

Community Transitional Housing Program – Front Royal – (540) 635-5082 – Referrals must come from shelter program

Harmony Place Transitional Housing – Front Royal – (540) 635-9194 Transitional housing with supportive services for women and children.  Priority given to victims of domestic violence.  Income and services commitments required.

New Eve Ministries – Winchester – (540) 450-0775  Transitional housing for pregnant women age 18 and older (can have other children up to age 5) Open to an expectant mother from any locality

Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter – Maurertown – (540) 436-3202  Priority given to residents of Shenandoah County

Showers

Winchester Union Rescue Mission, 435 N. Cameron Street, Winchester (540) 667-5937

Tuesday – Friday 10:30 am – 11:00 am MEN ONLY

Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Road, Winchester  (540) 450-1555

Saturday  10:00 am – 10:30 am    MEN/WOMEN/CHILDREN

Soup Kitchens – Winchester

Mondays 6 pm Braddock Street United Methodist Church 115 Wolfe St.  - (540) 667-3366

Wednesdays 4:30 pm Knights of Columbus Hall, 519 S. Cameron Street   – (540) 662-5545

Thursdays 5:30 pm Market Street United Methodist Church, 131 S. Cameron – (540) 662-6709

Saturdays 11:30 -1:30 First Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Loudoun Street – (540) 662-3824

Mon.,Wed.,Thur.  11-1pm   Living Faith , Cameron Street - (540) 665-2335

2^nd & 4^th Fridays    12:00 Centenary Church, 204 S. Cameron Street  -  (540) 662-9067

2^nd  & 4^th Monday 4:30-6pm Emmanuel United Meth. Church, off Rt 11, Stephenson  -  (540) 662-1269

Last Wed 5:30-7pm Trinity Lutheran Church, 810 Fairfax Pike, Stephens City   –  (540) 869-4019

Meals Daily  7am-8am, 12pm-12:45pm, 5pm-6pm   Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Rd – (540) 662-4777

Soup Kitchens – Warren County

Tuesday 5pm-6pm Calvary Episcopal Church, N. 2^nd St behind church – (540) 635-2763

Wednesday 5pm-6pm St. John’s Catholic Church, 131 West Main Street – (540) 645-3780

Thursday 5pm-6pm Presbyterian Church, My Brothers Table,115 Luray, Virginia – (540) 735-3894

Mon – Friday 11am-1pm E. Wilson Morrison Elementary – Children and Adults  Free Summer Lunch Program during school weeks.

Food Pantries – City of Winchester and Frederick County

Braddock Street United Methodist Church, 115 Wolfe Street (540) 667-3366  As needed, call for details

C-Cap, 201 Kent Street, (540) 662-4318 Dist. Mon-Thurs 9:30am to 3:30 pm   Food for homeless daily

Centenary United Church of Christ, 202 S. Cameron Street (540) 662-9067  Friday 1pm to 2pm after soup kitchen meal

Celebration Fellowship, 16 N. Braddock Street, (540) 662-4473

1^st & 3^rd Saturdays 9am to 12pm

Church of Christ Mountain View, 1530 Narrow Lane (Kernstown) (540) 869-2244  Wednesday 6:30 am

Highland Memorial Presbyterian Church, 446 Highland Avenue (540) 662-0809  Distribution every Tuesday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Hope Again, 16 S. Braddock Street, (540) 667-8017  1^st three Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm

Lord Fairfax Area Food Bank   (540) 665-0770

Salvation Army, 300 Ft. Collier Road (540) 662-4777 Distribution Monday through Friday monthly or case basis

St. Stephen CME Church, 202 Maple Street, (540) 665-5244 Once a month, every 3^rd Friday, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

St. Paul’s Food Pantry, 1527 Senseny Road, (540) 667-8110

Distributing 1^st Sunday of month, 1 pm – 3 pm

Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1508 Valley Avenue, (540) 665-0527

Call for appointment

Victory Church, 2870 Middle Road, (540) 667-9400  Wednesday, 1 pm – 2 pm

Winchester Church of God, 2080 N. Frederick Pike, (540) 667-8017

Third Thursday 1:00 pm

Food Pantries – Stephen’s City

Stephens City Mennonite Church, 5540 Valley Pike, (540) 869-5037

Emergency basis only

Greenway Spirit & Word Fellowship, 1275 Tasker Road, (540) 868-9110

3^rd Wednesday, 9 am – 11 am

Stephens City United Methodist Church, 5291 Main Street, (540) 869-2348

Tues 12 pm – 3 pm, 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Food Pantry – Clearbrook

