Penney Kramer, MVHO Reentry Program Director, believes hope is the strongest, most freeing gift you can give someone. For three years, Penney has worked tirelessly to create, develop, and build the processes and procedures for a new program, Beyond the Walls, to provide housing resources to individuals with mental health who are being released homeless from the Montgomery County jail. “Beyond the Walls is something I’m quite proud of and it has a lot of potential for growth. This vision can truly reduce homelessness by offering needed housing and support! The program name has a special meaning for me. I believe no one should ever feel worthless or undeserving just because they were once bound by four walls,” said Penney. MVHO is proud to have Penney on our team! We also want to thank the ADAMHS Board for Montgomery County for funding the program and Jill Bucaro and Alyssa Yates with the Montgomery County Public Defender’s office for the collaboration!

Dayton and Montgomery County could use more than 20,000 new residential housing units in the next five years to help counter a shortage of affordable product that is contributing to overspending on housing and other issues, according to a housing needs assessment funded by a local nonprofit group.  Read more: https://epaper.daytondailynews.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=d64db78f-3dde-4462-a6de-7aabbe89e5f4&pbid=66ab59ea-5cfc-438d-83e4-dc9e4a34f79d&utm_source=app.pagesuite&utm_medium=app-interaction&utm_campaign=pagesuite-epaper-html5_share-article

MVHO case manager Stephen loves what he is doing, and we do too! When asked why he converted a big part of his small-ish office to a gym for the tenants, Stephen said he wanted to get the guys out of their apartments and give them something to do. There was funding available to purchase a basketball hoop for the parking lot but nothing more. With cold weather on the way, Stephen started wondering what he could do inside this MVHO permanent supportive housing site for eleven men. He wanted the men to be more active.  “I thought I’d use myself as an example.  I am losing weight by exercising, packing lunch, and eating healthier. I tell the guys that you can change things if you want to,” said Stephen.  “I brought in exercise equipment and a football from home, and my mom donated the exercise bike.”

Stephen in the gym he created for the tenants.

Stephen with Cicero

Bill, a tenant, said he likes talking to Stephen because he’s always available to help him with things like finding employment.  Bill was standing inside Stephen’s office with a beautiful blue-colored bird perched on his finger. Bill gently handed the bird to Stephen and offered his thanks for the experience. Stephen loves animals and history, and he brought Cicero, a Quaker Parrot, from home to show the tenants.  “I’m always trying new ideas to get the guys involved.”  Stephen’s next step is to install shelves in the hallway for a shared library for books and movies.

Stephen wants to upgrade and add to the current exercise equipment, but this is a part of his bigger plan to offer more tenant engagement opportunities. “I don’t want them to sit inside on the couch all day. I want them to have activities that improve their well-being and mental health. I want to take the guys to offsite activities, but I don’t have the means for transporting more than a couple of men at a time.” His plans for next spring include adding patio furniture and a raised garden to grow tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers. Bill said he is looking forward to helping with planting the vegetable garden, and he wants to add carrots, too!  Because of Stephen’s dedication as a case manager, the tenants have more options to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s working out at MVHO!

MVHO needs a passenger van to transport the tenants to activities.  If you or anyone you know would like to donate a van, exercise equipment, or make a monetary donation, contact Rebecca DeLong, 937-263-4449 ext. 415 or https://mvho.org/donate/

I was living place to place and then with a girlfriend until she passed away.  Drugs were my friends.  Until then, I wasn’t ready or willing to change. It was 2008, and I was staying at the shelter on Apple St. It was then that I got to know Tammy* from MVHO. Tammy said I could move to MVHO housing on the VA campus into a unit for two females. I said I couldn’t because my boyfriend didn’t want me to move into housing where he couldn’t live with me. Tammy said he is not your friend if he stands between you and housing. I needed that harsh, brutal honesty. Before this, I had no one to talk to, never had a place to myself.  Tammy and MVHO gave me a chance.  After I heard Tammy, I had hope.  I prayed to the Lord that if He helped me stay clean from drugs for three days I would make it.  And I have.  It was a process. I have stayed clean from drugs since October 7, 2008. But, MVHO made it simple because I got so much support. My two daughters were there for the lease signing. That was important to me.

After I moved into housing, I started watching my grandson when he was six months old while my daughter worked.  He was my helper. I got to love on him, and he kept me balanced. My second and third grandsons became a part of my life, and they kept me grounded.  In 2017, due to family circumstances, I had legal custody of three grandsons.  MVHO was there for me again, and they moved me into a house.  All of us have beds, a roof over our heads, and food. It was simply the act of God.

I love MVHO. I came back to life because they touched my soul. I have been with MVHO for such a long time. Tammy helped me. Now, Charles (MVHO Tenant Services Specialist) helps me. MVHO is renovating my home, and my grandsons are doing well.  MVHO taught me to live again!

*Sadly, Tammy Ackerman passed away in 2019.

Veronica with MVHO Tenant Services Specialist Charles