• Home
• News and Information
  • Current News Releases
  • Speeches
  • Fact Sheets
  • Annual Report
  • Grant List
• What We Fund
• Special Initiatives
• Apply for a Grant
• About Us

Reston Interfaith House Dedication And Press Conference

Thank you, Kerrie. This is one of the best parts of being at the Foundation: joining groups like Reston Interfaith and its partners and seeing first hand the remarkable impact you make in our community.

Mr. Merril – thank you for sharing what you and your family have been through. Our celebration today is all about families like yours who now have a home, and are on your way to a better future.

I'd like to recognize Congressman Moran for your ongoing commitment to Reston Interfaith and to nonprofits in our community that provide critical services for children and families.

Helen Keller said: "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." Those words are especially meaningful during these tough times, when resources are stretched, nonprofits are feeling the pinch, and families are struggling to keep their jobs and stay in their homes.

The foundation of the home we're dedicating today is a strong community partnership – one that brings together the private sector, nonprofits, the philanthropic community, government, churches and faith-based organizations.

Each group has brought something of their own to the table, their own building block, to meet one of the most basic needs a family has: housing. And, together we've worked to provide critical services so families stay in their homes. While we come from different sectors, all of us share this mission of making life better for children and their families.

We are delighted to thank Northrup Grumman [Lynn Gilmore and Bob Hastings] and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce [Jen Sterling] for their significant contributions to this partnership and our community. I'd also like to recognize Dean Klein for his support. Dean is the Director of the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness. Many of you know him from the years he spent at the Freddie Mac Foundation. We are delighted to partner with Dean in his new role.

The Freddie Mac Foundation is privileged to invest in the HOUSE program and the services families need to become independent. The economic downturn has made it harder than ever for families, particularly for those who are homeless, to achieve financial stability.

Programs like HOUSE provide permanent housing, along with critical services like financial education, job training, and quality child and health care. This type of program has the greatest success helping families get back on their feet and gain financial independence.

Families need not worry about moving out of transitional housing and finding a place to live – they are already in their own homes: so one of their most basic, important needs has already been met.

Housing stability coupled with comprehensive services is key: it allows parents to focus on building better lives, better futures, for themselves and their children.

The HOUSE program also helps young adults leaving the foster care system find housing and achieve their independence.

Today, through HOUSE, more than 149 parents and children live in 39 homes, soon to be 40!, and receive the services Reston Interfaith provides. We're delighted that the family moving in to the home dedicated today will be a part of this wonderful program.

On behalf of the Freddie Mac Foundation, it's been a privilege to join Reston Interfaith, our partner of 15 years, and all of you here today, to support our housing goals and to make home a place where children and families thrive. Kerrie…