Welltown United Methodist Church, 1444 Welltown Road (540) 665-0433

Dist. Each Thursday 6 pm – 8 pm

Food Pantries – Clarke County

Women of Duncan Memorial, 219 E. Main Street, (540) 955-3700

3^rd or 4^th Friday of the month, by appointment only

Fish of Clarke County Pantry, P.O. Box 1154, Berryville  Bus. (540) 955-1823

Emerg. (540) 837-1651, Mon. through Fri. 9 am – 5 pm

Christ Episcopal Church, 809 Bishop Mead Road (540) 837-1112

1^st Sat 9 am – 11 am, Tues through Fri 8:30 am – 12 pm

Food Pantries – Warren County

C-Cap, 316 N. Royal Avenue,  (540) 636-2448

Mon through Fri 9 am – 12 pm

Compassion House/The Rock, 1602 Strasburg Rd,   (540) 363-6369

1^st and 3^rd Mondays 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

Dynamic Life, 1600 John Marshall Highway, (540) 636-9595

Thursday 3 pm – 4 pm

Front Royal Church of Christ, 140 W. 15^th Street, (540) 635-2613

Call for appointment

Loving Arms Food Panty “Loaves and Fishes”, 208 John Rice Road (540) 622-2479

Wed 5 pm – 7 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am – 2 pm

Riverton United Methodist Church, 55 East Strasburg Road   (540) 635-3878

Thursdays. 6 pm – 8 pm

Salvation Army Food Pantry, 357 Cloud Street   (540) 635-4020

Mon through Thursday 9 am – 3:30 pm;  Friday 9 am. – 2:30 pm

Food Pantries – Shenandoah County

Bread of Life, 156 Muhlenberg St., Woodstock  (540) 459-4419, (540) 459-4144

3^rd Tues and Thurs, 1 pm – 4 pm

Columbia Furnace Church of the Brethren, 20910 Sneed Rd, Edinburg,  (540) 459-1632

4^th Saturday, 8:45 am – 11:00 am

Compassion Cupboard, 533 Burgess St., Strasburg, (540) 465-2393, (540) 465-5797

3^rd Tues 10 am – 4 pm

Rock Worship Center, Compassion House, 1602 Strasburg Rd, Strasburg (540) 325-4372

1^st and 3^rd Mon, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Loaves and Fishes, 9320 Congress Street, New Market   (540) 740-8959

3^rd Thurs.  11:00 am – 5:30 pm

Open Door Food Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Mt. Jackson,  (540) 740-8025

3^rd Thurs., 1 pm – 6 pm

Food Pantries – Page County

Page One, 42 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4357  Mon and Tues, 9 am – 11:30 am

Departments of Social Services

City of Winchester, 24 Baker Street, Winchester        (540) 662-3807

Clarke County, 311 E. Main Street, Berryville            (540) 955-3700

Frederick County, 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester     (540) 665-5688

Page County, 215 W. Main St., Suite A, Stanley         (540) 778-1053

Shenandoah County, 600 N. Main Street, Woodstock   (540) 459-6226

Warren County, 912 Warren Avenue, Front Royal      (540) 635-3967

Free Medical and Dental Clinics, Medication Assistance

Free Medical Clinic of the No. Shenandoah Valley, 301 N. Cameron Street, Suite 100 Winchester, (540) 536-1680  By appt,  $5 per office visit, $4 per medication

Shenandoah County Free Medical and Dental Clinic, 781 Spring Parkway, Woodstock, (540) 459-1700 Fee Varies. Medical – Thurs. evening; Dental – Tues. evening

St. Luke’s Community Clinic, 316 N. Royal Avenue, Front Royal  (540) 636-4325  Free to those meeting income eligibility requirements

Dental Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley, at the Free Clinic in Winchester, 301 N. Cameron St, (540) 536-1680, by appt. only.  Provides free dental services for Children with Medicaid/FAMIS/FAMIS Plus.  Fee for adults.

Page Free Clinic, 732 E. Main Street, Luray   (540) 743-4873

Open Fridays 5pm – 8pm

Kool Smiles – 2065 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Winchester (540) 931-0294

Takes Medicaid

Compassion Pharmacy – in Rite-Aid, 507 Amherst Rd., (540) 722-2021

(clients must be seeing a doctor with privileges to Valley Health)

Medication – Patients Assistance Programs – Through your doctor or call your drug  company directly.

