[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOMESTRETCH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 10, 2020

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize 
the 30th anniversary of Homestretch, a Falls Church organization 
dedicated to empowering homeless families in Northern Virginia to 
secure permanent housing and to attain the knowledge, skills and hope 
they need to achieve lasting economic self-sufficient.
  Homestretch has assisted substantially in the efforts of Fairfax 
County and the City of Falls Church to end homelessness by providing 
housing and comprehensive services to over 1,000 homeless families with 
over 3,000 homeless children since its inception in 1990.
  The organization contributes to the goals of One Fairfax by equipping 
families to escape homelessness and poverty permanently through 
programs that help them acquire skills and education, reduce debt and 
repair credit, enter lucrative career paths and restore their health.
  Furthermore, Homestretch significantly contributes to the economic 
empowerment of homeless parents with children in Northern Virginia by 
launching them into such careers as nurses, chefs, teachers, 
accountants, realtors, dental assistants, pastors, commercial drivers, 
social workers, business analysts, pharmacy techs, master plumbers, 
restauranteurs, and auto mechanics.
  In addition to its wide array of services for homeless families, 
Homestretch also provides quality early education for homeless and low-
income children through its licensed preschool, Kidstretch, and ensures 
the educational success for youth in their program through its 
dedicated collaboration with the Fairfax County and Falls Church City 
Schools.
  Homestretch has achieved unparalleled success in equipping homeless 
families to secure and maintain long term employment and permanent 
housing, with 90 percent families completing the program by moving into 
permanent housing that they can afford on income they earn; and with 95 
percent of its graduates never returning to homelessness.
  The organization enjoys deep community support with over 800 
volunteers over 1,400 donors each year and demonstrates that dramatic 
transformation of lives is possible, given the right structure, support 
and opportunity.
  I commend Homestretch's staff on their organization's 30th 
anniversary, I am sincerely grateful for their tireless efforts to 
improve the lives of many of Northern Virginia's most vulnerable 
families and for giving them the tools to succeed.

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