The HOPE Project

04/05/2026

Homelessness doesn’t have one face.

It looks like the teenager trying to stay focused in school.
It looks like the single mother holding it together for her child.
It looks like the senior citizen who thought they’d never be here.
It looks like the working adult who clocks in every day… and still can’t afford a place to live.

In the United States, on any given night, more than 650,000 people experience homelessness.

Nearly 1 in 3 are families with children.

And one of the fastest growing populations? Older adults over 55.

Let that sit for a moment. 🥺

Now, this isn’t about “those people.”
This is about "our" neighbors. Our communities. Our systems.

As someone who works closely with families navigating housing instability, I see this daily.

Not just the struggle, but the strength that it takes to keep going.
The resilience. The quiet determination not to give up.

I know first hand, we are all looking for solutions. And the truth is, solutions do exist.

✔️ Affordable housing
✔️ Living wages
✔️ Access to supportive services
✔️ Prevention before crisis

But......

It takes all of us, policy makers, providers, communities, and everyday people, to lean in, not look away.

I believe, when we shift how we see homelessness, we begin to shift how we relieve it.

I want to see those facing this experience, go from survival to stability. From invisibility to being seen.

Just a woman with a Dream!

*image AI generated.

04/03/2026

Every day, good food goes to waste while neighbors in our community go without.

As a Board Member for Northern Virginia Food Rescue, I’m so proud of how we use technology and local agriculture to bridge that gap.

​We aren’t just a food bank; we are a movement of volunteers and donors dedicated to food equity and sustainability. Whether you’ve been a long-time supporter or are hearing about us for the first time, I’d love for you to join us in this mission.

​Your donations keep our rescue heroes on the road and ensure healthy, fresh food gets to the families who need it most.

​Support the mission here: https://www.nova-fr.org/donate

Even though we don’t have apples in the warehouse today, we do have an incredible group from Apple Federal Credit Union! 🍎 Their team is hard at work sorting fresh produce for our partner pantries, packing bags for our backpack program, and helping us take inventory of our shelves. Their energy...

03/08/2026

Supermarkets throw away tons of food every day while people go hungry. France said enough!

France became the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away unsold food. Lawmakers passed the Loi Garot, which requires all grocery stores larger than 400 square meters to donate edible food to charities and food banks instead of sending it to landfills. Before the law, some retailers reportedly poured bleach over discarded products to prevent people from taking them.

The legislation was driven by years of pressure from food banks and anti-waste campaigners who argued that millions of tons of perfectly good food were being destroyed while families across France struggled to eat. Stores that violate the law face fines of up to 10,000 euros per incident.

Since then, Italy and the Czech Republic have introduced similar measures, though none go as far as France's mandatory approach.

11/22/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DD9hsgXR2/

Share and read memories for Mr. Ralph Douglas "Doug" Norwood serviced at Congressional Cemetery.

11/22/2025

On November 20th, my team, Changemakers United, slept out, for the 4th time, with Covenant House Greater Washington. One cold night that opened my heart wide.

Laying there, I kept thinking about the young people who don’t get to go home after this. Their courage. Their strength. Their prayers for safety.

Let’s keep showing up—because every young person deserves warmth, dignity, and a tomorrow filled with hope.



Covenant House Greater Washington DC SLEEP OUT event!

Awareness Brings Action! Action Brings Awareness!

10/19/2025

How amazing. 👏🏿👏🏿

09/19/2025

HERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY for the COMMUNITY to get involved.

Advocating and educating about Food Insecurity of a passion of mine. Being a Board Member of Northern Virginia Food & Rescue keeps me at the table, discussing this issue and finding ways to bring relief to thousands of families right here in my backyard.

HUNGER IS SCARY and for the next month I'll be asking you to send, drop, donate or give to the cause.

Click the link and donate a few dollars today.

Join us next month for a PICKLE BALL game, to raise money for this mission.

Share this opportunity with others.

Thank you so much.

Queenie

Each day, a significant amount of perfectly edible food is unfortunately wasted, even as families within our community face challenges in securing their meals. At Northern Virginia Food Rescue, we are dedicated to addressing this issue. Through our food rescue initiatives, we gather excess food from...