Eyeglasses – Lions Club (540) 955-6229

Health Departments

Clarke County (540) 955-1033

Frederick/Winchester (540) 722-3470

Page County – Luray (540) 743-6528

Shenandoah County (540) 459-3733

Warren County (540) 635-315

Crisis Services

911

Concern Hotline

Winchester/Frederick/Clarke (540) 667-0145

Warren County           (540) 635-4357

Page County (540) 743-3733

Shenandoah County (540) 459-4742

Northwestern Community Services Board, offices in Front Royal, Winchester,

Woodstock and Luray                        (540) 636-4250

VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans  1-877-424-3838

National Suicide Hotline     (800) 784-2433

Legal Assistance

Blue Ridge Legal Services, 303 S. Loudoun St., Suite D, Winchester  (540) 662-5021

Services for Veterans

VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans   1-877-424-3838

VA Domiciliary – Homeless, Substance Abuse, PTSD, Work Program

510 Butler Ave., Martinsburg, WV (304) 263-0811 ext 4596, Scott Wagaman

WV Division of Veterans Affairs – Service Officer (301) 538-2839,  Carol Hefner

Northwestern Community Services – Wounded Warrior Program

209 Criser Rd., Front Royal (540) 636-4250

Virginia Employment Commission – Job assistance for Veterans

(540) 722-3415  Mike Barnes

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing – (703) 626-9027  Robert

Flynn

American Legion – Veterans and families. Funds for expenses (apply in writing)

Post 21, 1730 Berryville Pike, Winchester (540) 662-9501

Post 41, 20A S. Church St., Berryville   HYPERLINK “mailto:post41@comcast.net” post41@comcast.net

Post 53, 22 W. 8^th St., Front Royal           (540) 635-5017

Post 77, 157 E. Washington St., Strasburg (540) 465-8167

Post 199, 411 S. Muhlenberg St., Woodstock     (540) 459-2241

Virginia State Department                     (804) 353-6606

VFWs – provide emergency assistance, request in writing

Post 2123, 200 Sulky Dr.,Winchester (540) 868-9992

Post 6044, 542 Eagle Dr., Winchester (540) 667-8519

Post 9760, PO Box 331, Berryville (540) 955-1119

Post 1860, 1847 N. Royal Ave., Front Royal  (540) 635-9024

Post 2447, 100 Veterans Way, Edinburg (540) 984-4355

Post 621, 218 Veterans Lane, Luray (540) 743-3877

Vietnam Veterans of America – emergency monies, needs DD214 and couple weeks to

Verify (540) 514-0663 Ronald Hafey (540) 869-2588 Arnie Eversen

Dept. of Veterans Services – help with Compensation and Pension Claims

11 Water St., Front Royal (540) 635-4201, Geoffrey White/Barbara Bruce

Disabled American Veterans 9 – help with Compensation and Pension Claims  (540) 888-3354, Chance Bazzano (540) 868-1019, Jim Stephens

VA Grants and Per Diem Program – per diem monies for bed/nursing home 510 Butler Ave., Martinsburg, WV   (304) 263-0811 ext.3840, Amy Bayliss

Able Forces – Veteran-owned non-profit, an Ability One/NISH company, defined as a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP).  The Mission of Able Forces is to provide Employment and community-based job preparation training exclusively to our Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans.

Employment – Education

Virginia Employment Commission, 100 Premier Pl., Winchester  (540) 722-3415  Two weekly workshops, resume consulting, mock interviews, job coaching  Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services – must be diagnosed with a disability,

Helps find and keep jobs and increase level of independence

20 Ricketts Drive, Winchester (540) 722-3453

Workforce Job Center, Inc., 7718 Main Street, Middletown   (540) 508-0839

Computer lab, jobs posted weekly, help with resumes, copier, fax,

Workshops twice a month, Serves Winchester, Clarke and Frederick County

Six month residency requirement.

Workforce Job Center, Inc., 1230 E. Main Street, Luray

(540) 743-4320

Same services as Middletown office

First Step Interfaith Alliance, 2333 Roosevelt Blvd., Winchester

(540) 662-3300

Proactive training, resources and mentoring

GED – Dowell J. Howard Center – Winchester – (540) 662-8997

Literacy Volunteers – Shenandoah County  (540) 459-2446

Literacy Volunteers – Winchester, Frederick, Clarke  (540) 536-1648

Resources for those with Disabilities

Access Independence, services for those with disabilities,

324 Hope Drive, Winchester         (540) 662-4452

AIDS Response Effort (ARE), services for those with HIV/AIDS

333 W. Cork Street, #740, Winchester (540) 536-5290

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services – helps find and keep jobs and increase  Level of independence, 20 Ricketts Drive, Winchester - (540) 722-3453

Northwestern Community Services, mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation,

Children’s services

209 W. Criser Rd, Front Royal – (540) 636-4250

158 Front Royal Pike, Winchester – (540) 667-8888

441 N. Main Street, Woodstock – (540) 459-5180

23 W. Main Street, Luray – (540) 743-4548

Social Security Administration 1-866-331-2320 (press 0 for Winchester)

Housing Assistance Programs

The Salvation Army – HIP Program (Homeless Intervention Program) assists with first month’s rent and deposit for those who have been evicted, have received eviction notices or are homeless. Once in a lifetime assistance.  Must meet HUD guidelines for low income.  Serves Clarke County, City of Winchester, Frederick County, Warren County and Shenandoah County – (540) 662-4777 Pat Purtlebaugh

