Homeless Solutions Welcomes Three New Trustees

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., November 16, 2023, [NEWSWIRE] – Homeless Solutions Inc. (HSI), a New Jersey-based nonprofit focused on helping local individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, announces the addition of three new members to its Board of Trustees. Homeless Solutions’ Board of Trustees provides strategic, financial, and governance support to the organization to help achieve its mission of “A Hand UP, not a Handout”. “We’re excited to welcome these accomplished professionals to our Board of Trustees,” said Dan McGuire, HSI Chief Executive Officer. “Their commitment to our mission and dedication to addressing not only the needs of our programs but housing insecurity in our county will be an asset to our Board and organization. We welcome their enthusiasm and knowledge as they take on these new roles and help us to serve our community.” ​

The new Trustees will join the existing Board made up of 15 other community and professional leaders. They will serve on various committees to help advance the work of the organization. Nancy R. Davis will sit on the Programs & Services and Development Committees, James Heck will support the Fund Development and Housing Development Committees and Elizabeth Vandeveer will serve on the Finance and Housing Development Committees. You can learn more about them below.

About Our New Trustees

Nancy R. Davis: It was the hands-on experience of volunteering at our shelter with her teenage son for the first time that inspired Nancy to get involved with Homeless Solutions. She witnessed the emotion of her son as he watched a small child crying and begging his mother to go home, not understanding why they were in a shelter. At that moment, she and her son both understood the importance of helping support an organization like HSI. Nancy has now taken her dedication to a new level as a Board member to increase awareness of our mission: “I believe most people want to help other people and especially within the community that they live. When I speak to people about HSI I give them the facts about the homeless in our community most are in disbelief with how prevalent it is and are interested to learn how they can get involved.” Nancy is Vice President/Head of Clinical Operations for Theia Therapeutics, Inc. and received both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Saint Elizabeth University.

James Heck: The enthusiasm James holds for service to his community is tremendous. Only having been involved with HSI for about 4 years, James jumped right in serving as an enthusiastic participant for our A Night in the Cold campaign when it started in 2020 and has been an active committee member for the event. With his new Board position, James is excited to broaden his advocacy beyond volunteering and donating for a cause he is passionate about: “I’m looking forward to having a larger role in helping guide and build sustainability for HSI so they can help the community for the next 40 years and beyond. I am looking forward to strategically finding ways to reduce the issues of housing insecurity and to providing 360 support and services for those in need of housing.” James is a seasoned professional in corporate IT strategy and implementation and is an alum of Bucknell University.

Elizabeth Vandeveer: Elizabeth became involved with HSI 10 years ago when she helped deliver furniture and housewares to apartments for our clients coming out of the shelter or Transitional Housing Program through the Grace Church Recycling Ministry. She became close with one particular family and watched them thrive and grow, particularly their children. She credits the support HSI had given the family to get them back on their feet as an integral part in their success. As a Board member, Elizabeth is not only eager to bring her non-profit finance knowledge to the Board committees, but to educate people about how HSI tries to move people out of homelessness AND gives them the tools to remain housed: “I think that the average donor is impressed with our focus and depth of engagement with our clients. When people feel that their donations are being used wisely and not just “spent on the problem,” they are more willing to give. I try to get them interested in the How of our mission, not just the What.” Elizabeth is the Chief Financial Officer for the Madison Area YMCA and earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University and an MBA in Finance & Marketing from Columbia University.

About Homeless Solutions

​Our Philosophy is “A Hand UP, not a Handout.” As a private, nonprofit organization, Homeless Solutions has been helping those who are homeless and at risk of being homeless in our community since 1983. We are unique in what we do. It’s not just about providing a healthy meal and a place to sleep. Our goal is to give those we serve the tools and surroundings they need to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient. What sets our nonprofit apart from others is our continuum of housing options, including our main shelter, Transitional Housing Program (THP) for families, Mt. Kemble Home for senior women, Emergency Warming Center for street homeless in the winter, and the 74 Affordable Rental Housing units we own and operate. For more information on how you can support Homeless Solutions, visit: https://homelesssolutions.org/