The University of Mary Washington community raised about $5,500 last fall to help provide permanent housing for Fredericksburg-area homeless families. UMW’s efforts, spearheaded by Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Leslie Martin, were part of a statewide initiative to get 740 Virginia families housed in 100 days. Martin asked UMW faculty, staff,  and students to donate to the “Home for the Holidays” campaign of the Central Virginia Housing Coalition (CVHC), which coordinated the Fredericksburg region’s initiative. With the funds it collected from groups like UMW, CVHC placed 58 Fredericksburg-area families in permanent housing in time for the holidays. For each $3,500 raised, CVHC covers a first month’s rent, a security deposit, and utility deposits for one area family. Agencies that work with the homeless, including the Thurman Brisben Center and Hope House, provide services aimed at keeping families in the homes. The money donated by the UMW community helped one … [Read more...]