Mercy House – HIP Program (Homeless Intervention Program) assists with first month’s rent and deposit for those who have been evicted, have received eviction notices or are homeless.  Must meet guidelines for low income.  Once in a lifetime assistance.  Serves Page County.   (540) 432-1812

Northwestern Community Services – Supportive Housing Program.  Provides supportive services for homeless individuals with disabilities of mental illness, substance abuse or HIV/AIDS and homeless families with dependent children.  Must meet HUD guidelines for very low income.  Funds may be available for first month’s rent for qualifying clients.  Call (540) 665-8900, extension 1 or 1217.

Harmony Place – Front Royal – (540) 635-9194  Rapid re-housing/transition in place services until June 30, 2012.  Assistance with rent, security deposit, utility arrears, and utility deposit expenses related to moving into new permanent housing.  This program is for homeless women and children in Warren County.

Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter (Homeless Prevention Program) provides assistance with rent and deposits through a low interest loan.  For residents of Shenandoah County only.  (540) 436-3202

Habitat for Humanity, Winchester (540) 662-7066

Section 8 – Office for Housing and Neighborhood Development – Clarke and Frederick

Counties and the City of Winchester – (540) 535-2886

Section 8 – Shenandoah County DSS – Shenandoah, Page & Warren  (540) 459-6226

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing (540) 877-1252.  Help veterans obtain grants from the Veterans Affaisrs SAH Office for those who are 100% service connected disabled and  have contacted with local builders, financial management companies and others that can build your medically custom home to have your INDEPENDENCE returned.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Northwestern Community Services

209 W. Criser Road, Front Royal (540) 636-4250

158 Front Royal Pike, Winchester (540) 667-8888

441 N. Main Street, Woodstock (540) 459-5180

23 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4548

Alcoholics Anonymous/Al Anon/Alateen (540) 667-0322

Addiction Helpline (540) 559-9503

Edgehill Recovery Retreat, 315 Cork St., Winchester (540) 772-8865

Lord Fairfax House, 512 S. Braddock St., Winchester (540) 662-8877

Isaiah 58 Project, 437 Highland St., Winchester (540) 662-2336

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Winchester (540) 533-1832

Celebrate Recovery, Winchester of God

2080 N. Frederick Pike, Winchester (540) 667-8017

NA/AA Meetings      (540) 667-0322   or (800) 835-6130

If you have children

Healthy Families

301 N. Cameron St., Winchester (540) 536-1660

295 Front Royal Pike, Winchester (540) 536-4113

294 E. Main, Stanley (540) 667-0322 or (800) 835-6130

Front Royal (540) 636-0539

Head Start

Frederick, Winchester, Clarke (540) 869-1558

Page (540) 652-1274

Shenandoah (540) 459-2439

Warren (540) 948-3916

Services for Homeless Children through McKinney-Vento Act

Clarke County Public Schools Lisa Floyd (540) 757-547-0153  x170

Frederick County Public Schools Mitch Peeling (540) 662-3888  x88145

Page County Public Schools John Van Wyck (540) 843-2822

Shenandoah County Public Schools   Robert Belyea (540) 459-6716

Warren County Public Schools   Michael Hirsch (540) 635-2725

Winchester Public Schools Natalie Gerometta (540) 667-4258  x 65120

Pregnancy

ABBA – Pregnancy Center         (540) 722-4944

See New Eve Ministries under Transitional Housing

Clothing, food, financial assistance

C-CAP

12 S. Kent Street, Winchester (540) 662-4318

115-117 Luray Ave., Front Royal (540) 636-2448

Salvation Army

300 Ft. Collier Road, Winchester (540) 662-4777

357 Cloud St., Front Royal (540) 635-4020

Page One

42 W. Main Street, Luray (540) 743-4357

600 Comer Lane, Shenandoah           (540) 652-8780

Mount Jackson Transient Fund

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church (540) 477-2421

Edinburg Transient Fund (540) 984-9260

Fish, Clarke County (540) 955-1823

Second Chance Saturday (540) 662-3300

(Grace Community Church)

Budgeting and Financial Services

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of NOVA (800) 747-4222

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service

Clarke (540) 955-5164

Frederick/Winchester (540) 955-5164

Page           (540) 748-5694

Shenandoah (540) 459-6140

Warren (540) 635-4549

Transportation

Logisticare (Medicaid)         (866) 386-8331

Winchester Transit (540) 667-1815

Para-transit (disabilities) (540) 667-1815

Front Royal Area Transit (540) 635-5788

Page County Transit (800) 305-0077

Northwestern Community Services sponsors this resource booklet.

