Inova Loudoun Hospital Supports Mobile Hope

Leesburg, VA — March 24, 2014 — With support from Inova Loudoun Hospital, Mobile Hope has become its own non-profit, a pending 501(c)(3) organization. In 2011, Mobile Hope began under the Community Affairs Department of Inova Loudoun Hospital. It was originally intended as a wellness outreach specifically for children who were homeless or precariously housed in Loudoun County. Over the years, Mobile Hope has expanded beyond its original concept. Mobile Hope now provides clothing, food, educational items, toys, as well as health and wellness information, and so much more for this at-risk population.

As one of the richest counties in the country, it is easy to assume Loudoun does not have precariously housed youth. Currently, over 900 students were identified by Loudoun County Public School’s Mckinney Vento Program, as being homeless or precariously housed. Nearly 30 percent of these young people do not have a parent or legal guardian in their lives.

“We believe that the program will need broader community support to continue to address this issue. Given the community need and significant community interest, Donna Fortier has worked with Inova to establish Mobile Hope as a stand-alone community outreach program,” commented Rod Williams, VP of Community Affairs, Inova Health System.

In addition to $50,000 start up funding, Inova has also donated the original Mobile Health unit bus to Mobile Hope. Inova has also committed to support funding of $150,000 over the next two years to ensure a smooth transition.

“I’m grateful for Inova’s support and for the donation of the bus. We are looking forward to expanding our program to meet the growing and changing needs of this vulnerable population. We hope to build a facility to not only support and teach, but to house many of our homeless teens who are aging out of the youth shelters,” stated Donna Fortier, Executive Director and Founder, Mobile Hope.

In addition to Inova, Mobile Hope currently partners with the Loudoun County Public Schools, the faith community, police, government officials, businesses, youth organizations, health officials and community leaders and members to create ways for these children to receive basic, necessary essentials.

Mobile Hope offers bi-monthly private shopping nights, typically serving over 200 children. The organization also makes weekly visits to select locations throughout Loudoun and helps anywhere from 30-80 kids each time the bus goes out. Since it’s inception, over 3,000 children have been helped, this number does include duplications.

“I want all of the children we help to have access to life’s necessities, things that many in our community may take for granted. Our hope is that we’ll continue to make a difference in their lives and that this program will become a model for others to follow. While I know Mobile Hope is meeting current needs, we are still in desperate need of financial contributions to ensure this program can grow and is sustainable, as too many children are now relying on us,” commented Fortier.

“We are proud that Donna started Mobile Hope as an Inova program and know that under Donna’s leadership this organization will thrive,” stated Williams.

For more information about Mobile Hope or to see how you can help, please visit www.mobilehopeloudoun.org or call 703-771-1400.

Media Contact: Reneé Brohard, APR, 540-454-3493

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Mobile Hope was created in 2011, as a non-profit (pending) 501(c)(3), to help children in need. Mobile Hope helps to break down access to care and service barriers, while working to meet the daily needs of this struggling population. In partnership with our community stakeholders, and a volunteer board of community thought leaders, Mobile Hope truly embraces the need for active participation and engagement from all who are concerned about these fragile members of our county. We take this responsibility seriously while encouraging a non-biased approach to helping to solve this harsh reality. As one of this County’s safety net providers, and recognized nationally, Mobile Hope has created a safe, confidential and growing program to meet this increasing demand.

Inova Loudoun Hospital, serving Loudoun County for over 100 years, is part of Inova, a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Visit us on the web at www.inova.org/ilh.

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