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About us

While the federal government is working to reduce homelessness in urban areas, rural American homelessness is getting worse. U.S. Department of Education data reveals that since 2013 the number of rural homeless grade-schoolers has grown 11 percent to account for nearly 162,000 students. Needy families in less populated areas often slip past HUD’s census, since they tend to stay with other families and in budget motels. Local communities, therefore, have to help their own.

The Fauquier Family Shelter—a 24-hour, 52-bed emergency shelter in Warrenton, Virginia, that helps nearly 400 people annually—receives no state or federal funding and relies primarily on community giving to maintain operations. In addition to providing shelter, the FFS emergency facility and multi-year transitional housing program both provide struggling local men, women and families with crucial life skills related to budgeting, employment, nutrition, homework and parenting. Our staff and volunteers maintain a safe environment for our residents and a new path to dignity, responsibility and hope.

Staff
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TEAM MEMBERS

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Gerry Vent

Melinda James

Program Director

Vint Hill Transitional Housing

mjames@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

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Scott McDowell

Facility Manager
Emergency Shelter

Vint Hill Transitional Housing 

smcdowell@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

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Mindy Sippel

Shelter Case Manager

msippel@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

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Peaches Winston

Shelter Manager 

Emergency Shelter

mwinston@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

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Tambria Gariepy

Development Assistant

tgariepy@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

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Nicole Minor

Administrative Assistant

nminor@fauquierfamilyshelter.org

BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT

Jim Mitchell


VICE PRESIDENT

Mark Sharp


SECRETARY

Debbie Werling


TREASURER

Nathan Gilbert

MEMBERS

Sam Blaser

Bill Chipman

Lucia Coffey

Lisa Mallam

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