Category: News

Carilion’s Support for TAP

Posted on May 18, 2023

Carilion doesn’t just provide healthcare for those in southwest Virginia. They also invest in the health and vitality of their community. Carilion has been a sponsor of TAP’s Bringing Hope Home campaign for the past three years. They provide much-needed support to our efforts to bring hope to the community. Carilion’s support for TAP has allowed us to continue providing help to those in need.

Carilion’s Support for TAP Goes Further

Carilion has gone beyond providing financial support in the past. They have demonstrated their commitment to supporting TAP. In the past Carilion has been a partner in our adult education and employment services. This partnership formed through our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program. Carilion worked with us to provide a pathway to a career in healthcare. Carilion’s support helped make this program accessible. Many people who faced barriers to employment were able to complete it. They now have stable and rewarding healthcare careers. Carilion’s support for TAP has helped give them a path to a brighter future.

They Believe in Our Community

By investing in the community Carilion is helping to create a stronger community. They are helping to make a more robust community. Through support for TAP’s initiatives Carilion has shown their commitment to this community. Their efforts are making a significant difference in the lives of people in the Roanoke Valley. They are bringing hope and support to those who need it the most.
Local partners like Carilion are critical. They make our efforts to create a better future for all possible. By investing in the community in this way, Carilion is making a significant contribution to the region’s growth and development. According to Nancy Agee, Carilion’s CEO, “We are pleased to join with agencies like TAP whose goals and values are aligned with our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve.”   They are setting an example for others to follow.

Ending the cycle of violence

Posted on April 18, 2023

Gun violence is a national epidemic. The African American Culture and Contemporary Issues (AACCI) classes are part of TAP’s answer to curbing the issue locally.

Changing Dropout Rates and More

Started in 2008, the class originally aimed to reduce Black male dropout rates at William Fleming High School. This fall, it launched an open-to-the-public initiative. Based on the Fleming curriculum, this Saturday program is available to anyone age 15 or older. Both programs follow the school year calendar. Part African American history, part empowerment strategies, part holistic health, AACCI is changing lives.

“This program is catered toward building your self-worth, empowering you to be a leader, as well as knowing when you need to follow,” says Lateefah Trent, youth services and education manager at TAP. “It’s learning how to not only think of yourself when you’re in a situation, but those around you in your communities and your home; leading by example.”  

A Holistic Approach

In 2020, Antonio Stovall was tapped to manage this legacy program. He began revamping the curriculum after he was hired. Antonio integrated holistic approaches born from a tragic personal experience. “The man who my mother was in a relationship with, who she had just broken up with, had taken her life,” says Antonio. “After it happened, I could go on the path of self-destruction or [the] path of bettering myself. Reading more, working out more, eating better, studying any type of information about holistic wellness, healing, nutrition. I learned from lots of people from around the country, went to Egypt, and started teaching mindfulness, yoga, and martial arts in the community.”

With his experience, alternative education research, and natural talent for fostering relationships, Antonio created a class structure that works. “What we’re noticing is since the pandemic everything has changed. How students learn, how teachers need to teach,” he says. “This program could be a model for what is needed to rebuild that class and the environment when it comes to learning.”

Impacting Generations

The benefits of AACCI didn’t stop with high school students. “Eventually, it started having an impact on the parents as well because they started to see a difference in how their child was acting,” says Antonio. Soon, adults were asking about the class, and TAP’s “Whole Family” focus made open Saturday classes a natural next step. “The conversations are a lot more diverse. You have different age groups that are part of the class. That just makes the class a lot more interesting because of all the different perspectives,” says Antonio.

“I think one of the biggest reasons why Antonio’s approach works above and beyond the method is because he approaches every individual as an individual,” says Lateefah. “He doesn’t come off as the head honcho in the room. He believes in equality for all and that everyone has a voice.”