For changes and additions, please contact Nickie Wheeler at (540) 636-2931 ext 2302

December 2011

November 3, 2011

A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Today, I would like to introduce VA for Vets, an outstanding new program to help our Veterans find appropriate careers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Set to launch on November 11, Veterans Day, VA for Vets takes a high-tech and high-touch approach to recruiting, hiring, retaining, and reintegrating Veterans into the VAworkforce. Aspartofitshigh-techsolution,theprogramoffersstateoftheartonline tools for Veterans as they seek employment or look to further career development

opportunities. The online Career Center includes: a military skills translator that translates military skills into civilian language; a resume builder that tailors Veterans’ resumes so they can more easily compete for open positions in VA; and avatar-based technology that connects deployed Servicemembers back to VA during their operational missions.

The high-touch solution comes in the form of career and reintegration coaches who are readily available to help Veterans and Servicemembers take full advantage of opportunities offered through the Career Center or to ensure a seamless transition into the VA workforce. Three new Coaching Call Centers will be operational in Dumfries, Virginia; Ebensburg, Pennsylvania; and New Orleans, Louisiana, starting October 26.

As Vice-Chair of President Obama’s Veteran Employment Council, I am confident that VA can set the standard for Veterans’ recruitment and career developmentatotherFederalagencies. VAforVetsispartofalargerstrategicinitiative led by the newly established Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO) within the Office of Human Resources and Administration. I have set a goal for VA to increase its Veteran workforce from 30 percent to 40 percent, and VESO will be at the forefront of that effort, working with all offices and administrations, to ensure we achieve our goals.

The VA for Vets program represents a commitment to transforming the way we hire and retain our Veterans. This program requires the personal commitment of all VA employees so we can uphold our sacred trust and moral obligation to care for those Mwho have borne the battle.”

- Eric K. Shinseki

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a partnership with Milicruit.com to sponsor a nationwide, virtual online job fair on Nov. 10, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST.

“As we work to help Veterans find good paying jobs, it is important that we take advantage of online resources that connect our Veterans with employers around the Nation who want to hire these highly qualified and experienced men and women,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

To date, more than 60 military-friendly national employers from both the private and federal sectors and more than 36,000 Veterans have registered to participate in the all day online event.

Veterans can pre-register at http://www.veteranscareerfair.com for this event. On the day of the event, Veterans can log in and visit employer booths, view job openings, apply for jobs, watch employer videos and presentations, chat live with recruiters, and complete on-the-spot video interviews.

They can also interact with VetSuccess counselors to learn more about VA benefits, as well as additional resources and tools for transitioning Servicemembers and family members regarding training, employment, and independent living.

VA’s VetSuccess.gov website offers services by providing access to a job board of more than 8 million job openings, as well as tools for Veterans to build or upload resumes and for employers to search for Veterans who match their recruiting needs.

“Using technology allows us to connect excellent Veteran job seekers with businesses in need of the leadership, discipline, skills, and training that Veterans bring to the workplace,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey.

The job fair not only connects employers with Veterans who are a match for their staffing needs, but also allows Veterans to visit the VA’s virtual help desk to obtain information about VA benefits.

Benefits include the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess program, which provides job training and placement skills for transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans.

For more information on the job fair go to http://www.va.gov and click on VA’s Facebook site or go to http://www.vetsuccess.gov.

Veterans filing claims may file online through eBenefits, a joint project between the Department of Defense and VA, at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits- portal/ebenefits.portal. They can check the status of their claim with a Premium account, and use a growing number of online services.

Veterans may enroll in eBenefits and obtain a Premium account in-person or online depending on their status. Information on how to register is available on the eBenefits Registration web page at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits- portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_portlet.async=false&_pageLabel=RegistrationOverview

Spc. Douglas J. Green, 23, of Sterling, died Aug. 28 in Kandahar province of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

People could not stop recalling good things on Tuesday night about Douglas J. Green, who grew up in Northern Virginia and was known for caring about his high school and its students and teachers and the community that surrounded it.

He also cared about his country, and shortly after graduation from Potomac Falls High School in Sterling, he joined the Army.

“It’s pretty devastating,” said his aunt, Stacy Dinkel. “Doug was one of the nicest human beings on the face of the Earth. He was an amazing person.”

In the hours after news of his death began to spread, hundreds of people posted remembrances on a Facebook page created in his memory.

“Everybody loved Doug,” said his mother, Suni Erlanger. “Everybody loved him.”

Chad Runfola, who was an assistant principal at Potomac Falls while Green was there, recalled that he “was just so genuinely nice to others.”

He “always communicated a sense of caring for his teachers, his classmates and his school,” Runfola said.

In the eastern Loudoun County community, “this was a very special young man,” said John P. Murray, a Newspaper Association of America executive and Loudoun resident.

