No Money, No Mission: The Mindset Shift That Saved VOA Florida | Stephanie Vranich

[0:00]  We're here for those people that have just like exhausted all opportunities to get out back on their feet on their own. We are like the best kept secret and I'm tired of hearing it. And that that word no money no mission is it has really like stuck with me cuz I am like oh no no no we will make this mission keep going but I'm like but what at what expense? Right. She has a full-time job now. actually just got promoted to manager and you can just see how like the confidence that she actually has and I was like I hope you know how much you've changed my life. This is why I do what I do is [music] everybody has a story in regards to whether it was good, bad, ugly, but this is what makes us better. [music]

[1:01]  [music]

[1:06]  Welcome back to the Heart and Hustle podcast. Today's guest is Stephanie, which is also here in Central Florida, which is pretty damn cool. Stephanie, if you can name the organization and the role that you play in the formation.

[1:16]  Sure. So, uh, Volunteers of America of Florida and I am the vice president of outreach and development, which means I oversee fundraising and marketing and all that all the fun stuff. I I think

[1:32]  where does it all start? Because fundraising, first of all, is is fun if you're good at it, okay? But if you're not good at it, it it just makes me pull out my hair. So, how did you even get into the fundraising space?

[1:42]  Oh my gosh, it's so intimidating, right? And it's especially we're a $30 million organization and trying to find those funding gaps and things like that. But yeah, I feel like most people it kind of falls into your lap in regards to like that's not what I thought I would do when I was a kid.

[2:01]  Um but yeah, I think I you'll probably notice I'm very outgoing. I love building relationships and honestly that's that's half the battle with fundraising, you know, finding funders and organizations that want to support your your your mission and what you're doing. But yeah, for me, I was doing a lot of volunteer work when I, you know, several years ago. I've been with the organization for 12 years and um so 12 years before or before that uh I was just volunteering in the in the community. I'm here in St. Petersburg, Florida, and uh just loved loved the fact that holy moly, like you can actually have a job doing this and doing something that you actually loved because I did work for corporate America before that. So yeah, it literally just found me and uh I loved it so much. So I love how you said

[2:58]  I have learned a lot. [laughter]

[3:00]  I love how you said you could actually love what you do cuz I used to work in corporate America. What does that mean? Like it wasn't what [laughter]

[3:08]  Yeah. Well, I mean it is funny. I was just thinking about this. We're going through open enrollment right now for health insurance and you meet people that actually love health insurance and what they do, which I totally respect 100%. But yeah, I get to come every day, literally every day of my life, which I love. Um, learning more about the community and the needs that are in the community. So I feel, you know, sitting at a desk punching number. Well, I guess I do punch numbers, but um, you know, being there and that's just not my purpose. My purpose is definitely not that that angle. I love that I can genuinely see the lives that we're impacting. And that's what helps me get up every day, work 12 hours a day basically, cuz it's never ending. My life is chaos, which I love.

[4:04]  With the organization part of it, right, volunteers of America, um, is this that organizations like myself can come and you can help me with volunteers, you can help me with fundraising. What does that look like from the perspective of you guys and those that are out in the world doing the work that may need the volunteers?

[4:19]  I honestly love that you asked that. So, um, the name Volunteers of America, the name is very deceiving. So we are actually not a volunteer organization per se. So we provide housing as long as well as wraparound services to what we call fidians in need. So those are the people that they've tried everything in regards to um finding housing, finding a job so they don't end up homeless. So, our what we love, what our mission is, um we're here for those people that have just like exhausted all opportunities to get out back on their feet on their own. So, we're here in regards to like if you need housing. So, we own a most of um our locations were statewide. So, we have housing,

[5:09]  but what's unique about our organization is it's not just getting a roof over your head. It is about what is happening inside that house. So, we are here to provide services such as case management. Perhaps you know you're a homeless veteran and you're not aware of all these benefits that you absolutely have. So, we're here to just connect the community to opportunities in order for them to get back on their feet cuz we often do say, you know, we're kind of their last resort in regards to they just can't get back on their feet. They just don't have the tools and we have those tools for them.