The class has made an invaluable impact on the community­—AACCI participants have left gangs, learned to appreciate school, and ended suicide plans. “This was created for our most at risk youth, but what we discovered is everyone needs it,” says Lateefah. “The more you recognize yourself, the more power you have over dealing with things.”

See You on Saturday!

We invite anyone age 15 or older to join us for this FREE class every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until June at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. To register, please contact Lateefah.trent@nulltapintohope.org.

Supporter Story: Member One Donation

Posted on April 12, 2023

Last November, Member One presented TAP with a $100,000 donation—the biggest single gift given in our 58-year history! A gift of this kind to a nonprofit was also a first for the credit union.

“Member One is incredibly excited to make this contribution to TAP,” says Frank Carter, President & CEO of Member One. “We were impressed with all of TAP’s initiatives but specifically their housing and early education programs.”

TAP will use part of the donation to help buy a bus to transport our Head Start students so parents can work or pursue their education; the other part will provide additional affordable and safe housing for homeless families seeking careers. “We have three families that are going to be placed in housing as a result of Member One’s financial contribution, and that is only the beginning,” says Annette Lewis, TAP President & CEO. “Member One is a leader in giving back to the community that it serves, for which TAP is very grateful.”

Member One also became a top-level sponsor of our Bringing Hope Home annual campaign this year. They’re invested in the health of the region and those who live here. “When it comes to community support, it’s important to think about how we’re all interconnected,” says Alex Lucas, Vice President of Community Impact at Member One. “By supporting organizations like TAP we can work to consciously make that impact a positive one.”

New TAP Volunteer Program

Posted on April 4, 2023

We’re excited to announce our new volunteer program at TAP!

Volunteers are at the heart of TAP’s work to help people overcome poverty, and we’ve redesigned our program to make sure you have the best possible experience while making a difference in your community.

What’s new:

• A redesigned volunteer web portal
• Separate pages for individuals and groups with lots of information to help you get started
• A full list of volunteer opportunities. From planting flowers, to reading to children, to helping with administrative tasks, you can ensure the time you spend with us will be worthwhile and fulfilling

How to get started

After submitting an application TAP staff will be in touch to set up your ideal volunteer experience. If you need to reach out directly, you can email volunteers@nulltapintohope.org.

Our volunteers should be driven and hard-working. TAP welcomes people of any race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and beyond. We work with each person to find the best fit for them within our programs. All that we ask from you is that you come ready to help out the members of your community!

Supporter Story: Network Computing Group (NCG)

Posted on March 17, 2023

Mark Bowles, CEO and founder of Network Computing Group (NCG), knows the value of bringing hope to those in need. “Hope is one of the most crucial things. Making people feel hopeful is the first step in meeting their needs.” After talking to Mark and his team, you can tell how much they want to do right by the people they serve.

A History of Service

Mark has always believed that giving back is key. Before starting his own company, he was teaching a class at Virginia Western Community College and donating his time and skills to local nonprofits like the Science Museum of Western Virginia. After opening NCG, Mark continued to give back to the community by offering a discount to local nonprofits.

It’s clear that Mark has fostered a team at NCG that values giving. Dale Wolfenbarger, Chief Technology Officer at NCG, also gives his time and IT skills at his local church, as well as at the International Christian Centers for the Deaf. “NCG is a member of the community and any time we can give back to it, that is helping us thrive and grow; it’s best for all of us. If it isn’t growing around us, neither can we.”

A Stable Connection

NCG and TAP have been working together for nearly a decade. For the past three years, NCG has also been an Empower Sponsor of our annual Bringing Hope Home campaign. “I spent a lot of my time thinking about and running NCG, but now that I’m getting older, my thoughts are moving to charity and getting more involved in how the money is used and what the purposes are,” Mark told us. “It’s easy for me to give to TAP knowing that they know the needs of the area and that they know best how to use the money wisely.”

Thanks to NCG’s support, we have been able to grow our programs to serve even more people. “Every time I turned around, there was another program TAP was doing, another service TAP offered,” says Mason Walker, Chief of Information Security at NCG. “You wouldn’t be able to tell the story of community service without TAP. They are that story…If there were no TAP, there would be a net negative in the community.”