“He was a pretty selfless kid,” said David Spage, who was principal at Potomac Falls during Green’s years there. His ethic of service was such that “when he decided he wanted to go serve his country, it wasn’t a surprise.”

His family had tried to dissuade him from enlisting, his mother said. His maternal grandfather, Jay Chabrow, a technology consultant, said he wanted Green to work for him. But, Erlanger said, “he loved his country and nothing was going to stop him.”

Green was “my hero,” Chabrow said.

After enlisting in 2007, Green served a tour in Iraq. He was sent to Afghanistan in April as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Family members said he had played football at Potomac Falls, probably as much out of a sense of obligation to the school as anything else. He was also prominent in drama, and, his mother said, he “played the bad guy” in a school production of “Footloose.”

Many remembered Green for his sense of humor. He was “quite a character,” Spage said. His mother thought that made him something of an atypical soldier. “He was a stand-up comedian,” she said.

Even in difficult times for Green and his unit in Afghanistan, Erlanger said, “he made them all laugh.” In times of peril, she said, Green would assure his fellow soldiers “that everything’s going to be okay.”

Erlanger said her son’s enlistment was to be up before the end of the year. She said he planned to return home and marry his sweetheart, attend college, work for the Secret Service or the CIA and, perhaps, enter politics.

Other survivors include his father, Douglas Green of Sterling, and two sisters.

“You were an awesome dude,” read one comment on the memorial Facebook page. “You always knew how to make me feel better,” read another.

“You impacted so many lives with your goodness, humor, and positive attitude,” read yet another. “You had an inexplicable way of drawing people toward you.”

I would like to share some very positive news on our continuing efforts to fix what’s broken at Arlington National Cemetery.

It was last June when many of us first heard about Arlington’s reliance on paper records and maps, and the systemic disorganization and shameful errors that inevitably resulted. I think all of us were especially shocked and appalled to learn about dozens of instances of misplaced or misidentified remains at the cemetery.

As an American, a Virginian, a member of the Senate and as the proud son of a World War II Marine veteran, I thought it was important to take action to try to correct these problems.

So last August, we announced a unique agreement with the Army. Several of our leading Northern Virginia technology companies assigned their brightest problem-solvers to work with the Army to honestly assess the back office disaster at Arlington, and recommend a responsible path forward.

We already knew that Arlington Cemetery officials were relying on hand-written files, paper maps and 3-by-5 index cards, which was an entirely inadequate system for responsibly tracking the 300,000 military heroes buried at Arlington and the 6,000 military funerals conducted there every year.

Senator Warner, with members of NVTC and representatives from Arlington National Cemetery,

announce the release of an assessment of problems at the Cemetery.

As a result of this assessment [pdf], we now know there were other disappointing management issues at the cemetery:

• Arlington relied on a single fax machine and an inadequate telephone system, which created a difficult and frustrating bottleneck for thousands of families trying to send death certificates, service records, letters of confirmation and other important documents
• This continued reliance on pencil and paper records required families to produce duplicate documentation that in many cases already existed in the Pentagon or VA computer systems – but for some reason these computer networks were not linked.
• Funeral urns containing the remains of our nation’s military heroes frequently were stored on top of file cabinets, in closets and on spare desks at Arlington for extended periods of time, labeled with a temporary, hand-written sticker, awaiting the arrival of the appropriate funeral and burial paperwork.
• Arlington grave markers frequently arrived with misspelled names or other inaccurate information because hand-written records were illegible or incorrect.

Now, it is clear these management issues and workflow challenges existed at Arlington National Cemetery for years, even decades — and they certainly won’t be solved overnight.

But this business plan prepared by members of the Northern Virginia Technology Council provides the Army with a clear roadmap to bring Arlington National Cemetery into the 21st Century digital age.

If implemented correctly, these recommendations will honor the sacrifice of those men and women who are buried at Arlington. This business plan also will go a long way towards restoring the faith and the confidence of those families who have entrusted the remains of their loved ones to Arlington.

An assessment of this quality and depth typically would cost a client hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it is important to note that these Virginia companies and NVTC provided this public service for free. I want to publicly thank them for this great example of corporate citizenship.

The Army already has replaced the management team at Arlington, and Army leaders say they have taken preliminary steps to address several of the problems identified in this report.

But let me be clear: my interest in fixing what’s broken at Arlington does not end today. I consider it my responsibility to stay focused on these issues, and to continue to press the Army to follow-up quickly and appropriately, so that we can put this disappointing chapter behind us.

Best,

We bring this film to your attention because OUT ON A LIMB is close to completion, and we could use your support. This can mean forwarding this email to any friends or colleagues you think might be interested, mentioning the film on your website or blog if you have one, letting your network know about us via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or making a monetary contribution to the finishing fund.