[5:48]  Yeah. Yeah. Hey, if you're getting value from this conversation, do us a favor and hit that subscribe button. We drop episodes like this regularly and we don't want you to miss a single one. Now, let's get back to it. And I mean 2025 just ended. What did that look like? How many people did you guys were were able to serve last year?

[6:06]  Yeah, so we served over 5,000 people and that involved um homeless veterans, those suffering from mental illness. Um those just they don't maybe they don't have a mental illness but they need affordable housing. So yeah, we're we serve around 5,000 people every year. So, um, yeah. So,

[6:28]  thousand people, multiple programs, I can imagine, right? Like maybe they don't just need housing, they may need other things.

[6:34]  Exactly. Case management um or just those u mental health services um connecting them. So, we have a program called supportive services for veteran families. it's SSVF and that those individuals are not they are not receiving housing per se from us or at our locations but we're connecting them to perhaps landlords that will take you know stipens or be able to you know get that affordable housing um and things like that.

[7:04]  I love this and because you're in the fundraising space I got to kind of ask you what is that that fundraising idea that came up that you came up with that probably people don't do? I mean, we don't need to know all the secrets, but there must be a fundraiser that you do that people didn't think of, but it works. What is it?

[7:19]  Oh, man. So, a lot of people say that direct mail is dead. Um, we

[7:24]  Please don't tell me it's alive. I I am that guy. I'm that guy that says it's dead.

[7:30]  Okay. No, and that's absolutely fine. However, so Volunteers of America, the demographic of those that are giving to us right now are still in that age group of they want to get that mail. They want to see those those beautiful faces not on their email. They're like, "Oh, I get so many emails." So, we do. We still actually send out direct mail pieces to your door. However, in my opinion, I'm very graphic. Like, I love to like let's give them something that makes them want to open it. So, that's decorating having a cool graphic on the front of the envelope.

[8:06]  Um, yeah, things like that. Also, impact stories. You have to share an impact story where if you want a donor to give to you, bring them into that story that if it wasn't because of if it wasn't for them, this so and so wouldn't be able to happen. And that is happening in our case a lot of times. It's our individual donors that we rely on so heavily in order for us to provide many many things outside of what we get for our federal especially our federal grants. A lot of grants are so restricted and we have to focus on this small component when we have this component that needs help. Um, and that's why we rely. So, we do we do do direct mail. Definitely balling on a budget. Balling on a budget, my friend. [laughter]

[9:00]  I would not be able to tell my board this conversation happened because I am, you know, the data that we've had, right? And data is everything. Data kind of helps drive. So, I told you we have about a 30-year-old organization and everything I go back to

[9:15]  data wise, it's a home address. Yeah.

[9:17]  Like there's not a cell phone number. And I thought to myself, why the heck do we not have cell phone numbers? Because I this is also the easiest way to communicate.

[9:24]  I know. Yes, I agree.

[9:26]  So, I'm not I just don't and and maybe because at for me mail I'll look at it my bills. All right, cool. I guess maybe a letter from your old high school could be what? Why are they reaching out to me? This is maybe maybe that's a game. Maybe that's a play right there. So, maybe I'll try it.

[9:40]  But, um it's funny because I I do be thinking that it is dead. But when we think about our donors, it is class of 1972. class of 1978, you know, those that have

[9:51]  just don't have anything else to do at the moment and they just want to get back to their old alma moers at the

[9:57]  And I totally agree with you. I mean, you can't just rely on one way of communicating with your donors. Like, so we do do a lot of emailers, so we're doing um digital direct mail and um but also social media. I've really increased the way that we're doing like Facebook ads and things like that which we're getting traction of people finding us because it is the next generation are they're coming up and they're ready and they are like don't send me a piece of mail. Like I mean mind you if I get mail I'm putting in my recycle bin but [laughter] Exactly. But it is like that generation is absolutely like a little offended that we're wasting paper. Um so it is it's knowing your audience but I think all of us including yourself I mean we're really trying to get into those like 30 20 year 20 30 year olds because they are so caused driven. Um so it is it's learning like what is what's grabbing their attention. So, but we still have to take care of the ones that are are baby boomers that are also cause driven but in a different way