A Legacy to Build On

We wouldn’t be able to do our work nearly as well if it weren’t for supporters like our friends at NCG. “TAP is tried and true and, to have been there as long as they have, that’s something that brings hope to the community. It’s a solid platform to give hope to the people around here,” says Dale.

If you’d like to support TAP by giving, please click here. TAP also has volunteer opportunities available in our service areas.

The Whole Family Approach

Posted on March 15, 2023

At TAP, we’re always looking for ways to improve the way we serve our clients. That’s what led us to adopt our new Whole Family Approach. This family-led strategy provides every member of the household with the tools they need to succeed.

TAP began to use the Whole Family Approach during the pandemic.

We began to use the Whole Family Approach during the height of the pandemic. TAP was able to do this with help from CARES Act funding. This proved to be very effective in connecting clients with services. We have now adopted it throughout the agency long term.

Any client that comes to TAP completes an assessment on their full household. This assessment allows us to ascertain the needs of the entire family. The information from this assessment is then entered into our system. Case managers use this information to refer the client to all services they qualify for. This includes programs both inside and outside the agency. Case managers follow up with clients to track their progress. They will also look for any additional assistance they might need.

The Whole Family approach will ensure clients have all the tools available to them.

With this approach a client contacts TAP about our Weatherization program. They now know their young children are eligible for Head Start. A client reaches out for our eviction prevention services. They now have a referral to a job-training program for a family member.

The primary goal of this approach is to ensure clients can access all the tools available to help them thrive.

TAP has two intake specialists dedicated to the success of all our clients.

TAP has two Whole Family intake specialists, Cheryl Evans and Patricia Comer. Both of these women are dedicated to setting clients up for success. They have witnessed the benefits of the Whole Family Approach firsthand.

“As a Whole Family intake specialist, I enjoy being able to encourage clients. I love exploring services within TAP to help improve life for their family” says Cheryl.

Patricia adds, “I am happy that TAP is reaching out to the whole household. By reaching out we can try to help everyone who may need us.”

Ready to get started?

To see what programs you may be eligible for, contact us today at (540)777-4673.

Free Money Management Coaching for Veterans

Posted on February 27, 2023

Attention veterans: for a limited time, we are offering you free money management coaching. Services include:

• One-on-one financial coaching
• Financial education
• Help creating goals and spending plans

No matter your money situation, we can provide you with the tools you need to achieve your financial goals. To get started call 540.283.4916 or email teffany.henderson@nulltapintohope.org.

Find out more about TAP Financial Services here. Learn more about our programs for veterans here.

Supporter Story: Roanoke Valley Orthodontics

Posted on February 20, 2023

Dr. David Jones stepped up to run Roanoke Valley Orthodontics (RVO) in 2014. Since then, he and his wife, Justine, have also made it a point to step up their support of many causes in the Roanoke Valley. Over the past six years, RVO has given more than $10,000 to TAP!

Selfless to the Root

Dr. Jones has been working to improve the lives of those in need since he was in school. While attending Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, he served in the Virginia Dental Missions of Mercy project, which provides free dental care to low-income people in the state.

After his dental training was complete, Dr. Jones and Justine moved to Roanoke and began to support the people around their new home. “We have always made it a priority to ‘give where we live’ and support the community that does so much for us,” he says. “We especially seek out organizations that focus on improving the lives of young people and families.”

Why Choose TAP?

“After learning more about TAP’s programming, we were called to support [its work],” explains Dr. Jones. “TAP makes a huge impact on the at-risk youth in our town, promoting and providing their further education. They also help our underserved adult population overcome financial and lifestyle obstacles to achieve personal success.”