Your support of OUT ON A LIMB will bring this documentary that much closer to completion. Then it will get out in the world and can go about its business of making viewers re-examine prosthetics and those who use them.

For more information about OUT ON A LIMB, and to learn how you can support this film (and the perks you’ll receive if you do), visit:

http://www.indiegogo.com/OUT-ON-A-LIMB-Documentary?a=136530&i=emal

If you have questions, please contact Daria Price at: dasha68@gmail.com

About the Producer-Director: DARIA PRICE

Daria Price is an award-winning filmmaker with a diverse background, who works in both documentary and fiction films. She was a field producer and videographer on Canada’s Vision TV documentary series, TWIST OF FAITH, and on HDnet’s World Report documentary, THE SILENT EPIDEMIC: DIABETES IN KIDS, and she has produced, directed, and shot science and tech stories with Elsash-TV for APTN, BBC, and HDnet.

CHARLES TOWN - Frank Woodruff Buckles, renowned locally and across the nation as the last surviving American World War I veteran, passed away Sunday at the age of 110, family spokesman David DeJonge confirmed to The Journal late Sunday night.

Buckles passed away of natural causes around 12:30 a.m. Details for services will be announced later this week, and DeJonge said there is a possibility that Buckles will lie in state, depending on government arrangements.

“We would just like to see the United States honor Mr. Buckles in the best way possible to demonstrate to the entire world true American patriotism,” he said.

Buckles enlisted on Aug. 14, 1917, when he was 16 years old, after fibbing about his age to an Army recruiter.

He served two years overseas during WWI, in England and France. He worked as an ambulance driver, and after Armistice Day he was assigned to a prisoner-of-war escort company to help return prisoners back to Germany.

Buckles returned to the United States in 1920 as a corporal.

FRANK BUCKLES HISTORY CHANNEL FILM

Years later, he was captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of World War II, when he was working as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines. He spent more than three years in Japanese prison camps in Santo Tomas and Los Banos, and this past Wednesday marked 66 years since Buckles’ rescue.

After recovering and returning to the U.S., he met and married his wife, Audrey, in California. They lived in San Francisco for a few years, before they bought Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 and had their daughter in 1955.

The veteran was recognized many times during his long life. One of his most significant awards came from former French President Jacques Chirac in 1999 at the French Embassy in Washington, when Buckles received the French Legion of Honor pin and spoke to Chirac in French.

Buckles met with President George W. Bush and top Pentagon officials in March 2008, and he received the Distinguished West Virginian Award from then-Gov. Joe Manchin in August 2007.

He is survived by his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan, and her husband.

His family asks that donations be made to the National World War One Legacy Project to honor Buckles and the 4,734,991 Americans that he served with during WWI.

The project is managed by the nonprofit Survivor Quest and will educate students about Buckles and WWI through a documentary, a bronze statue and a traveling educational exhibition.

Details can be found at www.frankbuckles.org.

We are asking the Builders to include this in their estimates

b) Also within the garage there is no heat/air vents installed, this is also an additional cost that will have to be covered by you.

The heating/cooling ducts generally run about $350 per line.  Sizing the garage for the number of ducts should be done by qualified HVAC professional.

c) There also is no insulation in the attic area, outer external walls, the garage door area is not sealed for heat or cold – additional cost to veteran.

Insulating the garage should cost around $1/Sq. Ft. to insulate standard package R-13 insulation in the walls and R-38 blown insulation in the attic

2. FIREPLACES – There is no blower installed unless you ask for it to be added (some areas may require this to be added) – additional cost to veteran. Also make sure that the thermostat is not in the line of the blower area as only that part of the house gets heated.

Blowers installed generally run from $250-$325 depending on what is installed

3.  POWER DOORS for HOMES – The installation of the power doors for veterans that require them should be accomplished by a QUALIFIED installer, some builder may say they can do them but they are extremely sensitive item and need to be installed properly.  RECOMMENDATION:  Have the company they are purchased from install them even though an – additional cost to veteran occurs.

I’m not touching the auto door openers, call the company

4.  DOOR HINGES FOR ALL DOORS – Any door within the home area that the veteran will be utilizing needs to be installed with swing away door hinges (Internal & External).

Swing away hinges generally have to be installed after the door is installed with regular hinges, I would budget $25/door – again depends on the number of doors.

5.  WATER SOFTNERS – A few veteran have stated that water in their areas have a smell or discoloration due to chemicals in the ground.  I have found a company that can provide a device that you (additional cost to veteran) but can be added in your builder’s contract.  Check out the site and see for yourself. http://www.scaleblaster.com/Residential.aspx

For the water softener, as we don’t install them I don’t know too much about them but around $675 to install a green softener from the company above.

