Supporter Corner

By Jason Strecker

The 2025 New Year has me reflecting on the great memories made last year with my friends from Arundel House of Hope (AHOH). This past Christmas day I was able to spend time with my friend Ronnie Vaughn who is one of the longest tenured employees of AHOH. Ronnie is a man known to many as a father figure. Prior to his recent retirement, Ronnie faithfully served as an AHOH staff member for over 20 years, after previously transitioning from homelessness with his residence at AHOH’s Jim Fouse Center. Ronnie’s greatest act of service was in serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. When his older brother was drafted to serve in Vietnam, 18-year-old Ronnie felt it was his calling to be with his brother and serve. Ronnie and his brother were not able to serve in the same unit, but both saw service in Vietnam with Ronnie having a 14-month tour during his Army service.

When I think about Ronnie, my thoughts immediately focus on AHOH staff member who are Veterans. I think about the great Veterans who have served our country and also AHOH as staff or volunteers. I know that AHOH’s reaching our Veterans is so important. Along with the Patriot House, a housing program for Veterans who are experiencing homelessness, AHOH has seen several long-term staff members coming from a background of military service. It’s been a pleasure getting to know a few of the most recent AHOH Veteran staff members or volunteers.

Last year, my friend and fellow former AHOH staff member/current volunteer Yvette and I visited Ronnie together at his new senior living apartment together. During the visit, Ronnie shared his original hard copy photographs from his time in the Army, including a few from Vietnam. Having seen those incredible photos, I was inspired to share them and write this message of tribute to Veterans.

Along with Ronnie, I would like to honor in writing several men who have given their selfless service to our country and also AHOH. I thank Ronnie, Mr. Charles (Air Force) and Mr. Ray (Army), Mr. Bob (Air Force) and Mr. Don (Army), TJ (Army) and Gary (Army/Air Force). Ronnie, Mr. Charles, Mr. Ray, Mr. Bob, Mr. Don and TJ are long serving AHOH staff members holding various positions. Gary is a previous Patriot House resident who has helped volunteer with Patriot House Resident Managers even after graduating the Patriot House program.

Mr. Charles first came to AHOH as a college intern and was hired as the Patriot House’s first Resident Manager, a position he held until retirement. Just a few of Mr. Robinson’s accomplishments for Patriot House residents include guiding them during the housing voucher process, helping residents obtain free dental care and working with other nonprofits to provide Christmas gifts to all residents. Gary credits Mr. Charles with helping him obtain a housing voucher that led to obtaining an apartment of his own.

Mr. Ray’s current position with AHOH is Resident Manager of the Patriot House. Along with AHOH’s Executive Director Mario Berninzoni, Mr. Ray is the longest serving staff member with both men being hired together after previously working with Catholic Charities. Mr. Ray is credited by Ronnie as being a great help during his time as a Fouse Center resident, with Ronnie saying, “Without Ray I don’t think I would have made it far in The Fouse Center.”

At AHOH’s Community Recovery Center (CRC), Mr. Bob and Mr. Don make a great team working at the CRC together. They strive to ensure the needs of guests, volunteers and staff are met year round. They provide a professional meeting place for groups such as Together hosting 12 step meetings and Solley United Methodist Church with their monthly lunch service. Both Veterans are long term AHOH staff members with Mr. Bob’s most current and longest-term position being that of CRC Program Director. Mr. Don’s journey with AHOH began as a Patriot House resident; from there he served as a CRC volunteer hosting 12 step meetings and would soon be hired as staff. The goodness Mr. Don and Mr. Bob bring to the CRC is best summed up by Yvette, also a Together volunteer, as she texted, “Don and Bob are UH-FREAKING-MAZING. They are two of the kindest, wisest and most inspirational people I’ve ever met and they have quickly become part of our Together family. They always leave you thinking and growing. Every bit of their lives, they have turned into life lessons for those that have crossed their path. They are gentlemen and that counts for a lot these days. They both are very dedicated and insightful individuals who truly have the best interests of our friends at heart.”

Veterans TJ and Gary are two of my best friends. TJ started with AHOH as a volunteer but was quickly hired as staff. He is a reliable friend and on a daily basis, I count on him to help me continue to have a stronger role in helping in the homeless resource field. As a previous AHOH staff member myself, I enjoy our friendship in sharing stories of our similar experiences as AHOH staff members. I have great joy in seeing TJ playing such an important role with AHOH assisting various programs, Winter Relief and community housing needs both in office and on the road. One of our mutual friends is a former Patriot House resident, Gary, who continues to support Mr. Ray in his current position at the Patriot House. One of Gary’s favorite services was in helping Mr. Charles deliver food bank food to all of AHOH’s community houses, prior to Mr. Robinson’s recent retirement. He also takes pride in helping Mr. Ray start a garden for Patriot House residents and he will soon be helping our friends to start a new garden this season.

I am grateful for all these men have done and continue to do for us and our country. Please enjoy these photos of Ronnie during his Army service along with a more recent photo of Ronnie with Mr. Charles, Mr. Ray and Gary from last year’s Grand Opening of AHOH’s new location, Mr. Don and Mr. Bob embracing Together volunteer John along with TJ and Mr. Ray from a special event at Patriot House. Every day I will continue to thank all Veterans and my friends Ronnie, Mr. Charles, Mr. Ray, Gary, TJ, Mr. Bob and Mr. Don.  I am grateful for their support in allowing me to share their stories.

Sincerely,

Jason

Arundel House of Hope Volunteer/Staff 2008-2010