While the Joneses support all of our programs, they took a special interest in TAP Head Start. “We have a family member who believes strongly in the Head Start program and [we] felt it was crucial to support it here in our community.” Since Head Start is one of our farthest-reaching programs, it also demands the most of our resources. We are thankful for Roanoke Valley Orthodontics‘ crucial support of Head Start and those the program serves. Through gifts like this, we prepared almost 1,300 kids for school just last year!

Embracing Roanoke

Roanoke Valley Orthodontics believes in improving the lives of the people they serve. “Our practice is centered on our tagline of ‘Embrace Roanoke,’ a play on words that speaks to our desire to truly support the community we live in. TAP also embraces our community through its programming and focus on literacy and education,” says Dr. Jones.

“TAP is an amazing resource for our at-risk community [members] to help them break socioeconomic barriers and develop them into contributory members of our community.”

Click to find out how to get involved in TAP’s mission.

Do you know about TAP Books?

Posted on January 25, 2023

TAP Books sells pre-owned books online and uses the profits to fund other TAP services. It also provides jobs to those who need to build their résumé. It’s a win-win situation, but we need the help of volunteers to keep the program running smoothly.

More than just books

Today it seems like even entry-level jobs require some form of work experience. It’s a Catch-22: you won’t be hired without experience, but you can’t gain experience without being hired.

TAP Books is a social enterprise that opened in 2018. Staff scan, file, and warehouse donated books in order to sell them online to generate profit. This financially supports other TAP programs. But its mission extends beyond simply generating financial support—it’s also about providing reliable work to encourage growth in job skills. With an open mind and an “outside-the-box” mentality, staff have the chance to strengthen the program, gain valuable work experience, build their résumés, and convert their skills into something of greater value.

How you can help

Our staff work hard, but they can’t run the program alone. We need the help of volunteers like you to keep TAP Books running. Sign up as an individual or a group and help support this valuable program.

Donations are also needed. If you’d like to contribute, simply visit one of our 24/7 donation bins stationed throughout the community. A list of drop-off locations can be found here.

Taxing Times: Keisha and the Tax Clinic

Posted on January 24, 2023

Going into the last tax season, Keisha, a hardworking single mom to three kids, almost didn’t file her taxes. She missed filing one year and for the next few years felt a sense of dread about filing. When she would think about her taxes, a nagging voice kept suggesting, What’s the point anyway? Why file when the government will just take even more of your hard-earned money? But deep down, she knew it was a problem she needed to confront, so she went looking for an expert to help. Tax Clinic to the rescue!

The Search for Help

After the shock of learning the cost to have her taxes filed at the big companies, things were off to a rough start. Keisha knew she couldn’t quit though; she needed to do this for her family. One of her kids was preparing for college, and Keisha knew her child would need to provide tax information.

Keisha had heard of our Tax Clinic but had never considered it an option for her. “I looked at a few different services, but they cost way too much,” she recounts. “So I called Teffany and asked what to do.” Teffany Henderson runs the TAP Tax Clinic. She works with our volunteer tax preparers to make sure clients receive the best services possible. She also works with the IRS to ensure the Tax Clinic meets all the latest guidelines and rules. If anyone would know where to start, she would.

Lending a Hand

Keisha was unsure about discussing her financial records with strangers, but Teffany helped put her mind at ease. “Teffany was super warm and gave me some great advice,” Keisha remembers. After reviewing her finances, Teffany knew Keisha was eligible for our services and helped her set up an appointment.

Keisha describes feeling a sense of relief at the combination of good, professional advice and the warmth of those she spoke with. “On the phone, I talked with another woman whose voice was just so kind that I was immediately comfortable giving them [my tax information] and dropping off my paperwork,” she says. And when Keisha explained that she felt she’d gotten into a mess with her taxes, the volunteer said, “Bring everything in, and we’ll take a look—and if we can’t help you, we won’t leave you high and dry. We’ll make sure to find someone who can.”

Back On Track

After filing her taxes for the year, volunteers helped Keisha file her back taxes too. As it turns out, Keisha didn’t owe money; the government owed her! Surprised, Keisha got a return on her back taxes. “I came out on top after [the Tax Clinic] did everything. I was able to get back on track.”