All items that are listed above can be included in your contract with your Builder, but you have to ask for these additions as they are not part of the ADA requirements in a Specially Adapted Home.

The red areas are estimates received from contractors to give you all an estimate of the additional cost that are not covered, due to these recent changes

The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing held a day of tribute May 27th for our men and women in uniform at Shenandoah University’s Winchester Medical Center Campus.  The day honored local veterans, active duty military, police officers, and firefighters. Organized by the DVCH’s President, John S. Lewandowski and Veterans Outreach Director, Daphne R. Mize, the first annual event was recognized by the Mayor of Winchester as an official day of honoring servicemen and women. Mize explained that the purpose of the event, scheduled right before the Memorial Day weekend, was to “applaud them and salute them”.

We want to let them know we do care.” Lewandowski empathized that the program was to bring awareness to the community. After earlier stating, “Most don’t understand what people go through every day to make sure that each and every one of us is safe.”

At the event groups such as Troops to Teachers, Virginia Wounded Warrior Program and other various clinics and services for veterans were present. Live

The Vet Center’s purpose is to serve veterans in rural areas who have a lack of transportation are incapacitated.

The Center helps veterans by giving them access to a mini health and counseling clinic all located within the bus. Vet Center buses are scattered throughout the fifty states and have helped in emergencies such as the Fort Hood massacre in Texas.

There that day were men and women who shared their miraculous stories about their loved ones’ service. One of which was a story told by the Outreach Coordinator for the Valley Health Wellness Service, Sherry Allen about her father’s military service in War World II straight from his own manuscript written in the Philippines.

John Lewandowski (right) presents Daphe Mize roses for her work in putting together the program to recognize and honor men and women in uniform.

Congressman Wolf’s Constituent Services Staff Assistant, Ann Potocnak, shared her father’s story as a firefighter who was run over by his own fire truck after a car hit the truck causing him to be knocked out of the open cab. The incident would end up crushing his lower legs.  Amazingly, he would recover and serve 15 more years as a firefighter in Arlington County, VA.

Recognized that day was retiring Winchester Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Wright who was awarded a Certification of Excellence to the Winchester Community.  Caught off guard by his award, Wright would state, “It has been a pleasure for me to serve this community. I couldn’t ask for a better life.”

The Vet Center bus provides medical treatment and counseling services to veterans in rural areas.

The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing was established in 2008 by John S. Lewandowski a disabled veteran himself. The organization’s purpose is to provide affordable and accessible housing for disabled veterans throughout

Virginia and the surrounding states.  The DVCH has teamed up with R.L. Seely Homes to build homes for disabled veterans.

brandon@sherandotimes.com

“Remembering & Recognizing our Men and Women in Uniform”

May 27, 2010 – 11:00AM to 2:30PM

WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA (April 26, 2010) – The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing is having our 1^st Annual Northern Shenandoah Community event to honor and to thank our men and women in uniform.  The event is to bring awareness of the challenges they face each and every day for protecting our neighborhoods and our community. The event will be held at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia.  There will be many dignitaries on hand to “Meet & Greet” and local entertainment.

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing: The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing (DVCH) provides a comprehensive program aimed at providing affordable and accessible housing for disabled veterans throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic States, our services are FREE to our veterans…  This is an extremely important initiative as there are so many disabled veterans who qualify for VA housing and other grants, can also obtain permanent financing, among other things, but are not building new accessible homes.  The DVCH we can assist veterans in their efforts to realize a dream of obtaining a new accessible home and becoming INDEPENDENT.

The Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing continues to refine and improved the organization’s veteran outreach and other programs.  We feel it is our duty and obligation to serve the veterans who served our country with pride and honor but returned home with a debilitating injury and are 100% disabled service-connected.  One can imagine what these veterans suffer each and every day.  The DVCH is dedicated to improving the quality of their lives by helping them build or remodel their home so it meets their medical needs.

We all at the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing are working along with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Eric Shinseki’s mandate given in 2009 to end homelessness among veterans and their families.  We ask that you think about the veterans and their family’s for their sacrifices they made for our families for the safety or our Nation and our communities safety. (There are reports of over 131,000 homeless veterans in the United States).

We ask that you think about the sacrifices of our police, fire fighters, rescue personnel and all others in uniform as they all warrant our respect and gratitude for our safety.

You can send your donation to help our men and women in uniform event to:

Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing,

1^st Annual Northern Shenandoah Community Event

147 Duwamish Trail

Winchester, Virginia 22602-1316

If you know a veteran that is homeless or has needs please contact us at 540-877-1252 or send an email to DVCH123@gmail.com.   You can see all the services that the Disabled Veterans Committee on Housing offers can be seen on our website www.DVCHVets.org.