Family PASS Moms to Share Stories at Fundraiser

When Shanetta met Suezette Steinhardt, the 18-year-old single mother's life changed.

They met when Shanetta lived in transitional housing, then kept in touch even after she completed that program. Steinhardt helped Shanetta find daycare, counseled her on how to become self-sufficient, and guided her again after Shanetta lost her job.

"When I lost my job, she told me she had just started a new three-year program that could help people like me who just felt like they couldn't get ahead," Shanetta said.

The program is Family PASS, a nonprofit organization on Chain Bridge Road on the Oakton-Vienna border that aims to help those who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness become self-reliant. Families live in a secure home while receiving job training and education, and new life skills.

Steinhardt found Shanetta and her daughter affordable housing, helped enroll her at Northern Virginia Community College and even hired her at Family PASS. 

"If it wasn't for that program, I don't know where I would be today," said Shanetta, now a 25-year-old who is studying contract management at NOVA while also holding a full-time job. "The program provided stability. I didn't have to worry about whether I was going to get put out or if my lights were going to get turned off. I could focus on being a mom and studying for school. I didn't have to worry about that cost and stress being over my head."

Shanetta and other Family PASS moms will be sharing their stories at a fundraising event Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lakevale Estates Community Center on Oak Valley Drive. Admission is $25 at the door, with proceeds benefitting Family PASS.

"They've volunteered to speak about the program and how it has impacted their lives," she said. "It will also be just a nice social event. ... I think it should be a lot of fun and people should feel free to just stop by."

Steinhardt, the executive director, started the organization six years ago out of a need she saw for not just affordable housing but a support system for clients before, during and after moving in. 

The program provides clients with a letter stating how much rental assistance they will be receiving. Combined with their income, the letter should help them qualify for an apartment. It costs about $16,500 to help one family for a year.

"Right now Fairfax County is doing a fantastic job of bringing all the nonprofits in the area together to work on some type of housing issue, and we all serve different populations or different niches," she said. "On a continuum of services in Fairfax County, what we've brought to the table is the whole idea of rental assistance. We've expanded the inventory of affordable housing without ourselves buying properties or leasing apartments ourselves."

Family PASS is currently helping 27 families, 13 of which are part of the rental assistance program. The others are receiving case management services.

The organization has about two dozen people volunteering for tasks ranging from stocking the food pantry to furnishing apartments to grant writing, and more.

Shanetta has seen both through her participation in the program and her work in the Family PASS office the good work being done by all involved, but she will always hold a special place in her heart for Steinhardt.

"I just feel so blessed and happy that I met someone that really cared about me. I always felt that even though I made a mistake and had a baby at a young age, I wanted my daughter to be proud of me," Shanetta said, her voice cracking. "I'm sorry to start crying, but I'm just so happy that I can support her."

Vale Club is hosting a Meet the Author event with Oakton Patch columnist and blogger Kathleen Canedo at 7:30 p.m. today at Vale Schoolhouse for a suggested donation of $10 to benefit Family PASS.