Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 www.TheFranklinCountyTimes.com 87

Courtesy Photo Crystal Williams is the new homeless services co­ordinator at STEP Inc.

STEP hires homeless

services coordinator Crystal Williams of to help clients figure out

Wentworth, N.C., has what they can do going joined Solutions That Em- forward," Williams said. power People (STEP) Inc. "I want to make homeless­as homeless services coor- ness rare in these counties. dinator. People need to know that

Williams is an 11-year someone cares other than Army veteran, serving most just giving them funds. recently in the reserves. Some folks need much She also worked as a juve- more than just paying the nile probation officer with rent. What are the causes of the Department of Juvenile their homelessness?" Justice in Tallahassee, Fla., STEP's Homeless and for the U.S. Postal Ser- Prevention and Rapid vice. She holds a master's Re-Housing services are degree in human service offered in the counties of counseling and a bachelor's Franklin, Henry, Patrick degree from Liberty Uni- and Pittsylvania, and the versity. cities of Martinsville and

In her position as home- Danville. The Homeless less services coordinator, Prevention office is located Williams will help people in Martinsville at 10 East get out of homelessness Church Street. and prevents those at risk STEP (Solutions That from becoming homeless. Empower People) is a She will counsel and coach community action agen­clients in how to obtain and cy with services in Frank­maintain housing long-term lin and Patrick counties, and make referrals to other and Bedford, Martinsville agencies for services not and Danville. Services in­offered by STEP. elude Early Head Start and

Homeless services pro- Head Start; youth services vide temporary assistance#lFES Academy and Proj­and on-going case manage- ect Discovery); senior ser­ment for low-income fami- vices (Meals on Wheels, lies and individuals who are transportation); supportive at risk of losing their homes services (re-entry, home­(rentals only) and "rap- lessness prevention); hous­id re-housing" emergency ing and weatherization; services for those who are and financial services (tax homeless. A person is con- preparation assistance, fi­sidered homeless if he or nancial education, individ­she is living in a place not ual development accounts). meant for human habita- STEP's mission is to em-tion, such as a car, park or abandoned building, or a person living in a shelter.

"I like to sit down one­on-one and counsel and try

power people to overcome barriers to economic, edu­cational and developmental success within the commu­nities it serves.

Photo by David Rotenizer/ Franklin County Office of Economic Development Franklin County teamed up with Montgomery County at the recent annual IBMA Convention and World of Bluegrass Festival held in Raleigh, N.C. The International Bluegrass Music Association event drew in excess of 208,000 visitors from around the world. Franklin County focused attention on Ferru� Col­lege's annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, the Harvester Performance Center, the annual Mountains of Music Homecoming events, and the fact that the county serves as the front door to the Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. The marketing opportunity was made available through the Virginia Tourism Corporation, which provided Expo space in the Raleigh Convention Center, along with a non­stop lineup of professional musicians to support a Virginia Music Showcase. Other participating lo­calities included Bristol, Abingdon and Galax. Above, Lisa Bleakley, executive director of Montgomery County Regional Tourism, talks with visitors at the festival.

·. Photo 9i'J>avi� Rotenizer/ Franklin County Office of E;�onornic. Develop01�gtDebbie Holley, administrative ai\tstant 'With ttte Ofpok�d Rolff. Vtrglnta's Heritage Music Trail;ct'clli. with bluegrass musicians and fans from around the *o'rld in Raleigh North Carolina for'iheinlfoaflB­Convention and World of Bluegrass Festival. The International Bluegrass Music Association event drew in excess of 208,000 visitors. Franklin County is the front door to the Crooked Road.

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