FOUNDERS - BY VETERANS FOR VETERANS
VOTR owes its existence to the vision and efforts of our founders, four veterans; Alfred Burley, Steve Middleton, Jay Chambers and Phillip Spenser. Finding himself a homeless veteran in 1993, Burley worked closely with Middleton, Chambers and Spencer to pool their resources and energy to establish modest shelter and support for their comrades in arms. From its small beginnings in West Virginia, VOTR has emerged as the holistic program it is today. Our growth over the years is due in no small measure to our founder’s vision, dedication and commitment.
VOTR owes its existence to the vision and efforts of our founders, four veterans; Alfred Burley, Steve Middleton, Jay Chambers and Phillip Spenser. Finding himself a homeless veteran in 1993, Burley worked closely with Middleton, Chambers and Spencer to pool their resources and energy to establish modest shelter and support for their comrades in arms. From its small beginnings in West Virginia, VOTR has emerged as the holistic program it is today. Our growth over the years is due in no small measure to our founder’s vision, dedication and commitment.
Training & Continuing Education - The Hallmarks of Professionalism
The professional staff at Veterans on the Rise (VOTR) is dedicated to providing the finest possible service and support to the veterans in our care. To ensure that the needs of each veteran are met with the personal and sensitive care they deserve, the VOTR staff engages in a rigorous annual training and continual education regimen. The annual training and continuous education the staff receives ensures that VOTR remains capable of fulfilling our mission to provide the resources and opportunities for each homeless or at-risk veteran to overcome the personal and housing challenges they face in order to achieve maximum self-sufficiency.
Staff
David A. Kurtz — Executive Director
A US Army veteran helicopter pilot, Kurtz is an accomplished business executive who has been a strong advocate for military veterans for over two decades. Before joining VOTR, Kurtz served as the Adjutant (Chief Operating Officer) of the American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, a 501 c (19) non-profit veterans service organization comprised of over 50,000 war-time veterans organized in 507 local posts.
A US Army veteran helicopter pilot, Kurtz is an accomplished business executive who has been a strong advocate for military veterans for over two decades. Before joining VOTR, Kurtz served as the Adjutant (Chief Operating Officer) of the American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, a 501 c (19) non-profit veterans service organization comprised of over 50,000 war-time veterans organized in 507 local posts.
Ruby King - Gregory — Deputy Director
Ruby King-Gregory serves as Deputy Director for Veterans on the Rise in Washington, DC. Ruby has worked in the social service arena for over 30 years. She is passionate about serving others. Ruby is dedicated to providing quality care to families and individuals entrusted to her care. She believes that all are entitled to a better quality of life, while recognizing that entitlement does not manifest without work.
Ruby King-Gregory serves as Deputy Director for Veterans on the Rise in Washington, DC. Ruby has worked in the social service arena for over 30 years. She is passionate about serving others. Ruby is dedicated to providing quality care to families and individuals entrusted to her care. She believes that all are entitled to a better quality of life, while recognizing that entitlement does not manifest without work.
Yvonne Stearns, LICSW, MA, BA - Clinical Supervisor
Ms. Yvonne Stearns received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fisk University-Nashville, Tennessee and Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University-Nashville, Tennessee. Ms. Stearns has extensive experience having worked as program manager at Anchor Mental Health. In addition, Ms. Stearns served as supervisor of the Emergency Psychiatric Response Department for the D.C. Department of Mental Health, as well as serving as Director of Geriatric Services for D.C. Department of Mental Health’s largest geriatric mental health program. In addition, Ms. Stearns was successful in creating an innovative educational partnership with The George Washington University, University of The District of Columbia, and The Catholic University of America, allowing her staff to receive academic training and become Geriatric Fellows. Ms. Stearns’ therapeutic modalities include interventions to trauma, depression, ADHD, PTSD (military), Bipolar, Personality Disorders, Anxiety and Co-occurring Disorders, amongst others.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Stearns has received numerous awards and letters of recognition for exemplary service from various organizations and agencies, including the D.C. Department of Mental Health, as well as from faith and community leaders throughout the City.
Ms. Yvonne Stearns received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fisk University-Nashville, Tennessee and Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University-Nashville, Tennessee. Ms. Stearns has extensive experience having worked as program manager at Anchor Mental Health. In addition, Ms. Stearns served as supervisor of the Emergency Psychiatric Response Department for the D.C. Department of Mental Health, as well as serving as Director of Geriatric Services for D.C. Department of Mental Health’s largest geriatric mental health program. In addition, Ms. Stearns was successful in creating an innovative educational partnership with The George Washington University, University of The District of Columbia, and The Catholic University of America, allowing her staff to receive academic training and become Geriatric Fellows. Ms. Stearns’ therapeutic modalities include interventions to trauma, depression, ADHD, PTSD (military), Bipolar, Personality Disorders, Anxiety and Co-occurring Disorders, amongst others.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Stearns has received numerous awards and letters of recognition for exemplary service from various organizations and agencies, including the D.C. Department of Mental Health, as well as from faith and community leaders throughout the City.
