Over the past 5.5 years, Megan has developed extensive experience administering VHSP and HOME-funded housing programs, including Targeted Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA), and Emergency Shelter. She is a State Certified Housing Counselor through the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors and maintains strong collaborative relationships with community partners, service providers, and landlords throughout the counties of Shenandoah, Page and Warren.
Megan is actively engaged in the community through regular participation in organizations and outreach efforts, including Non-Profit Council, LeadShare, PACA, and Warren Coalition meetings. She also serves as the creative lead and content director for many of Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter's public communications, designing fundraising materials, managing the organization's Facebook page and website, and producing the theme for the monthly newsletter. In addition, she managed the Continuum of Care (CoC) website for more than two years.
Her professional expertise includes the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA), Fair Housing laws, housing crisis diversion, housing stability planning, and homelessness prevention and intervention. She combines technical knowledge with strong community partnerships and effective communication to help individuals and families navigate housing crises and achieve long-term housing stability.
SHenandoah Alliance for Shelter Staff
Katie has been with Shenandoah Alliance for approximately 10 years, bringing a strong background in mental health, case management, and advocacy. During her tenure, she has held all positions at the organization and gained hands-on programmatic experience. In her role as Executive Director, Katie has been instrumental in cultivating community relations, improving financial management and fundraising platforms, and developing effective leadership and board relations.
Becky comes to us from Head Start with a proven track record of ensuring compliance with program standards and delivering comprehensive support to families. She is skilled in conducting home visits, assessing family needs, developing individualized assistance plans, and advising parent committees. Additionally, she has actively supported recruitment and enrollment efforts to maintain full program participation, and provided a range of support services to Head Start families, including implementation of the annual Community Assessment, and maintaining detailed data entries. She has also demonstrated expertise in managing multiple administrative duties, including invoice processing, freight coordination, and covering for absent staff as needed. She is a great addition to the SAS Team!
katie Furneisen
Executive Director
BJ Stout-Ritter
Housing Stability Coordinator
Megan Bly
State Certified Housing Counselor
Becky THorpe
Centralized Housing intake coordinator
Over the past 7 years at SAS, BJ has held several key roles. For 4.5 years, she served as the Centralized Housing Intake Coordinator, and has continued to step in and fill this position when it has been vacant. BJ has also taken on the role of Housing Stability Coordinator helping to expand the Salvation Army Utility program to provide rent and mortgage assistance. Additionally, BJ has been the driving force behind the Sibert's House transitional housing unit.
Board of Directors
Mary Gessner, President
Katie Gosswein, Vice President
Brenda Rawlings, Secretary
Robert Cline, Treasurer
Barbara Adamson, Member
Susan Holsinger, Member
Dennis Morris, Member
Julia Sargent, Member
Carrie Coffey, Member
Jay Magdinec, Member
Ashley Dudley, Member