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Welcome …
Friends has worked in Loudoun County since 1955. For over 50 years our guiding principle has been to foster relationships that support recovery from mental illnesses. Because of our stick-to-itiveness, hundreds of Loudoun residents disabled by mental illnesses are living independently today. Friends is an all volunteer non-profit organization that assists Loudoun County residents with chronic mental illnesses live independent lives. We provide direct service programming to prevent homelessness as well as educational and awareness initiatives designed to foster mental health and to eliminate discrimination and misinformation about mental illnesses.
Won't you join us?
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Priced Out of Housing in Loudoun
People disabled by mental illnesses are priced out of housing in Loudoun County. The average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in Loudoun County is $1,050 per month. If you are disabled and can’t work and earn money, it will take 160% of your monthly $674 SSI allotment just to keep a roof over your head.
Imagine, if you will, how you would pay for food, clothing, medicines or transportation. It can’t be done!!
Through a 2009—2010 CSBG Grant entitled Limited Rental and Utility Assistance Program for Individuals With Disabilities, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health and the ARC of Loudoun formed a collaborative partnership to help prevent eviction and homelessness among people living in poverty in Loudoun County.
For eligibility criteria, who to contact for help and to read the full press release, please click, More Information Across the United States in 2008, people with disabilities with the lowest incomes faced an extreme housing affordability crisis as rents for moderately priced studio and one-bedroom apartments soared above their entire monthly income. This crisis is documented in Priced Out in 2008 — a study of the severe housing affordability problems of people with disabilities who must survive on incomes far below the federal poverty line.
“Living
in and being a member of one’s community requires housing. Decent,
safe, affordable, and accessible housing is the foundation of inclusive
communities. Living in a community leads to education, employment,
relationships, and active participation.” To read Priced Out in 2008: the Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities, click here.
Wounded Warrior Program Addresses Needs of Veterans and Families
Loudoun County has been awarded one of the Commonwealth’s Wounded Warrior grants. In response to the growing need to improve and expand services to our nation’s veterans and service members, the Commonwealth of Virginia established the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) in 2008. It is operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, and the Department of Rehabilitative Services.
The VWWP supports the following persons on their road to recovery from the effects of stress‐related injuries (such as post traumatic stress disorder) or traumatic brain injuries:
- Veterans of any era who are Virginia residents
- Members of the Virginia National Guard not in active federal service
- Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service
- Family members of veterans and service members More information
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Great Odds for a Great Cause! The Accounting and
Consulting Firm of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP of Vienna, VA (formerly
Beers + Cutler) has again donated
four sky box seats with full amenities for the August 11, 2010 game between the
Nationals and Marlins at National Stadium in Washington, DC. Only 250 chances
will be sold.
Julia Buchen and her family, the 2009 raffle winners, had a
terrific time and particularly enjoyed their vantage point for watching the
game. The four sky box seats are located in the National Suite situated just
behind the third base line. They also found the largest HD scoreboard in the
country to be a real plus. ” It
was great...the kids thought it was awesome!
Now they think they should sit in a suite each time we go to a Nats
game!”
Bradley Nicklin, partner with Baker Tilly, is a strong
advocate for mental health services in Loudoun County. He has been a member of
the Friends’ Board of Directors since February 2008 and is still passionate about
raising funds to support Friends’ homeless prevention program, A
Place To Call Home. He never tires of trying to educate people about
the importance of everyone having a roof over their heads. “It is basic
survival. Just imagine a person trying to live on a disability payment of only
$650 per month. You can’t do that in Loudoun County! Friends has a unique
program, A Place To Call Home, that provides rental subsidies to help
prevent homelessness among people disabled by mental illnesses. I’m very
pleased to be part of a corporation that believes in community giving and in
supporting their neighbors in need. It is wonderful to work, both
professionally and as a volunteer, with good people doing good work.”
Click here to buy tickets. |
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There are so many ways you can get involved to end homelessness as well as discrimination against Loudoun residents living with chronic mental illnesses...
More
Upcoming
Events
LIFE ROCKS! BENEFIT CONCERT TO SUPPORT YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION THURSDAY, SEPT. 9, 2010 WWW.CRISISLINK.ORG Click here for details.
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