[11:11]  because you said it. I think differently because you said it now. How about that? Now, I'm going to go through the board said, "Hey, remember those mailers you guys talked about?" Yeah, we could definitely do them. Um,

[11:19]  can I say, not to interrupt, I'm so sorry because I interrupted you, but can I say like it is all about the graphics and making sure especially like just think of it. So try it with your envelope something enticing like oo I need to open this or a weird size that makes them want to open it. So okay that's my last

[11:38]  maybe I mean I'm just here thinking right because it is about creativity. It is about the difference and I think we have these like little eagle pins you know little.

[11:47]  So maybe we just drop one of those right with something in there so they feel like wait what's in it? They got they got to open it now there's something in there right and maybe I

[11:55]  I like that.

[11:56]  Can I tell you? So, I created magnets and these magnets will fit in the envelope. And mind you, I know a lot of us maybe we don't put stuff on our refrigerator, but if I showed you my wall right now, like I actually put random stuff on my wall to, you know, inspire me every day. But we created magnets. Oh my gosh, they're very inexpensive, but it says proud supporter and it has pictures of all the various people that we assist. So

[12:26]  ideas, I love him. Um, okay. This is really good. This is though I think we're in a space right now and you guys may be experiencing this where cut to happening, right? Uh, and everyone's trying to pivot. How do we get into this raising funds because if not, we're we're losing people. We're losing program. So, I love that we're having this conversation because it gives people just those small ideas and sometimes we're so focused on what's happening now that we can't see around us. So, I love that we have you um you know here and having these conversations. Where are you guys at when it comes to just fundings? Are you guys strictly government funded? Are you guys looking more philanthropic? Uh like where you guys at on that?

[13:04]  Yeah. No, we the majority of our funding is federal funding. We get grant um funding from HUD as well as the VA. Um, we're actually in crisis mode right now in regards to we have six grants due for our transitional housing for homeless veterans due today at 4:00. So, but here

[13:26]  as I said, my life is always chaos. But, um, it's okay. We have teams working on it. I told them I'm like, I have this very important podcast to be on spreading the word. But um it is it's very scary times and I will tell you it's you know we're especially HUD right now um they are going through lawsuits in regards to permanent supportive housing. It still hasn't been resolved. We have funding until um July 1st. Um and with permanent supportive housing it's paying people's rent but also providing the services. Um, we think we'll be good to go for this next coming up fiscally or this um this uh funding, but next year they may be changing it to where it's not permanent housing. It has to be a transitional housing,

[14:19]  you know, population, which is scary for us because we are like, no, the population we serve, they can't be in transition. And anyway, um, but yeah, it is scary. That is one of the things that we continue to work on is finding foundations um you know individual donors that are willing that believe in our mission and do want to help us um kind of get away from federal grants but it's not I mean it's the majority of our funding here at VA. I there's so many different programs you talked about and some of the services you guys offer which is really good and it's like I

[14:59]  I'm always a big believer that sometimes the resource are in our own backyard and we just don't know they exist.

[15:05]  Exactly.

[15:05]  However, from the organizational part of it, it's like how do we get the word out there? How do we communicate better? Right. You mentioned mailers. Like we can try all these different things but there's still a huge need. Like are we really knocking on the right doors? Can they hear us? Do they see us? Like what does that look like from an organization standpoint? How many years you guys been around now?

[15:26]  Yeah. Oh my gosh. So, we are celebrating 130 years in next month as VA as a national, but we've been um the Florida affiliate has actually been present since 1914.

