[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1371-E1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2009 SHELTER HOUSE, INC. VOLUNTEER 
                                 AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Shelter House, Inc., and more particularly the contributions that its 
volunteers make in service to our community. Shelter House and its 
outstanding volunteers serve Northern Virginia by coming to the aid of 
some of those most in need of support and assistance. Volunteers are 
critical in helping Shelter House achieve its mission of breaking the 
cycle of homelessness by providing crisis intervention, temporary 
housing, training, counseling, and programs to promote self 
sufficiency.
  Shelter House is a community-based, non-profit organization. It was 
formed in 1981 when several ecumenical groups came together to better 
serve low-income individuals and families. Shelter House operates two 
shelters, the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter and the Patrick Henry 
Family Shelter, which provide temporary housing for families in our 
community who find themselves homeless. In addition, Shelter House 
offers transitional housing services throughout Fairfax County. As part 
of the effort to stop the cycle of homelessness, the services provided 
by Shelter House continue even after individuals enter permanent 
housing.
  Individuals, organizations, and businesses dedicate their time, 
money, and wherewithal to help Shelter House succeed in its efforts to 
end homelessness in Fairfax County. These relationships are critical 
assets to Shelter House and a leading cause for its successes. Shelter 
House has recognized the specific contributions from its partners and 
volunteers and named the following recipients of its 2009 Volunteer 
Awards: Ending Homelessness Award: Lord of Life Lutheran Church; Youth 
Volunteer Award: Simrun Soni; Unsung Hero Award: Mary Joyce; Special 
Events Award: Jack and Jill of Northern Virginia; Friend of Shelter 
House Kids Award for the Patrick Henry Family Shelter: Ira Kirschbaum; 
Friend of Shelter House Kids Award for the Katherine K. Hanley Family 
Shelter: Ron Koch; Community Partner Award for the Patrick Henry Family 
Shelter: Interior Redesign Industry Specialists, National Capitol Area; 
Community Partner Award for the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter: 
Clifton Community Women's Club; and Community Champion Awards: Miller 
and Smith; Junior League of Northern Virginia and Capital One.
  The outstanding efforts of the above-mentioned individuals and 
organizations merit special recognition, but one must acknowledge the 
impact of all Shelter House volunteers who work to provide secure and 
structured environments for families and connect them with the 
supportive services they require. These volunteers help make Shelter 
House one of the most effective organizations in the battle to end 
homelessness by empowering families to reach their full potential.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our 
gratitude for the efforts of these volunteers and their colleagues at 
Shelter House. The selfless commitment of these individuals provides 
enumerable benefits to Northern Virginia as a community as well as 
life-changing services to the individuals in need.
    

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