There’s a new leader on the scene in our Energy Conservation and Housing Rehab (ECHR) component. Bringing a unique advantage John O’Donnell took the reins of the component over the summer and has since hit the ground running. John has years of experience in the housing and construction field. Before coming to TAP, he worked…
A Conversation with Billy Weitzenfeld Billy Weitzenfeld is the executive director of the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP), a role he’s served in for 20 years. This nonprofit group promotes and advocates for energy conservation, and serves as a support and resource group for Virginia’s Weatherization Assistance Program. TAP is a founding member of…
This is the last in a series of posts about the battle against poverty, your role in the battle, and some of your allies in the fight. To read the series from the beginning click here. If you’ve been following along with this series, you’ve met your teammates in the battle against poverty, Sirois,…
This is the fourth in a series of posts about the battle against poverty, your role in the battle, and some of your allies in the fight. See first post. See next post. NAME: Taetz, M. Alias: “Hibachi Slim” D.O.B: 05/94 LOCATION: Roanoke, VA PSYCH EVAL: Experienced family trauma in youth. Wary of the…
This is the third in a series of posts about the battle against poverty, your role in the battle, and some of your allies in the fight. See first post. See next post. NAME: Sirois, M. ALIAS: “Vatic” D.O.B: 12/91 LOCATION: Roanoke, VA PSYCH EVAL: Stress, anger PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 5’10”, brown hair, brown eyes…
This is the second in a series of posts about the battle against poverty, your role in the battle, and some of your allies in the fight. See first post. See next post. NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX ALIAS: “Aegis,” “Isobel” CATCHPHRASE: “Today’s the time.” D.O.B: 4/79 LOCATION: Veracruz, Mexico; Roanoke, VA PSYCH EVAL: Depressed, hopeless, afraid…
This is the first in a series of posts about the battle against poverty, your role in the battle, and some of your allies in the fight. See next post. Two days ago, at 2307 hours, our allies intercepted encoded communications meant for ranking members of our enemy’s organization. Upon decryption, the communication yielded…
Volunteering has been proven to help people feel better and improve communities, but you have to pay the bills, right? TAP Tax Clinic offers temporary paid positions too. As a paid tax preparer, you can work as many hours as you want. Volunteering at TAP Tax Clinic Each year, with the help of volunteers, we…
From One Veteran to Another Lawrence Thornhill knows that sometimes the best person to help a veteran is another veteran—that’s why he’s interning with our Veterans Services while he studies for his master’s degree in social work through Rutgers University. Through his internship, Lawrence, who is a veteran himself, works directly with vets to help…
Bill Tynes has worked with TAP over several years to better his housing and life situation. On a recent fall morning, he sat down with our staffers to recount the story of overcoming challenges in his life, including abuse, drug addiction, and near homelessness, to later becoming a homeowner. Growing up, Bill found himself in…
TAP is starting a new program for women in recovery. Southwest Virginia is at the center of the nation’s opioid crisis. Overdose and neonatal abstinence syndrome rates far in excess of state and national averages. Total Action for Progress (TAP) is excited to announce a new program, RESTORE (Re-employment, Support, and Training for the Opioid-Related…
We are excited to present a new award at our 2019 Annual Lunch: the Legacy Award. It will be presented to Mr. George Kegley of Roanoke. We congratulate him on this recognition and thank him for his tireless service to our community. About Mr. Kegley Kegley spent 44 years as a journalist for The Roanoke…