[15:40]  Um but we've been an affiliate since 92. It's all I know that was a lot of like word salad. So, I'm

[15:46]  even 92. I think about it. I'm a born in the 90, you know. Yeah, that's still a long time. Okay. About to be 36 this year, just letting you know.

[15:54]  Oh my gosh. [laughter] Um, yeah. So, I love that you said that because I I'll tell you when we became an affiliate, um, marketing, promotion wasn't a high priority. It was serving the people, um, ensuring that they do have that roof over their heads. So when I came on board 12 years ago, there was no outreach and development or there was no outreach and development department.

[16:23]  So our new CEO who's now been here 13 years, so she became but she's been with the organization for 30. Um she really was like we are like the best kept secret and I'm tired of hearing it.

[16:38]  So that's when she was like we need a department. We need to start the trainings. we need, you know, it was like we gotta get this established. So, I actually very honored to be um part of the team that actually started this department. And

[16:54]  once again, I've learned so much. But it is we're we're all about um it's all about networking. We're we have over 60 programs statewide and we're in over 80 cities. It's about getting our programs that are direct service to also because I'm a team of three. So, we can't be everywhere at once. So, it is about getting those programs to get out there and make sure our community knows who we are. So, that's half the battle battle, right? Like

[17:28]  sharing that, you know, information and and just telling people that we're here and the amazing work that we do. It shouldn't be a secret.

[17:36]  Yeah. And I I forgot to actually say this earlier, but just so that she can kind of cringe when you hear this,

[17:42]  okay,

[17:43]  mission statements, right? We talked about impact stories. So I was talking to who is now currently the VP. She's been on the board for a long time and she says, "Ephra, yeah, the mission the mission of we make money to give money." And I was like, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no. That is not the mission. That you cannot ask somebody say, "Hey, can you give us $1,000? What is the mission?" We make money to spend money. What? That doesn't even make any I was so mad. Yeah. See, that's why you're here to make, you know, but this is what we've heard for the last couple of years. I'm like, oh my god. No, they there is those stories, impact stories, right? That just that gets people tugs them at the heart. I feel like we sell stories. That's what our service

[18:22]  Oh my gosh, 100%. You want to like connect with a person cuz maybe you talk about homelessness and they're just like, uh, homelessness, whatever. But then when you start talking about mental health and the fact that like they correlate and most likely they have someone that they know that suffers from some kind of mental health disorder. So yeah, you're connecting and that's yeah I 100% agree. Um we actually just went through this um thing within the executive team where it's like no money no mission and

[19:00]  I will tell you we have struggled because we were like if we don't have money we're still moving this mission forward. We've had to kind of change our way of thinking because it is like but listen guys like we need to keep raising funds because our mission is here but we're doing a lot of work that we're basically doing for free. So we have like the biggest heart here at the Florida affiliate but it is like how do we fix this in regards to like we do need to concentrate more on growing my department. [laughter]

[19:37]  Yeah. And um so yeah, it's it's so hard because and that that word no money no mission is it has really like stuck with me because I am like oh no no no we will make this mission keep going but I'm like but at what expense right

[19:55]  yeah that's what it and I'm kind of in that same situation it's like we're not making any money so what are we doing you know when people come ask you for money it's hard to be like I don't really have those funds right now right when you want to give

[20:09]  um and it is it's a pivoting season for so much I think it's an eye opener just like the pandemic I think shifted a lot of us in our mindsets this is another shift for nonprofits and for the healthcare industry in general a lot of them looking at to I AI solutions a lot of them

[20:24]  really f I've seen some fold actually you know here in Orlando at least you know that um had to fold because they just couldn't survive so it's definitely some tough times but this is where you got to get gota roll up your sleeves Right. You got to put in the work and in a nonprofit play three, four roles until we can find replacements for

[20:44]  Oh, friend, [laughter] how many hats do I wear? But like I said, you have to love what you do, though, or else you will. You'll go crazy. You'll be like, but I think I I think I love the chaos secretly. Don't tell anybody else.