Tema Horton — Lead Case Manager for CERS & SMI
Ms. Horton possesses strong professional skills, over 20 years experience in direct Customer Relations and 7 years experience in the Veteran Assistance arena. She currently serves as Lead Case Manager at Veterans on the Rise for the CERS and SMI programs. Academic and professional honors include; Earned Excellent Service Award; Outstanding Achievement Award; Honors Society Award and Certificates, She has completed extensive training in the social services field including; SNAP; HealthCare; TANF; SSI/SSDI; Mental Health 101; SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery course); SBIRT Training; Motivational, Boundaries and Confidentiality Certificates; certified HMIS Administrator and trainer; DC Fair Housing Certificate; CPR; Food Handlers Certificate and Letter of Completion; DBH Clinical Documentation
Ms. Horton possesses strong professional skills, over 20 years experience in direct Customer Relations and 7 years experience in the Veteran Assistance arena. She currently serves as Lead Case Manager at Veterans on the Rise for the CERS and SMI programs. Academic and professional honors include; Earned Excellent Service Award; Outstanding Achievement Award; Honors Society Award and Certificates, She has completed extensive training in the social services field including; SNAP; HealthCare; TANF; SSI/SSDI; Mental Health 101; SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery course); SBIRT Training; Motivational, Boundaries and Confidentiality Certificates; certified HMIS Administrator and trainer; DC Fair Housing Certificate; CPR; Food Handlers Certificate and Letter of Completion; DBH Clinical Documentation
MSW – Case Manager
Board of Directors
Tamara Alston – Chairperson
A Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, Alston has a well-earned reputation for leveraging organizational culture, people, and systems to achieve efficient and effective operational goals. Spanning over two decades, she has an impactful track record of helping organizations develop and navigate complex government-wide mandates, plans, and executive orders. She is considered an effective thought-leader and expert in organizational policy and strategy.
Stephen Reese – Vice Chair
With over 20 years of experience in Behavioral Health, Reese comes to VOTR with a wealth of knowledge about program management, mental health and substance abuse. He is a subject matter expert on the opioid epidemic and currently works for the DC Department of Health.
Derrick K Davis
A Law Enforcement officer with over 31 years of experience on the job. During his tenure with the department he has attended several trainings with the Department of Behavioral Health being educated on recognizing and dealing with cases of mental illness. He is certified as a Crisis Intervention Officer.
Rodney Griffin
A Financial Advisor, Griffin has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry working with various consulting companies within the government and commercial industry. He currently works as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual where his focus is on wealth management and business planning.
T'Wana L. Holmes
Mrs. Holmes brings her passion to serve and analytical skills to the Board of Directors and has over 30 years of experience coordinating programs and event management. Although, her work was primarily in child advocacy, she brings a strength of community organizing to the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD & TB Administration (HAHSTA)
and the Places of Worship Advisory Board (POWAB). She is the Program Coordinator for
the Ryan White Care & Treatment Division of the HAHSTA where she collaborates with
over 25 community-based partners in collaboration with the DC Case Management Operating Committee.
She also serves with her husband, Associate Pastor Darryl Holmes, at the Christ Way Cathedral, where their motto is to “care with compassion.” They have two grown children and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Holmes is inspired by the philosophy of her previous mentor, “Service is the rent we
pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare
time.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman.
Shoteria Pearson
Shoteria Pearson has over 12 years of increasing responsibility in the realm of public health. She has worked in many areas of public health but has honed skills in health education, health promotion, community health, and community interventions. During her tenure within DC Government, she has worked in policy, women's health and victim services.
A Senior Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education, Alston has a well-earned reputation for leveraging organizational culture, people, and systems to achieve efficient and effective operational goals. Spanning over two decades, she has an impactful track record of helping organizations develop and navigate complex government-wide mandates, plans, and executive orders. She is considered an effective thought-leader and expert in organizational policy and strategy.
Stephen Reese – Vice Chair
With over 20 years of experience in Behavioral Health, Reese comes to VOTR with a wealth of knowledge about program management, mental health and substance abuse. He is a subject matter expert on the opioid epidemic and currently works for the DC Department of Health.
Derrick K Davis
A Law Enforcement officer with over 31 years of experience on the job. During his tenure with the department he has attended several trainings with the Department of Behavioral Health being educated on recognizing and dealing with cases of mental illness. He is certified as a Crisis Intervention Officer.
Rodney Griffin
A Financial Advisor, Griffin has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry working with various consulting companies within the government and commercial industry. He currently works as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual where his focus is on wealth management and business planning.
T'Wana L. Holmes
Mrs. Holmes brings her passion to serve and analytical skills to the Board of Directors and has over 30 years of experience coordinating programs and event management. Although, her work was primarily in child advocacy, she brings a strength of community organizing to the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD & TB Administration (HAHSTA)
and the Places of Worship Advisory Board (POWAB). She is the Program Coordinator for
the Ryan White Care & Treatment Division of the HAHSTA where she collaborates with
over 25 community-based partners in collaboration with the DC Case Management Operating Committee.
She also serves with her husband, Associate Pastor Darryl Holmes, at the Christ Way Cathedral, where their motto is to “care with compassion.” They have two grown children and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Holmes is inspired by the philosophy of her previous mentor, “Service is the rent we
pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare
time.” ~ Marian Wright Edelman.
Shoteria Pearson
Shoteria Pearson has over 12 years of increasing responsibility in the realm of public health. She has worked in many areas of public health but has honed skills in health education, health promotion, community health, and community interventions. During her tenure within DC Government, she has worked in policy, women's health and victim services.
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