Behind the Scenes of Hope: Celebrating the Heart of Calvary – Our Staff

On July 18th, the Calvary Women’s Services team gathered for our annual staff cookout. This year’s cookout took place at our Reach Up program site, and true to form, the Reach Up team brought the sunshine indoors with a vibrant tie-dye and boho theme. But beyond the decorations and the delicious food, what made this gathering special was what it celebrated: the people who keep Calvary going strong every single day – our staff.

At Calvary, hope is everything. It is a practice carried out by the most passionate and dedicated team of professionals you will ever meet. They are our program managers, our case managers, our residential assistants, and our executives. They are the heart of our housing programs, our workforce development, our education services, and our mental health services. These individuals are the ones who make healing and transformation possible for the women we serve.

On this day, every one of them was being honored.

Among the laughter, the stories, and the tie-dye t-shirts, we paused to mark milestones such as birthdays, work anniversaries, and other achievements that speak volumes about the work done on our teams. One of the most touching moments of the afternoon came when we celebrated Emily Miller, a case manager at Reach Up, who just marked five years of working at Calvary.

“I thank Calvary for allowing me to engage in my passion. This is my passion,” she said.

That passion is evident in every woman she has supported and every colleague she works with.

Venus Brevard, the Program Manager at Reach Up, also spoke about Emily’s journey with admiration: “Emily’s doing very well. She came into the DV program and took it over. She jumped right in. She’s come a long way.” This sense of mutual appreciation runs deep at Calvary, and we are proud that leadership, collaboration, and mentorship are exchanged between teammates with so much care.

Emily herself also credits her colleagues as part of her evolution: “I thank Venus, and some days are better than others. I thank Sheryl because I watch Sheryl. I watch Venus. I don’t really say it much, but I just…pay attention.”

One RA and former client, Linda, very thoughtfully shared, “I know what it feels like to be homeless. I’ve been you; I am you. So, if I can do it, you can do it. I love my co-workers. Venus, Keiana, Tiwauna, Raquel…They’re the coolest people to work with.” Her story is proof that Calvary’s staff are not only Change-Makers, but they are also cycle breakers, walking with women on the hardest roads and celebrating them at the finish line.

Sarah Cannington, our Community Engagement Manager, was also acknowledged by our Chief Development Officer, Kisha James, for helping strengthen our volunteer program:

“She jumped in and worked really hard. She’s got exciting ideas and there’s lots more to come.”

Staff support clients. Staff supports staff. It is no exaggeration to say that without this team, there would be no Calvary.

That’s why we’re hosting the upcoming Change-Makers & Cocktails happy hour on July 30th. When you show up, you are helping lift the people and stories that keep us going. From the clients who find healing here to the staff who make that healing possible. This event is about celebrating the entire Calvary community.
At this event, you will also have the chance to connect with some of our amazing staff members. You’ll hear stories of transformation. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, and definitely leave feeling inspired.

Because when you invest in Calvary, you’re investing in the ones who never stop showing up. You’re empowering women to build futures where each of them has the tools to thrive.

So come join us, raise a glass, and Give Hope.