[20:59]  Well, well, listen, the reason why, right, is we love the chaos because then we hear a story. We talked about stories. You talked about uh that impact. What is that story that still resonates with you that still fuels you that it's not about money, right? It's about passion and purpose. You continue to say that over and over. What is that story that still drives you that if anything goes wrong, you go to that story and said, "This is why I do it."

[21:20]  Oh my gosh. So, we recently um oh, it was just two years ago. We recently um moved our admin office on site to one of our newest projects or programs called Innovar. It's here in St. Pete. And I will tell you, meeting the the participants that live with us now, meeting them on day one and seeing them two years later has just been a like mindblowing. I mean, I actually was just meeting with someone yesterday and we were talking about I had done like a video with her and just seeing like how quiet she was and didn't have really much to say and it was very like pulling teeth. And then we did another interview yesterday and just seeing her smile and seeing her talk about her kids that her daughter actually graduated high school from here. Like I mean when she initially moved in, she graduated two years ago. She's about to graduate and being able to be a full-on um massage therapist. Like just seeing that impact and having the ability to give them opportunities just like when she first moved in, she wanted a job so bad but was struggling, doesn't have transportation, was barely like making ends meet. She was actually fully on homeless before she moved in with us. She has a full-time job now, actually just got promoted to manager. And you can just see how like the confidence that she actually has. I mean, I was literally in tears and I was like, "I'm so sorry." And I had to explain to her. I'm like, "I hope," cuz she's like, "You guys have changed my life." And I'm like, I looked at her and I was like, "I hope you know how much you've changed my life."

[23:07]  Being able to see how much you've grown and how much you know you're worthy of the housing that you have now and all the blessings that you have now that you didn't have two years ago.

[23:19]  Yep.

[23:20]  Okay. Sorry,

[23:21]  that was good. No, I I love I love that. I love um sometimes people just need to feel heard.

[23:28]  Yes.

[23:29]  Right. Feel seen.

[23:31]  Thank you for saying that.

[23:32]  And I think that that's what she was so grateful for. Someone someone heard her,

[23:37]  someone listened and then what that does for somebody mentally, like now you're telling me, you know, her family's doing well. Yeah.

[23:45]  And what that will continue to do is really that ripple effect because one, if somebody's ever in need, she knows where to go, right? Hey, I got this great organization. Yes.

[23:53]  Um, but two, she's really getting to speak from experience and and that's what like

[23:58]  of the sexual abuse, the adoption. I mean, you just even talked about a a woman homeless. To this day, my mom is still homeless, right? And and and for women, they don't want that, right? That is that you one thing I heard and I didn't realize is that you never really see a homeless woman

[24:14]  because of they they they hide because with their kids, they don't want to be seen, right? Yeah. And it's so true. and I sat here and and it hurts me. But then I love that there's organizations like yours that say, "Hey, we get it. Life happens."

[24:25]  Yeah.

[24:26]  Life life is what we like to say.

[24:28]  But there's still opportunity, you know, and I always think that even about my biological mom. It's like one day I'm going to have this conversation. I don't know exactly where she's at, but one day I'm have the conversation and say, "You still have opportunity."

[24:39]  Yeah.

[24:39]  There's organizations that are wanting to help you, but you have to want it yourself. And I love like that you guys are in this space just helping people at that level because not everyone's you know the pandemic even changed that like everyone struggled through those times whether it was mentally financially like you know it was a shift in their lives from having to work from a you know corporate center to now from home people don't don't

[25:06]  people barely had anywhere to work from what do you mean you want me to work from home I don't even have a home this is my home right so uh the shift that you guys provide, you know, and still providing, like you said, the unknown secret. We We got to get more people to know about you guys. Are you guys have any events coming up? Fundraising events? Yeah, let's talk about

[25:24]  I actually have um a golf event that is happening on Saturday. See, look it. I'm chaos. Um we have a golf event that's happening on um Saturday in Ocala. And um that one's to support our Ocala Ritz Veterans Village. So that is for homeless veterans that we serve in Ocala. And then in April, we're actually doing a visionaries of impact breakfast um here in St. Well, yeah, St. Pete, so Tampa Bay area. We're just gonna bring like 200 close friends, new friends, um learn about what we do and share some testimonials and just kind of celebrate our 130 years, our 130th birthday. Um but yeah, just bringing awareness of what we do. Uh, and hopefully new people that want to be part of our mission and moving it forward.

