Key Member Spotlight: Emily Crowder
This spring, we formalized our group of incredible monthly givers and launched The Key! Since 2018, Emily Crowder has been a monthly supporter of Miriam’s House. We sat down to chat with Emily to learn more about her commitment to our work through her monthly gifts.
MIRIAM’S HOUSE (MH): THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT NONPROFITS IN THE COMMUNITY. TELL US WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO SUPPORT MIRIAM’S HOUSE?
Emily Crowder (EC): I choose to support MH because I've experienced the impact that the organization is making. Last year, I was in Roanoke for a soccer tournament with my family. We went to Chipotle for a quick lunch and while I was in line, I was approached by a woman with two young children. She said, "Excuse me, I just want to thank you. I noticed you're wearing a Miriam's House t-shirt, and earlier this year they helped me find a safe place for my two kids and me to live while I was trying to get out of an abusive relationship. You saved my life and my kids. So I just wanted to say thank you." We both started crying and hugging right in the middle of that Chipotle line. It made me so grateful for the amazing work that MH does for real women and families in our community, and I feel fortunate to be a small part of it.
MH: WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE MONTHLY?
EC: I give monthly because it is so easy! My husband and I make a decision at the beginning of the year about how much we're able to contribute, and then we set our sustaining gift amount online. For the rest of the year, we get to celebrate being part of the Miriam's House family.
MH: ANYTHING ELSE YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY TO INSPIRE THEM TO JOIN THE KEY?
EC: Joining The Key has given us an opportunity to talk with our kids about what it means to be in community. We've had great discussions with our two boys about how we can be part of solving a big problem by giving what we can each month. I would encourage any parents with young kids to join The Key so they can open up that conversation with their own families, and inspire their children to be part of something that's making a big difference in the lives of other kids.
When not helping to end homelessness in Lynchburg, Emily can be found working at Global Camps Africa, volunteering at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, or on her back porch with a good friend or a good book.
Members of The Key, like Emily, have committed to financially supporting Miriam’s House through a donation amount of their choosing. The support of these engaged and passionate community members ensures that hundreds of homeless families and individuals are given not only the physical key of a home but keys to independence, opportunity, and safety. This transformative group is empowering lives and unlocking homes and hopes for individuals in this community, and we are so grateful.