With tears and many memories, New Hope Housing staff said goodbye in November to Mondloch House Family Shelter, where hundreds of families have found “shelter and the tools to build a better life.” The family shelter opened in 1983 to serve 12 families, and expanded in 1991 to serve 18 families. The family shelter, “officially” Mondloch House II, shared the location on Lockheed Boulevard with Mondloch House I, a small shelter for eight adults. Mondloch House Family Shelter provided families with resources for education, employment, a wide range of life skills classes, help in finding housing, and special services and activities for children. New Hope Housing staff and hundreds of volunteers have had the privilege to work with and share the joys of many families as they worked to rebuild their lives and return to stable housing in the community.
The Mondloch House II building will become “The Residences at Mondloch,” 20 affordable efficiencies, with support services, rented to single adults moving out of homelessness. Renovation is expected to begin in March.
Homeless families is south Fairfax County will now be served in a scattered site emergency shelter program using apartments. The program will still provide the same array of services, with the added benefits of privacy and greater independence for each family.
And so, we continue the journey that began in 1983 – we take the “next steps” in helping homeless families. Our new program, named “Next Steps Family Program,” will continue to provide hope and hospitality, dignity and respect, and shelter and tools to build a better life for homeless families in our community.
As a community-based organization, much of our work depends on you, our supporters and partners in the community, to be successful. We invite and encourage you to take the next steps with us! With our new program structure, some of the ways you provide support will change:
- Food donations may be taken to the Eleanor Kennedy Shelter, 9155 Richmond Highway, unless there have been other arrangements made with Martha Faconer, our Director of Operations.
- We cannot take furniture or household goods at the Kennedy Shelter; we will post on our website and Facebook page when such items are needed, and will make arrangements for pick up or delivery.
- Clothing may be donated to Rising Hope United Methodist Church or Groveton Baptist Church. Both congregations maintain clothing closets available free to our residents.
- Volunteer-led activities for families and children will continue as soon as we secure space for group programs. Please keep in contact with Chris Bramante, our Volunteer Coordinator, for future volunteer opportunities.
Though we say farewell to the old family shelter building, we look forward to continuing to help families in need, working together to build a stronger, healthier community for all. Thank you for your continued support and participation in our work!