Jenspiration
Phoenix Project reminds us that Giving Tuesday is coming up December 1st
It’s no understatement to say that 2020 has been a year of tremendous difficulty. A global pandemic, massive unemployment, and civil unrest are just some of the disturbing headlines that have bombarded us throughout the year. But these societal problems are only the tip of the iceberg for some in our local community. For victims of domestic violence and abuse, being stuck at home is dangerous – even life-threatening. While most of us bemoan the inconveniences of social distancing or mask wearing, these victims may feel more isolated than ever. They just want to survive.
Those who suffer domestic abuse often suffer in silence. But for those who finally find the courage to reach out, there is help. The Phoenix Project is Warren County’s domestic violence agency serving the Front Royal and Warren County areas. We work to provide options for men, women and children who are victims of abuse and afraid to stay in their homes. When we get a call from someone who is undergoing abuse, we give them a lifeline to get them out of immediate danger, and we offer services that will help them plan for the future.
The goal of Phoenix Project is to interrupt and break the cycle of abuse. Our requests for services in Front Royal and Warren County continue to increase, especially during these difficult times. From March to October in 2019, there were 456 hotline calls. In 2020 that number jumped to 1104 – yes, it almost tripled! Every one of these calls represents a real person. Abuse does not discriminate against age, gender or status. Every abused child is someone’s daughter, or someone’s son. It could be a wife, husband, or a friend or neighbor – a person, who is embarrassed and afraid, or who feels like they do not have any options.
The volunteers of Phoenix Project are available, even late into the night, to help when someone is in need. We are there to listen, offer guidance, and provide reassurance that they are not alone. Being able to simply rest in a safe place helps an abused person so much, so they can focus on their next steps. But we can’t provide all these abuse victims’ needs without your help.
Consider the cost of providing a safe place:
- $50.00 – Your donation of $50.00 allows a family of 4 to purchase food.
- $75.00 – Your donation of $75.00 can pay for a victim/survivor to have the utilities changed from the abuser’s name to their own.
- $100.00 – Your donation of $100.00 can provide safe housing for a family of 4 and a pet for 1 night.
- $200.00 – Your donation of $200.00 can provide 40 minutes of translation services to the victim/survivor.
- $350.00 – Your donation of $350.00 can provide the victim/survivor a consultation with an attorney.
- $500.00 – Your donation of $500.00 can help a victim/survivor with a car payment or repairs so that they may be able to work while the abuser is in jail.
- $750.00 – Your donation of $750.00 can help a victim/survivor with rent so that they may be able to remain in their home while the abuser is in jail.
- $1000.00 – Your donation of $1000.00 can help a victim with new housing, including rent and home security & utility deposits, providing an avenue for moving forward to safety.
Based on the numbers above, the services we provide are desperately needed in our community. But we cannot do this without your help! John F. Kennedy once said, “If not us, then who?” What would it mean to our community if we were not here?
Will you consider joining the Purple Ribbon Club to help someone in a violent situation?
- Become a Hero with a gift of $1200
- Partner with a gift of $600
- Advocate with a gift of $300
- Supporter with a gift of $120
Or, you may also make a one-time donation in someone’s honor, a gift of remembrance, or a Christmas gift. We are their voice, for those who have no voice, or live in fear of speaking up….We are a voice in the community, a voice to be heard. We are Phoenix Project. Please consider giving a donation to Phoenix Project. Partner with us to help stop domestic violence.
Kind regards,
Tana Hoffman, President
Board of Directors
Phoenix Project
Community Events
Royal Shenandoah Greenway Rotary Cleanup Day – come join us!
Royal Shenandoah Greenway Trail is one of our community’s natural treasures. Let’s keep it clean! You are invited to come out on July 2nd to help pick up litter with local Rotary clubs. We all need to work together to keep our town litter-free for us all to enjoy!
We will be meeting in the parking lot of PaveMint Smokin’ Taphouse off of Commerce Ave. Bring gloves, trash bag, and a little extra energy as we set out on a trash collecting mission! Work side-by-side with like minded community members. Bring your children to help! It’s a great experience to encourage our youth to get involved and take ownership in our town and keeping it beautiful.
For more information, call Jennifer Avery at 540-683-0790, or email jenaveryrealtor@gmail.com.
ALL ARE WELCOME — LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER
- 9am Meet at Pavemint Smokin’ Taphouse
- Saturday, July 2, 2022
- Event link: Facebook
Jenspiration
House of Hope enjoys “sweet” success
On Friday, June 3, the House of Hope set up a bake sale during the Humane Society of Warren County’s annual yard sale. There was a huge selection of baked goods from individual community members to professional bakers! Special thank you to Manor Line Market, Garcia & Gavino’s, Down Home Comfort Bakery, and Devin Smith for donating to the cause from the professional side. Thank you so much to all of the home bakers who made this sale such a success too!
As the volunteers set up the bake sale table they quickly realized one table would not be enough! Two full tables of goodies were set up for the sale. A peach pie by Down Home Comfort Baker was raffled off bringing in almost triple normal value!
Congratulations to new community members Mack and his wife for winning the raffle!
The final results: The House of Hope is pleased to announce they brought in close to $900 from the bake sale! At the end of the day, there were still a lot of leftover goodies. Board member Jen Avery continued the bake sale online, offering to deliver cookies and brownies to customers. The Rotary Club of Warren County stepped in as multiple members placed orders in addition to several other community friends.
Who knew a bake sale could be so much fun? Many thanks to all who participated! And thank you to the Humane Society of Warren County for allowing another non-profit to join their fundraiser.