This tax season, anyone doing a simple return whose total filing income is $60,000 or less, or those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, can file for free through our Tax Clinic. (We can’t file for those with 1099s or freelance returns, or digital assets, like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, or electronic payments, like Cash App or Venmo, in excess of $600.) And, as we promised Keisha, if we can’t help, we’ll find someone who can.

Find Out More About the Tax Clinic

To make an appointment to get your taxes done or to see if you’re eligible, contact the Tax Clinic hotline at (540) 283-4804 or email us at taxhelp@nulltapintohope.org. For more information, check out our Free Tax Clinic page.

Supporter Story: Carter Bank & Trust

Posted on January 11, 2023

We’d like to thank Carter Bank & Trust for being a great community partner. Through their CARE Forward campaign, which started in 2021, the bank donates $10 to TAP for every new checking account opened at specific bank locations. Since the campaign started, TAP has received roughly $11,000!

Aaron Tsang, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at Carter Bank & Trust, says, “We were extremely proud to partner with TAP during 2022 through our CARE Forward program. Caring for and investing in local communities has been a core value of Carter Bank since its founding, and TAP has continued to find ways to care for and have a positive impact in the Roanoke community through its many incredible programs. We will continue to partner with TAP and other nonprofits in charitable giving and volunteer services throughout 2023 and beyond.”

It’s through the generosity of community partners like Carter Bank & Trust that we can continue to help transform the lives of our neighbors in need.

Click to find out how to get involved in TAP’s mission.

A Safe Place to Call Home

Posted on December 19, 2022

During the pandemic that kept many people—especially the elderly—housebound for over a year, safe housing became more important than ever.

When Kenneth Hayes found himself spending more time at home than usual, he knew it was time to finally make his home of almost 30 years a safe place to live.

Before the house belonged to Kenneth, it belonged to his aunt and uncle. Kenneth was the only one of their nephews who frequently came by to visit and check on them. When his aunt passed away in 1992, Kenneth moved in to care for his uncle, who was around 100 years old. A few years after Kenneth moved in, his uncle passed away, and he has lived alone in the house ever since.

“I can breathe again.”

While Kenneth has many good memories of spending time at the house with his uncle and aunt, he also watched it become more and more dilapidated over the years. “When I was younger, I could do things,” he says, but at 70, he felt overwhelmed by the accumulating issues. The bathroom ceiling collapsed. The siding was damaged. The back porch was unsafe to walk on. Eventually, his homeowner’s insurance was canceled due to the home’s condition.

For 15 years, Kenneth couldn’t leave home when it rained because he had to push a trash can under his leaking roof and empty it before the floor flooded. From holes in the floor and roof to broken pipes, the house was full of dangerous problems, and he felt like there was nothing he could do about it. Now, thanks to our Major Rehabilitation program, he says, “I can breathe again.”

TAP staff worked with the insurance company and got them to cover the repair period. With that protection in place, the improvements started.

When Lee Lovern, our construction manager, surveyed Kenneth’s house, he noticed an immediate danger: a broken pipe was leaking carbon monoxide into the basement. He fixed the pipe right away and installed a carbon monoxide detector. Over the next two months, the program completed all the major repairs that the house needed, including fixing the floor, siding, and roof. The total repair cost was $88,500.

“You don’t have to look back.”

The repairs were a major relief for Kenneth. “I don’t think I could have made it another year like I’d been making it the past 15 years.” When your house is in bad shape, he says, “weather can shut you down.” He’s glad not to have to worry about rain anymore.

Now that TAP has helped Kenneth get the major repairs out of the way, he can work on his own projects around the house. Lately he’s been painting the hallway, his bedroom, and the bedroom where his great-grandkids stay when they come to visit.

He recommends TAP to anyone who needs house repairs to keep them safe. Once the major problems are fixed, he says, “you don’t have to look back.”