Virginia CARES recently held its annual Dinner and Awards ceremony in Roanoke. The event featured an inspirational keynote speech by Marcus Hodges, associate director of the Court Services Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) in Washington, D.C.
Special guests included People Inc. Deputy Director Aisha Bailey, the Rev. Thomas H. Harper, board member Major Angel Millington, and Roanoke Sheriff Antonio D. Hash. Jennie Springs Amison served as the evening’s emcee.
The event also celebrated the retirement of former Virginia CARES Executive Director Ann Fisher, who served from 1996 to 2025, and recognized board members Cheryl Mosley and Douglas Taborn.
The Cindy Martin Achievement Awards are presented annually in honor of former Virginia CARES Executive Director Cindy Martin. Each service delivery site selects a participant for the award. This year’s recipients were Bradley Oliver (New River Community Action), Brittany Massie (People Inc.), Jerriel White (People Inc.), George Coleman (Pittsylvania Community Action), Gerald Hawley (TAP), Mike Viveiros (TAP), and Brittany B. McNeal (WINGS).
Brittany Massie also received the 2024-25 Lin Edlich Award. Released in December 2024, Brittany initially felt alone and struggled to find a path forward. With support from her reentry coordinator, she obtained her driver’s license and submitted more than 300 job applications. She later enrolled in Ready to Work and Workforce Development programs, earned her Class A CDL license, and secured full-time employment with Appalachian Sustainable Development, working in the greenhouse and garden program.
Brittany B. McNeal was also honored with the 2024-25 Lin Edlich Award as a WINGS Shining Star recipient. Recently completing the WINGS program, Brittany initially focused on anger management to handle conflict in healthy, constructive ways. In addition to her emotional growth, she is pursuing her GED and has maintained steady housing and employment.
James Wall received the 2024-25 Rosana Anderson Award, named for Rosana Mack Anderson, who dedicated more than 30 years to community action. James was the first person enrolled in the TAP Covington reentry program. He began working for TAP as a weatherization team leader and later became a Virginia CARES case manager.
Angel Brim received the Legendary “TEDLICH” Award. Angel is a passionate reentry case manager with three years of hands-on experience supporting individuals through the Virginia CARES program at Pittsylvania County Community Action.
The People Inc. (Abingdon) CARES Program was honored as Site of the Year. The award was accepted by Chris Snipes, Wendy Johnson, and Christina Tyler.
See photos from this event.