FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Housing Families First Achieves $4.4 Million Opening Doors for Families Capital Campaign Fundraising Goal
With major renovations almost finished, the organization will now be able to serve 300 additional Richmond-area family members experiencing homelessness annually
RICHMOND, Va. – Housing Families First has announced that it has completed its Opening Doors for Families capital campaign to raise $4.4 million, which will allow the organization to greatly expand its services and facilities for families experiencing homelessness in the Richmond region.

The campaign, which began in November 2018, set a timeline to raise all of the funds by the end of 2022. Thanks to an unprecedented groundswell of financial support from hundreds of individuals and groups, the organization hit its mark almost four months ahead of schedule.

"To say we are excited to have completed this campaign goal is an understatement," said Housing Families First executive director Beth Vann-Turnbull. "I am grateful to our amazing supporters for stepping up to help us expand our facilities and programs."

The Opening Doors for Families capital campaign began when Housing Families First received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund in 2018. Since then, more than 300 foundations, individuals, congregations, businesses, and community groups have joined in the fundraising effort.

Now that campaign goals have been reached, Housing Families First will be able to provide:

  • An opportunity for 300 additional people to move into permanent housing each year
  • 10 additional shelter beds in private room settings
  • An additional fully handicapped-accessible shelter bedroom and bathroom
  • Improved family-friendly communal areas and activity areas for children
  • Additional space for volunteer activities and community resources
  • More parking spaces for clients, staff, and volunteers

"Homelessness is a community issue and it takes the community’s support to create actionable solutions that work," said Kelly Evans, president of the organization's board of directors. "To all of the organizations and individuals who made this happen, you were the solution and we are eternally grateful."

"Simply put, this campaign will transform lives," noted Housing Families First board members and community campaign co-chairs Will Melton and Becky McNeer. "Even though our shelter was already the largest in the area for families, there is always room for more improvements so we can help more families, and that is what this campaign accomplished."

Construction on the shelter's renovation began in the midst of fundraising efforts in February 2022 and is almost complete. Canterbury Enterprises is the general contractor for the project and Arnold Design Studio provided architectural design. Viridiant provided owner’s representation services. In addition to the renovation of numerous rooms and public spaces in the shelter, the construction project will also add nearly 4,000 square-feet of new space to the shelter, which is located at 3900 Nine Mile Road in Henrico, VA.

Housing Families First is working on plans for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house event later this fall.
About Housing Families First
Housing Families First gives Richmond-area families facing homelessness the opportunity to build a legacy for their families by providing a path to a permanent home. It carries out this mission through four programs: an emergency shelter for families, rapid re-housing to quickly move families with significant challenges into their own homes, a housing partnership with Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield school systems to help unstably housed students and their families secure permanent housing, and a partnership in the Homeless Connection Line (HCL). Housing Families First is a member of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), a nonprofit organization charged with coordinating Greater Richmond's compassionate response to homelessness. Learn more at housingfamiliesfirst.org
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