Community Events
House of Hope will be selling home baked treats on June 3rd
The House of Hope will be hosting a BAKE SALE on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 10am to 1pm. We are so excited to partner with the Humane Society of Warren County on this effort. The animal shelter will be hosting its annual YARD SALE on June 3 & 4 from 10am to 2pm. The yard sale is “name your price” style shopping. Pay what you feel is fair.
The BAKE SALE will be set up outside of the animal shelter building with lots of goodies. Garcia & Gavino just confirmed they will be donating some yummy baked goods for us. We will most likely have a variety of cookies, breads, cakes, and brownies… maybe even a pie or two, all donated by the community! Please come out to support two great causes!
LIVE music will be held at the Bake Sale by Ed McCurdy, a House of Hope resident! Thank you to Manor Line Market, Explore Art & Clay, Devin Smith & his students, Jen Avery, Mary Ann Biggs, Becky Cook, Tish Weichman, and Garcia & Gavino for their baked goods donations. If you are curious what the donations will be… come out and see!
If you are interested in donating baked goods, we are very happy to receive your donation. Jen Avery is available to pick up on Thursday or Friday morning if it makes things easy on you! You can reach Jen at 540-683-0790.
Join the Facebook Event Page to stay updated.
- BAKE SALE (to benefit House of Hope): Friday, June 3, from 10am to 1pm
- YARD SALE (to benefit Humane Society of Warren County): Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, from 10am to 2pm
Jenspiration
FRWRC CenterStage with Joanne Cherefko, Souls Tilled Like Soil
FRWRC CenterStage with Joanne Cherefko, poet and writer of her third book, “Souls Tilled Like Soil.” Watch this interview for great information and details about this new book:
On May 25th, there will be a book launch at 4:30pm at the Shenandoah River State Park (Andy Guest State Park). Prepaid passes, so no need to pay to enter. To get to the Massanutten Shelter, take the entrance road to the very end, take a right, and then a quick right to the shelter. Devon Smith will be catering!
Joanne will be there to read a few poems and sign books, and copies will be available for sale, OR buy your copy on Amazon.
Front Royal Women’s Resource Center is featuring a new series called Center Stage. This is a chance for women in our community to share information about business, causes, events that are special to them. Host Jen Avery makes it fun, easy, and “empowering.” Contact the FRWRC for more information.

Are you a member of the FRWRC? Consider membership too!
Front Royal Women’s Resource Center
“Empowering Women to Change Their World”
FRWRC.org
Jenspiration
Warren County Market Report for April 2022 with Jen Avery
Watch this video for a quick summary of Warren County real estate for April 2022. Is the market starting to balance back out again as interest rates begin to climb? I can share an observation or example from a listing perspective: The buyers who are offering are asking to please lock in their rates ASAP vs. previously buyers who would allow a 60-day close if it were the seller’s preference.
Buyers were willing to do anything to win the bid. Buyer desperation is not as severe now, in my opinion. Charts demonstrate the changes in the market, so be sure to click play!
In general summary:
1. New Listings are DOWN -15.9%.
2. New Pending DOWN -15.7%.
3. Closed sales are DOWN -26%
4. Average Median Sold $350,500
5. Average Days on Market 25
*If you would like a copy of this report emailed to you, please send a request to jenaveryrealtor@gmail.com.
Resource: April 2022 Market Stats by ShowingTime
Bright MLS: Statistics calculated May 2022.
Now some Community News
House of Hope
Empty Bowl Supper 2022 – Was a success!
Thank you to all of the businesses and supporters who sponsored the Empty Bowl Supper this year. You helped make it a great success bringing in about $13,000 for the House of Hope.
Click here to view video from event.
Warren Coalition
We See You, Warren County – sign up (free) online to join this “movement” to help bring our community together. Follow on Facebook! You are going to love it! #WeCUWC
Facebook page.
Sign up here.
Rock & Stroll Event – May 10
Warren Coalition organized the Rock N Stroll
Healthy living for kids 4-13. Drug prevention week.
Rock & Stroll helps to address that by educating children about how to handle their emotions and about healthy choices regarding food and exercise.
Click here for full album.
Chamber of Commerce – May 21
34th Annual Wine & Craft Festival 2022
Watch this video with locals who became movie stars for a day!
Get your tickets here today!
Humane Society of Warren County
Rough Tough & Scruffy – DATE RESCHEDULED June 18
Grab a friend and sign up for a canoe race!!! Vendors, music, and food for all to enjoy. $10.00 entry fee. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Warren County. Enjoy the gorgeous venue at Hazard Mill Farms, Bentonville.
Yard Sale & Bake Sale – June 2 & 3
Stop out at the Humane Society of Warren County for a two-day yard sale! Pay by donation! Proceeds from the yard sale go to the Humane Society of Warren County.
Looking for BAKERS!! The Humane Society is pairing up with the House of Hope and has invited them to run the bake sale this year at the yard sale. Let’s donate some delicious goods for the sale!!
Jenspiration
Rotarian Rob Grimm receives Paul Harris Fellow +4 recognition
Congratulations to Rob Grimm for his Paul Harris Fellow +4 recognition. George Karnes presented him with his pin at the Rotary Club of Warren County’s morning meeting on Wednesday.
Rob goes above and beyond to help his fellow Rotarians in and out of Rotary. George explains that he is able to call on Rob and he is always there to help him and his clients. Watch this video to hear the presentation from the meeting:
WE APPRECIATE YOU ROB!! “You Matter” – this is the We See You Warren County phrase of the month! #wecuwc