VCEH Update
From the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness
February 2, 2009
In This Issue
VCEH New Program Initiative
Get Involved in Policy Change
Get Involved in Events & Community Outreach
Join Our Mailing List!
January 27 Forum Presentations
VCEH Seeking Organizational and Individual Members
Join Today

Why become a member?:
1. VCEH is a coalition.  We know we can end homelessness but we can not do it without the dedication and expertise of those across Virginia. 

2. There will be numerous opportunities to help set the vision for ending
homelessness in Virginia.

3. You'll be invited to participate in the development of a report on
progress being made in ending family homelessness.  

4. You'll be invited to special events that are only for members.

5. You will have someone to advocate for you and with you with the Virginia
General Assembly on policy change that assist your local efforts.

6. You will be invited to set the legislative agenda for next year and future years.

7. You will benefit from information, trainings, and workshops that VCEH
sponsors.

8. You will be invited to join committees and conversations to be involved in the statewide strategy to prevent and end homelessness.

9. You will have opportunities to meet your colleagues across Virginia and share your accomplishments and challenges.

10. You will have fun - promise.

Membership is annual and you must renew.

Membership Form
Greetings!

(1) Our Forum on Homelessness held on Tuesday was inspiring and informative and generated thought provoking dialogue.  For those of you who were unable to participate (sorry that we missed some of you due to the weather), see the link to the left to the presentations.  The workshops sparked new ideas and several immediate follow up initiatives; you will be hearing about these soon.

(2) VCEH is pleased to announce a new program initiative focused on ending family homelessness in the Commonwealth of Virginia and funded by the Freddie Mac Foundation.  Please consider becoming a member and participating in this initiative.

(3) VCEH invites participants to our VCEH Policy Committee and VCEH Special Events & Community Outreach Committee. To end homelessness, we must work together so please consider joining.  See below for details.

As always, please let me know what support VCEH can provide you in your work to prevent and end homelessness.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Gilberti Chamberlain
Executive Director
Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness

POB 6613, Arlington, VA  22206
(804) 368-1642, [email protected]
www.vceh.org
VCEH New Program Initiative; Helping Virginia Prevent and End Homelessness Among Families

The Board of Directors of the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH) is proud to announce a new program initiative, funded by the Freddie Mac Foundation, which will provide a tool to encourage increased investments in preventing and ending homelessness among families in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

VCEH will develop a report on progress across the Commonwealth in ending homelessness among families.  The report will include recommendations for change in both practice and policy and will be based on the accomplishments and challenges of local communities.    Read More...
VCEH Policy Committee Call - Monday Feb 9, 11:00 am
VA State Capitol
RSVP by February 6 (by going to our website and the Upcoming Events link on the righthand side.)

We invite you to participate in the VCEH Policy Committee.  Our short-term goal is to continue advocacy for the creation of a state rental assistance program.  Future activities include providing input into VCEH's legislative agenda, influencing the Gubernatorial candidates, and additional activities designed to build political will to prevent and end homelessness in Virginia.

Plan to join this call to determine immediate and long term next steps to influence policy related to preventing and ending homelessness.

Background on the Rental Assistance Program 
VCEH Special Events & Community Outreach Committee
Conference Call Wednesday February 19, 1:00 pm
Anniversary We must increase awareness of the causes of and solutions to homelessness and we invite you to participate by joining the Special Events & Community Outreach Committee.  This year is VCEH's 25th Anniversary, and to celebrate, we'd like to plan an event to reflect upon homelessness in Virginia - where we've been and where we need to go.

What kind of event will this be?: We do not yet know. That is why you should join the February 19 Conference Call.

To receive more information and participate in planning this celebration and reflection, please join the Special Events & Community Outreach Committee. 

To RSVP for the call, go to our website or contact Terri Taylor at 434-509-5107 or [email protected] by February 18. 

Also contact Terri if you are unable to participate in the call but are interested in joining the Committee.

Please help us raise attention to solutions to homelessness in Virginia!