Verona Community Center sees an increase in the number of people it has helped

VERONA — Willie Crosby was homeless for almost two years, living in his car. He described his existence during that time as "rock bottom," saying he didn't have a job and was struggling to find one because of a disability. A friend told him about the Verona Community Center.

"I was kind of skeptical," Crosby said. "I didn't know how people would treat me when they found out I was homeless, but I braved up and went on over there."

His first few trips were just for coffee. As he got to know the volunteers better, he opened up about his situation.

"Next thing I know, I am doing laundry over there, taking showers," Crosby said. "The Community Center, it really brought out the best in me. It was a great atmosphere. The people were friendly. The next thing you know, I was helping to volunteer there."

The Verona Community Center first opened its doors in 2016 in what was formerly theater space for ShenanArts and, before that, a grocery store. It's located at 465 Lee Highway next to the emergency veterinarian. Verona United Methodist Church donated a large portion of the initial money to open the community center, but in 2019 the center became an independent non-profit organization.

It offers free laptop use and Wi-Fi to members of the community. There's a printer available for use. There are also shower and laundry facilities that are free to use, as well as a place to charge phones. The cafe has free coffee, beverages and snacks available. Restrooms are also open to the community. The center is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Community groups can rent rooms after hours to use for meetings, events or parties. There is the John Gray Hall that seats up to 100 people, the Shenandoah Room that seats about 40 people, the Blue Ridge Room that seats up to 30 and includes a nursery and the Rolla Mills Room that seats approximately 12 people. For information on renting the spaces email lydspot@yahoo.com.

Current groups using the facility range from churches to a contra dance group to a video gaming club. The Augusta County Library provides outreach at the center the third Wednesday of every month from 3-5 p.m. by providing a pop-up library, tech and informational support, library card signups, crafts and small activities and other resources. Augusta Health also offers a mobile primary care clinic the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

So far in 2024, the Verona Community Center is close to providing 500 showers. They should reach that number before the end of June. Lydia Weeks, the center's operations coordinator and its only paid employee, said that number is noteworthy because it shows such a large increase in the numbers of showers. In 2022 the center offered 396 showers for the entire year and last year they offered 841. Through six months this year, the center is offering 13 more showers per month than it did in 2023.

The laundry service is also being used about five more times per month more than it was a year ago. The use of the cafe and the number of events held at the center has also grown every year since 2021. The total number of people served in 2023 was 17,248, the most since the center opened in 2016.

The center, staffed by volunteers, has more than $10,000 in monthly expenses and operates on donations from individuals and groups. Recently Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative donated $2,500 and Columbia Gas of Virginia, through its philanthropic organization, donated $2,000 to the Verona Community Center.

"Columbia Gas of Virginia is proud to support the Verona Community Center and organizations like this one, as we work together to build strong communities in Virginia," said Stephanie Benson, Columbia Gas's communications manager who visited the center recently. "We are thrilled to share our time, talent and resources to assist the community center as it serves as a gathering place for area residents."

Crosby said having the facilities to use at the center, as well as just being able to volunteer and talk with other volunteers, inspired him.

"Before I went to the Community Center I was just a hopeless cause, to be honest," Crosby said. "This was one of the greatest atmospheres, one of the greatest places a person could ever go to."

Crosby now has a job, working at the 7-Eleven in Verona, and has a small apartment in Verona. He said the volunteers there talked about options with him. He still had to do the work in finding a job, but he said the people at the Verona Community Center gave him the motivation and courage to do that.

"Even if you are not homeless, just go there," Crosby said. "Look around, meet the people, have a free cup of coffee, fellowship. To me that was what it was all about."

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Verona Community Center sees increase in those it helps