YNN

The holiday season reminds us to give the gift of caring! YNN is proud to sponsor the Volunteers of Americas Your Caring Gifts campaign.

In this profile, we learn how the VOA is providing shelter to families in need.

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“Everyday we'd get in the car and warm up. Get back in the house. We all slept together, in one room, downstairs, not upstairs. No electric upstairs."

They didn't have anywhere to stay as they looked for a new place. With four children, Ernest and Denean had to find somewhere to go, right away.

“The last straw was about a month ago, it was 45 degrees in our house. It was a really cold day, because we have no furnace."

The family came, to the Volunteers of America's Emergency Family Shelter, the Guest House. The shelter helps families get back on their feet, offering them three meals a day, access to a food pantry, laundry room and play room for the kids. There's a case manager on site to help families access services and school buses will pick kids up here to take them to school.

Ernest is a machine operator at a local company, and says this place is very much needed to help families like his.

“It's very helpful. It's better than being on the streets. A lot of people don't have family, or have family, that says, no you can't come here," said Ernest.

Jacquetta Calhoune said that's why this shelter exists. It's only one of two shelters in the county that allows families, mom, dad and kids to all stay together. They also allow families to be here during the day so they can use computers, phones and fax while looking for a new place to live, a job or other services.

“We can only house 12 families, so we know there's more out there than that. What we are able to provide, people are very grateful for. Since June we have been filled to capacity. There is a definite need for our services,” said Calhoune.

Government funds and grants help maintain the shelter, the VOA also depends on donations, from money to toys.

The Smiths are hoping to find out in the next few days whether soon have a new place to call home.

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In this profile, we learn how the VOA is providing shelter to families in need.

"I definitely felt very low before I came here."

Johanna Rodriguez lives paycheck to paycheck. As a working mom, she never expected to be homeless. But she was unable to make rent, and was evicted by her landlord.

"I couldn't pay back what I owed him, plus lawyer fees. He went ahead and processed the eviction notice. The Marshalls came, and I had 72 hours to get out,” said Rodriguez.

Johanna found shelter, safety and support at the VOA's Emergency Family Shelter, The Guest House. Here, the mother of four learned about available resources and that she is not alone.

"Not only is it a shelter, it's like a little community because you get to know, parents, ya know, there's families that come in and out but you get to know the families and you know you're not the only one in this situation."

The staff at the VOA's Guest House is also helping her with resources to find an apartment and help her husband find employment. Johanna is grateful the VOA can provide her and her family the encouragement they need during a difficult time.

Jacquetta Calhoun is the homeless housing director for the Guest House. She says Johanna's story is repeated throughout the community.

"We see single moms with maybe four or five children making sure they stay in school, go to school, be a part of activities in the community. And so we are very compelled, not just by our job, but by our nature to make sure that the kids are living a successful and happy life as much as they can while they are here transitioning into their permanent housing," said Calhoun.

That transition is what's helping Johanna Rodriguez stay positive and have hope for a better future for her and her children.

"Being here now I know there are different areas in Rochester that can help me and other resources that can help me."

This week, YNN's Mary McCombs shares the story of a woman who turned her life around, thanks to the VOA.

"I never have to worry what's going on here, you know, I know that he's safe and cared for," says Shelby DiRoma of Rochester.

23-year-old Shelby DiRoma is a single mom and a full time student. Her one year old son, David, is enrolled in the Early Head Start program. In fact, he has been in the program since he was seven weeks old.

"He had a little bit of a speech delay and they worked with me and sent me a referral. I had him evaluated and I got services and he's doing fine now," says DiRoma.

As a former graduate of the Early Head Start program, and a current employee, Shelby knew she wanted to provide the same environment for her son.

"I love the kids, I love the atmosphere, it's a huge building, lots of area for them to play, the teachers are great," DiRoma says.

Some 300 children attend the center that typically services city school children. The goal of the program is to both prepare children, and reinforce what kids have already learned at school.

"We're getting them ready for school, teaching them social skills, their self help skills, making sure they're ready for the next step," says Stacy Jo Healy, Children's Center Director.

Shelby is not only a single mother and full-time student, she is also takes care of her disabled father. Shelby is grateful that she can rely on a supportive and caring staff at the VOA and she has peace of mind knowing that her son is in good hands.

"He loves it here, this is like his second home. Everybody knows him and everyone is always saying hi, and he's very comfortable here," said DiRoma.

"It's great to be able to see that the children that we have had in the past, have really been successful and to know that we're a part of that, i s really amazing. And then to see them successful and come back and visit us and have their own children here, it feels really good," says Healy.

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John Schiemann said he once had it all, a career, a healthy happy marriage and family. But his life fell apart, due to addiction and John found himself homeless and alone.

He was in and out of several shelters before he turned to the VOA for help.

"I did go to outpatient drug program. I got hooked up with some mental health counseling, seeing a therapist on a consistent basis,” said Schiemann.

John came to the VOA with a plan to stay three to six months and ended up staying for over two years.

"I lost touch with being responsible and accountable in a lot of ways, and with the advocates here, they were very helpful in helping me navigate some of that,” he said.

John has moved into an apartment and continues to use his support system. Jacquetta Calhoun is the director of homeless housing at the VOA. Once people leave the program, Calhoun says follow up is key.

"We follow up with a number of families for six months to make sure that they maintain their placement. We provide food, make sure they can continue to pay their rent,” said Calhoun.

The program boasts that it has a good success rate. The facility provides less than a dozen rooms and does have a wait list.

"So, 11 rooms, does not even begin to touch what the need is but it is also something that is being offered to see how is homeless first, I mean not homeless, is housing first, a good program and as it begins to, I think other organizations will be able to open up more beds and there will be more facilities like that,” said Calhoun.

"I'm very grateful. It's nice. It's quiet. It's peaceful,” said Schiemann.

John says the VOA Your Caring Gifts program has helped put him on the road to recovery and he is determined to move forward in his life, knowing he has a strong support system.

"If you struggle or relapse they don't throw you out, they're willing to work with you, if you're willing to address your problems and make some changes and it was what I needed at that time. So, I was grateful when I moved here. It turned out good for me."