Staff Spotlight: Vicki Wise

May 22, 2025

“Engaging with people and building community motives me.”

Q: How did you get into homeless services as a field of work?

A: I first started in the field in an AmeriCorps position working with families at a local shelter in 2014. I loved the creative nature of the work and the families that I worked with. After obtaining my Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree in 2017, I began a job as an outreach worker and my passion for the field continued to grow.


Q: What’s your job at Homeward and has it evolved since you first joined?

A: I am the Community Engagement Coordinator. I started with Homeward as the Youth Programs Coordinator, focusing on working on programs for homeless youth in the region, aged 18-24. In my current position, I am able to use various aspects of my past experiences working in shelter and outreach, which helps me to understand our homeless services network and connect more deeply with a wide variety of community members.


Q: What are some parts of your job that you enjoy?

A: I love to engage with our partners across the region. I enjoy being able to develop and deliver trainings and events to support the work being done by partners in the field.


Q: Is there anything you wish more people knew or understood about homeless services as a field of work?

A: Homeless services is a complex system that can take time to fully understand. Luckily, I work in training, so I am designing additional trainings to break down this complex system and make it easier for more people to understand and engage in a way that is meaningful for them.


Q: What motivates you?

A: Engaging with people and building community motivates me.

Housing Is the "EpiPen" for Homelessness — But We Need Enough of Them

August 18, 2025
Housing works. We just don’t have enough.

Cookies, Coordination, and a Path to Housing: How This Week’s Case Conferencing Took a Different Turn

By Jen Johnson • July 29, 2025
This past week, case conferencing looked a little different - and the impact was undeniable. As we navigate a year filled with uncertainty and change, our team wanted to try something more intentional and focused. Instead of our usual agenda, we decided to zoom in on the top 8 individuals who have been staying the longest in emergency shelter across our CoC. These are often the most complex cases, where progress can feel slow and housing solutions hard to find. But we believed that by rallying more intentionally around them, we might be able to move the needle.

When the System Comes Together: Supporting a Grandparent Through Crisis

By Jen Johnson • July 28, 2025
Sometimes, it’s the unexpected moments that reveal the strength of a system—and the compassion behind it.

Staff Spotlight: Terri Lawson

July 1, 2025
“I truly enjoy helping people navigate through different circumstances and creating a space for them to be seen and heard.”

Staff Spotlight: Frances Marie Pugh

June 25, 2025
"In every aspect of homeless services, the principal question is always how decisions will impact someone who is currently experiencing homelessness."

Compassion in Action: One MSW Student’s Experience in Homeless Services

By Elizabeth Handwerk • March 18, 2025
In honor of Social Work Month, we're highlighting Homeward's Coalition Support Intern and current MSW student, Ainsley Miller. We asked her about the connections she sees between social work and homeless services.

Homeward Releases Data from Winter Point in Time Count 2025

March 4, 2025
Homeward today released data from the January 2025 Point in Time (PIT) count, which shows that a significant number of individuals and families continue to experience homelessness in the Richmond region. Lack of housing and economic hardship remain persistent challenges and driving factors for the elevated rates of homelessness in Central Virginia. Additionally, it’s important to note that these numbers do not capture other regional residents who are unstably housed or worried about maintaining a roof over their head.

Statement from Homeward on Federal Funding Situation

January 29, 2025
As the designated planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care, our region’s coordinated network of homeless service providers, Homeward works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We have been following recent developments related to federal funding for homeless programs. We are collaborating with local, state, and national partners to assess the implications for the people served by the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care and to ensure that there are no further disruptions to support proven solutions to homelessness in our region. Federal funding from HUD has been critical to our local network’s ability to help thousands of regional residents get on the pathway to a permanent home. This person-centered and compassionate work has tangible impacts in our communities. We will continue to monitor this situation closely, update our partners, and support this important work. To learn more about the vital role of HUD funding and its impact in our region, read this recent blog post .

Richmond Region Receives Over $9.3 Million in Federal Funds to Address Homelessness

January 27, 2025
Amount Includes Over $1.5 Million in New Project Funds

Ways to Help People Experiencing Homelessness This Holiday Season

By Elizabeth Handwerk • December 4, 2024
The holidays are a time of joy, gratitude, and celebration. It is also a time that the reality of homelessness becomes more visible, standing in sharp contrast to the season's twinkling lights and jolly tunes. Many of us are inspired to reflect on our blessings and find ways to support our more vulnerable neighbors, whether that be with our time or our resources. Here are just a few ways you can help this holiday season: