July 2023 – HopeTree Family Services

Home > HopeTree Presents HopeGrows Fundraising Event

SALEM, Va. (July 12, 2023) – HopeTree Family Services, a leader in mental and behavioral health services, is delighted to announce its highly anticipated annual fundraising event, HopeGrows, taking place on Thursday, September 7 at The Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke. This premier event will bring together philanthropists, community leaders, and compassionate individuals who share a common goal of elevating HopeTree’s programs while making a positive impact on those they serve.

Date: Thursday, September 7

Time: VIP Reception – 5:30 PM | General Admission – 6:30 PM

Venue: Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Avenue SE, Roanoke, Virginia, 24011

Guests attending HopeGrows can look forward to an enchanting night of unforgettable experiences. The event will feature:

Master of Ceremonies Jenna Zibton: WSLS 10 news anchor Jenna Zibton will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Jenna has been pivotal for WSLS 10’s ’30 Days of Hope’ program that brings awareness to the successes and challenges of foster care and adoption. Every November since 2017, Jenna has featured children who can be adopted across Virginia, telling their stories along with those of families touched by the foster care system.

Keynote Speaker Tori Hope Petersen: Tori Hope Petersen is the bestselling author of ‘Fostered’ and a sought out national speaker, inspiring audiences to be resilient, suffer well, and change the world with what they have, right where they are, by loving the people in front of them. Tori is a leading advocate in foster care, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Essence, and many other publications sharing her story about being a former foster youth and overcoming to serve others. Tori has equipped and empowered countless churches, organizations, and people to serve the underserved. She also founded the Beloved Initiative, a nonprofit where in community people learn how to become professional lovers of people.

Live Entertainment by Flat Five Jazz: Flat Five Jazz is a modern jazz combo based out of Lynchburg, Virginia. A menagerie of backgrounds and influences create a unique, yet beautiful soundscape that is both pleasing and engaging.

Silent Auction: Bid on exclusive items and experiences generously donated by our partners and sponsors. Every contribution made through the auctions will directly benefit HopeTree’s programs.

We are grateful to our event sponsors, whose unwavering support has made HopeGrows possible. Their commitment to HopeTree’s mission and dedication to transforming lives demonstrates the power of collaboration in effecting real change.

Individuals and organizations interested in attending HopeGrows are invited to visit our website at hopetreefs.org/hopegrows for more information and ticket purchases. Limited sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who wish to contribute to the success of this significant event.

Home > HopeTree Appoints Chief Compliance Officer

Jessie Woods to oversee organization’s compliance measures, accreditation processes, and Electronic Health Record operations.

SALEM, Va. (July 5, 2023) – HopeTree Family Services, a leader in mental and behavioral health services, has appointed Jessie Woods as Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, she is responsible for the agency’s compliance, risk, quality, and privacy efforts to include compliance with HIPAA laws. In addition, Woods oversees HopeTree’s accreditation processes and the performance, training, and outcomes of the Electronic Health Record.

Woods brings a wealth of knowledge and nearly 20 years of experience in youth services, building strategic partnerships, and community outreach. She has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the YMCA of Pulaski County. Woods came in to her CEO role with the YMCA during the height of the pandemic closures. She expanded to area elementary schools for afterschool care in tandem with school closings due to COVID, expanding the YMCA’s licensed spots from 75 to more than 300.

Woods also spent nearly 15 years at Family Preservation Services, beginning work as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor at Critzer Elementary School in Pulaski and ultimately to the organization’s Director of Program Development. While there, she served as the first staff on the state team to coordinate, train, and consult for the TDT program state wide, serving more than 200 schools.

“I have a passion for serving others and organizations focused on youth, so coming to HopeTree was a natural fit,” said Woods. “My goal is to work with our staff to continue collaboration and education to ensure a safe and compliant approach to care and services across the state.”

Woods is a graduate of Virginia Tech, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, and Radford University with a Masters of Social Work. Currently, she serves on the First Steps of the NRV Leadership Team, and the New River Valley Community College Human Services Advisory Counsel.