Kelly has been working with homelessness services for the past 18 years, all of which have been at Homeward. Since graduating from the graduate Religious Studies program at Stanford University, she has worked to help make the world a better place. From 1995 to 2003, Kelly worked in Europe and the former Soviet Union with Habitat for Humanity International and with the Peace Corps. Kelly was in the third group of Peace Corps volunteers living in the Republic of Moldova and she served as a Program Development Manager with Habitat for Humanity and worked particularly with Habitat affiliates in Romania, Armenia, and Northern Ireland. In these communities, Kelly partnered with local residents to improve housing conditions and to build community decision-making efforts. Kelly continues to work with people experiencing homelessness because she knows the value of having a stable place to live. She believes all of our neighbors should have the same platform for their hopes and dreams.

A fun fact about Kelly: Kelly and her family have visited all of the Virginia State Park. She is also conversationally fluent in Romanian and stays in touch with Moldovan and Romanian friends from her time in the Peace Corps. Kelly has received a number of awards for her work in homelessness services throughout her career, including:

2018 Selected to serve on the National Alliance to End Homelessness Leadership Council, composed of homeless coalition leaders from 12 communities across the country

2017 Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year

2013 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award to support our system-change efforts

2012 History Makers Award for Regional Collaboration 

2007 Top 40 under 40

Terri has been working in homelessness services for the past 4 years, spending the most recent 3 at Homeward. Her background of over 20 years in education and youth development with a focus on working with families to provide support and resources through wrap-around services support her work at Homeward. Terri is inspired to support people experiencing homelessness because of the inherent value she finds in service. She believes that no matter where life takes us in our journey, we can always give compassion and support to each other in any circumstance.

A fun fact about Terri: Her family has a house full of animals, including a snake, leopard gecko, hamster, and 2 guinea pigs. She also loves big monster pick-up trucks!

Margot has been working with homelessness services for the past 14 years, all of which have been at Homeward. Her Ph.D. is in applied experimental psychology, where she focused her research on drug and alcohol use and sexual risk-taking. One thing that keeps Margot busy and holds her attention is the fact that homelessness overlaps with so many different issues. She has especially enjoyed some of the work that she’s done on the relationship between homelessness and incarceration. Margot is inspired to support people experiencing homeless ness because she gets to use her math skills to help make the world a better place. Particularly, she is inspired by knowing that Homeward’s work helps people obtain stable housing, which creates opportunities for them to pursue their dreams and share their talents with the world.

A fun fact about Margot: She has lived in Richmond for the past 25 years since falling in love with The Fan while on a visit with a college friend. Before that, she has lived in New York, California, Connecticut, Tennessee, North Carolina (Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and (Greensboro), and London.

Jen has been working in homeless services for the past eight years. Half of those years were centered around domestic violence work and the other half around homelessness specifically. She has a wide range of experience from working directly in a shelter, crisis line advocacy, hospital response, and coordinated entry. Jen is particularly inspired by the collaboration and support within the GRCoC and believes that when we work together, we are doing our best to serve those in our community. 

Fun Fact: Jen loves to travel around the United States and has a goal to visit all 50 states by the time she turns 50 and to visit every National Park! 

Latosha has over 20 years’ experience serving those that experience homelessness.  She's been with Homeward for 2 years.  Her prior work experience includes 9 years as a HMIS data-entry support staff and 9 years managing CoC Program Permanent Supportive Housing projects.  Her belief in helping those in need and giving back to the community inspires Her. In the social service field, she has crossed paths with old classmates, their parents and other relatives and  can relate to their struggles. They grew up with the same limitations but her blessings came in education and employment. She considers the two as gifts to use in helping others.

Melanie has been working with homelessness services for the past 15 years, all of which have been spent at Homeward. Before joining Homeward, Melanie worked in the insurance and software industries. During these years, she gained skills in business analysis, risk management, meeting facilitation, contract analysis, and business communication. She has applied the business experience from these earlier jobs to her work with grants, finance, and human resources at Homeward. Although her day-to-day work is not client-facing, she is inspired by being a part of a dedicated team whose work changes the game for many people in our community. 

A fun fact about Melanie: Melanie loves watching wild birds; she always has her binoculars handy!

Frances Marie Pugh graduated from Washington and Lee University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During her undergraduate tenure, she focused her academic studies around issues of poverty and inequality through the lens of social-science based public policy. As a member of the 2019 PPIA JSI cohort at Carnegie Mellon University, Frances Marie came to recognize that a large proportion of failures in public policy can be traced back to the disparity in experiences between those writing legislation and those who administer and experience the nuances of a policy in action. In her work, she prioritizes authentic engagement and leadership. 

Trinity recently started working at Homeward in May 2023. She graduated from VCU with her masters in social work. In her field practicums, she gained knowledge and practical experience interning with CCC’s Housing Resource Center and with Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond’s Community Impact team, giving her just over two years of training in Richmond. Originally she was raised in Woodbridge and will always have love for the DMV, its peoples, and its cultures. Throughout Trinity’s life, her family has housed and supported other relatives struggling with homelessness/housing instability, and has since developed a deep passion for reducing the harm caused by homelessness. She also believes that safe, affordable housing is a right for everyone!

Fun Fact about Trinity: Before university, Trinity went to her local performing arts high school and graduated with a concentration in creative writing. She has been published for both her creative nonfiction and poetry entries into competitions and literary magazines. Additionally, as part of her final writing class, she self-published an entire book at age 17 (that will never see the light of day again, haha).

Choice has been working in homelessness services for the past 10 years, spending the last 2 years here at Homeward. Before transitioning to his current position as a a coordinator, Choice spent time working as a diversion specialist on the HCL. Choice’s lived experience in homelessness inspires his current work supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Choice was recognized as the Community Housing Partnership’s Desk Clerk of the Year Success Recipient.

A fun fact about Choice: As a child, Choice was featured on the Jim and Tammy Children’s show in Portsmouth, Va. He also collects Fiestaware and names Shirley Bassey as his all-time favorite singer.

Elizabeth has worked in homelessness services for the past two years, and has over 6 years' experience in nonprofit administration and human services.  She got her start in the nonprofit field while volunteering as an AmeriCorps VISTA for a local nonprofit that provides supportive services to refugees. She believes the safety and dignity stable housing provides is a human right that everyone should be able to access.

A fun fact about Elizabeth: She has an Australian Shepherd named Bingley after a character in one of her favorite novels, Pride and Prejudice!

Vicki started with Homeward in August 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work in 2011 and her Master of Social Work in 2017, completing both programs at Virginia Commonwealth University.  She has worked as a professional social worker for 12 years, five of which were in homeless services in the Richmond area.  Before coming to Homeward, she gained invaluable experience in various roles within homeless services including working as an AmeriCorps member at a local shelter provider and as an outreach worker. Vicki believes that safe, affordable housing is a human right and this belief guides her work.

Fun Fact: In her free time, Vicki enjoys fashion and worked as a fashion stylist for several years. She still styles loyal clients for special occasions.