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Critical Receiving Units – Apr 2022 Update

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | May 1, 2022

June 1, 2022 Update: We have just learned that the General Assembly has included the $2.5m in operating expenses for the new Prince William mental health County Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) into the state's final budget agreement!! This means that VOICE, together with key allies, has organized a total of $10m towards the creation of the desperately-needed CRC. (Prince William County had already approved $7.5 million towards the creation of a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in the County!)...

Housing Facts and Figures – Prince William County

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Apr 20, 2022

The area median income (AMI) for a family of three in the area is $109,200. Home Ownership There are no units in the County available for purchase for households making 30% of AMI or $32,760 and below. The greatest lack of affordably priced housing occurs at about 120% of AMI or average medium income of $131,030. The number of households with income at this level is 2.5 times the number of housing units available. Rental Housing The greatest rental needs are for those making $32,760 or less...

Prince William County Housing

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Apr 20, 2022

Prince William County is experiencing a housing shortage crisis. As part of the County update to the Comprehensive Plan, the County consultants forecast a shortage of 19,000 housing units if nothing changes in current housing zoning and density policies. VOICE – Did You Know? In the last three years, the average home listing prices in Prince William County increased from $422K to $526K. Currently there is roughly one home on the market for every five perspective buyers. Home ownership is...

Elections 2021 – A Message from Fr. John

by VOICE | Oct 11, 2021

A Message from Fr. John Dear parishioners, Very recently we published a message called Faithful Citizenship: Pro-Life. Please take a moment to read this important message as it forms the background to this message. It contains excerpts from the US Bishops document on Faithful Citizenship which goes into more detail as to what issues determine if a person is truly pro-life. As the bishops stated , “ We strongly encourage you to know the candidates and their positions on abortion, Euthanasia....

What is your Election Plan?

by VOICE | Sep 27, 2021

Do you have a plan on where and how you will vote in upcoming November 2 General Election? The St. Francis of Assisi parish VOICE ministry has already sponsored a successful Voter Registration campaign on the weekend of September 25/26 - and now it is time to "Get Out the Vote". You might be a registered Democrat, Republican, or as a non-affiliated voter. But if you are a Catholic it is important to vote. Why as Catholics is it important to vote? Parishes need to promote a revived sense of...

Critical Receiving Units – An Update

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 10, 2021

Advocacy works! As a result of the efforts of VOICE, and others, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors is moving along in their plans to evaluate, design and build Critical Receiving Units (formerly called Crisis Stabilization Units) in the county! The unit would be a place where citizens and law enforcement could bring people experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises instead of to jails or emergency rooms. Why it’s important In the last few months, Virginia closed five...

Parish Voter Registration Drive – 2021

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Aug 18, 2021

Calling all Faithful Citizens! New to Virginia and haven’t had time to register? Moved within Virginia and need to update your voter registration address? Turning 18 on or before November 2, 2021? St. Francis VOICE will be holding a non-partisan voter registration drive for all eligible voters after all masses the weekend of September 25 and 26. Stop by the table to register or register online at https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/virginia/ .... and ALERT: Last day to register is...

VOICE Update – Critical Receiving Units

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jul 22, 2021

Why its Important “In the emergency room. Handcuffed to a gurney. In a hospital gown. For several days straight. That’s where an increasing number of Prince William County residents suffering from severe mental health crises have found themselves as Virginia’s overburdened mental hospitals face limited bed space or have ceased taking new admissions altogether. Often, people wait days in the hospital before an open bed can be found at a mental health facility. And for those who have been...

VOICE – Did you know? Laws that burden the Poor

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jun 25, 2021

Each state sets a statutory definition of which thefts are felonies (punishable by longer sentences in prison) and which are misdemeanors (punishable by shorter sentences in jail). But in many states, the dollar amount separating felony theft from misdemeanor theft has not been increased in years, even though inflation makes the older laws more punitive each year. Virginia is one of those states. Did you know that before 2020, if you were fined by a court, and did not pay that fine within the...

VOICE – Did you know? Crisis Stabilization Unit

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Jun 25, 2021

Any family that has experienced mental health challenges knows that mental health services are needed across a spectrum of capabilities, especially during a crisis. A call to “911” results in a response by police officers. If the family is lucky, they will encounter officers specifically trained for mental health crises. Do you know what happens next? Do you know what options are available to the person, the family or the officer here in Prince William County? Why it's important Not all mental...