Around the Network: Meet Vanessa Dunlap

Published on June 4, 2024 by CCConnect

Director of Community and Financial Services
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia 

What first brought you to Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia? What keeps you there?

Eighteen years ago, I happened to meet the Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) executive director at a Christmas party. She asked if I knew anyone who needed a job helping uninsured or underinsured people apply for free medication. Without missing a beat, I said yes, me! Please know that before this conversation, I had no idea what Catholic Charities was or what they did. I just knew this was where I needed to be. I started a week later. I stay because we do good work here and I have the privilege to serve people with people I look up to and who push me to grow. 

What do you do day-to-day at Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia?

I am the director of community and financial services. I support our companion care and in-home respite care coordinator and our life coach at Chesapeake Regional Hospital, and I oversee our financial and housing counseling program. I spend a great deal of time signing vouchers, doing grant reporting and attending meetings. That is my official job; however, you will often find me running around town, paying for people’s medication, taking someone to a medical procedure when they don’t have anyone else who can do it or delivering groceries to a home-bound client. My days are full of surprises, which keeps me from being bored. 

Why is it important to serve your community and neighbors in need?

People are struggling, and everything can seem insurmountable when you feel alone. As my team and I serve our community, we help people to feel less alone and to feel that they have someone in their corner rooting for them and cheering them on. As an agency, we inspire hope, and when a person or community has hope, lives change for the better.

Tell us the story of a client in whom you saw the face of Christ recently and why.

The other day, I was at my worst. I had just dropped my car off at the shop for a check engine light. My admin was out for the day, and I was answering the door, handing out diapers and trying to get grant reports completed. I was on the verge of being overwhelmed when a woman came in and asked if Vanessa Dunlap was available. I was tempted to say no, because I had a lot to do; but when I stopped and looked at her, I heard a voice say, “Will you make time for me?” Instead of no, I said, “Hi, I’m Vanessa. What can I help you with?” It took two hours, multiple phone calls, calling in a favor with another agency and a car ride to pay a hotel bill. But, as she was leaving, she admitted that this was the last stop she was going to make before she gave up. Then she thanked me for taking the time to help in her darkest hour.  

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your time at Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia?

Driving the beer cart at the annual golf tournament is the best gig around!

What’s your biggest goal these days?

To be present and supportive to those around me, and to celebrate the everyday miracles.

What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you try to live by?

Be the light in someone else’s darkness.

Norfolk, VA, December 28, 2023: Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) and various Knights of Columbus Councils joined forces on December 2nd to host a Christmas party for families in CCEVA’s Grandparents as Parents (GAP) program.

CCEVA’s GAP program is a dedicated support group designed to offer assistance, guidance, resources, and a sense of community to family members navigating the unique challenges of raising grandchildren or relatives’ children. The program addresses the specific issues, questions, and obstacles that arise in parenting a relative’s child.

John Cochran began the Coats for Kids partnership with CCEVA six years ago to provide new coats to children being raised by their grandparents and to provide the food and labor to feed the GAPs families at the event and distribute all the new coats, hats and gloves. This years’ event had the highest demand for coats, the highest level of volunteer participation, and the addition of Fr. Edward Richardson, SMA Council #111984. The other participating councils include: Kempsville Council #10515, Saint Teresa Council #12117, Saint Teresa Ladies Auxiliary, San Lorenzo Council #12378 and San Lorenzo Ladies Auxiliary.

The festive party included crafts and cookie decorating for the families. 100 brand-new winter coats were generously distributed to the children. 7 additional coats were purchased after the party for children that didn’t acquire a perfect fit at the party. Families unable to attend picked up their winter accessories in the week following the celebration and 102 extra coats were donated to CCEVA to support their programs throughout the winter, especially the Eastern Shore Migrant Ministry. The Knights of Columbus made sure each child received a coat that fit, ensuring smiles all around.

Donna Voshell, a longstanding member of the GAP program expressed gratitude, emphasizing its warm, supportive atmosphere, great leadership, and responsiveness to the needs of participating families. Ms. Voshell partnered with GAP in 1998 in the schools and upon her retirement sought CCEVA to keep the program alive. Another grandparent shared, “Being a member of the GAP group means support in so many ways. Most importantly, it’s about meeting other grandparents as parents, getting to know them, and feeling I am not alone.”

CCEVA annually serves over 7,900 local families, offering parenting support, mental health counseling, financial assistance and education, guardianship services, and programs for seniors. A staggering ninety percent of their clients live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
CCEVA’s Mission: Grounded in faith, Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia serves all, providing professional services and inspiring hope. Learn more about Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia and its programs at www.cceva.org.