Engaging the Community 

The Media and Advocacy Committee works to increase the CoC’s visibility and advance strategies and solutions to reduce homelessness throughout the region. The committee creates a media plan each year with quarterly reviews and updates of media coverage. Activities include developing messages about homelessness to be used in the media, drafting press releases, posting on social media, and pitching stories to the media. All activities adhere to the CoC’s media relations policy.

Responsibilities include:

• Create an annual media plan
• Develop CoC educational resources such as a Centralized Intake flyer, CoC Business Cards, CoC PowerPoint, etc.
• Raise awareness about the CoC via social media
• Draft press releases and pitch stories to the media

Chair: Megan Bly, megan@shenandoahallianceforshelter.org (chair since March 2023)

Deputy Chair: Nate Riddle, nate@valleyopendoors.org (member since December 2022, deputy chair since March 2023)

If you are already a member of the CoC and interested in joining the Media and Advocacy Committee, please contact Megan Bly.

Current Committee Members

Kim Branner, HCHC Care Management (joined June 2024)

Jenny Frye, The Laurel Center (joined October 2024)

Cheryl Franklin, Northwestern Community Services Board (joined April 2025)

Kaitlin Heatwole, HRHA/Western VA CoC (ex oficio)

Allison Henry, HRHA/Western VA CoC (ex oficio)