[26:16]  I love that. And just said Tampa, and I'm just a nerd, so this is has nothing to do with the hell we were just talking about, but

[26:23]  I love you.

[26:24]  You just mentioned Tampa, like that Tampa area, and in May, so it all just clicked. So there's I don't know if you watch wrestling, but I'm a big wrestling fan. And Saturday, May 10th, they're going to be in Tampa. So, you know, it's going to be crazy.

[26:38]  WWE Yes.

[26:40]  Can I tell you very quickly? So last year when they were here, they actually came to our Tampa office, our Tampa program, we had three wrestlers and um they provided a lunch and it was hilarious. And I even have they provided a belt. So we have a WWE belt like hanging out. I'm

[27:01]  Oh my gosh. So anyway, hm fingers crossed maybe they'll choose us again to like have a little fun.

[27:08]  You got some time. You better reach out. Whatever.

[27:10]  I know. I know. Hey,

[27:11]  but I will call you a dork.

[27:14]  As you're a dork and out.

[27:16]  Listen, I Well, I didn't I don't know if you know outside of just and it's I can't believe I'm in this world. When you talk about doing things that you love, right? When you talk about just believing in yourself, knowing your worth, right? Um I I found myself in a place that I'm doing something that makes me happy and I feel very at peace and it it probably makes me a dork. However, I was I love systems. I love automations. I love just giving back, but I love wrestling. And wrestling to me was the escape from reality as I was growing up as I was as I was going through the sexual abuse and adoption in my home because that's where it was happening. So wrestling was always that escape from reality. Watched my whole life. When I left my mom's home at 18 years old, I stopped watching it for some years. And then when I got back into a relationship, it's what kept me grounded. Like I got in a relationship and I picked back wrestling up again. And then I was watching and watching all these years. And um I just one time found myself falling asleep within the first 30 minutes of the show cuz I was laying down on the couch and once my head hits the pillow I'm out. All right,

[28:15]  I feel you. I feel you.

[28:16]  I was falling asleep. But I also was doing podcasts already and I seen this guy build a community online and he would have like 500 people on his live, you know, and and just build a community. So I said, you know, I can do this. Like why can I do it? So, I tried and I remember how cringe I go back and watch these videos, but it was the one, you know, person watching my brother. Now, I have about 80,000 followers on Tik Tok. I have about 2,000. Like, just in the last 30 days, I probably reached over 2, three million views across platforms. Now, I'm getting invited to Tik Tok events. Now, I'm interviewing wrestlers. Now, so, it goes back to those that are watching. You got to find what you love. It's not about the money. I never and now I'm getting paid to do this actually.

[29:00]  Even better, right? And I'm like, what happens when you start to tap in and be yourself authentically you? And that's what I love about you, Stephanie, cuz the first day I met you, this is who you were. We didn't even know each other. No.

[29:13]  And that's why I said you're in good hands. This podcast,

[29:16]  we're going to be gray, Stephanie, together. So, no, I love it. I just I am a dork when it comes to wrestling. I just

[29:23]  No, you're fine cuz I'm a dork when it comes to Candy Crush. Like I'm psycho candy.

[29:28]  You still playing that game?

[29:30]  It's so embar I was playing it this morning. Like I'm I'm such a dork.

[29:35]  That's what like calms me. Like that's what I'm like I don't even have to be thinking and then I'll be like squirrel and like start checking my email and then I'll go back to it.

[29:43]  My wife tells me I have a squirrel brain. So

[29:46]  you're good.

[29:47]  I hear you.

[29:49]  I hear you. Even though she's the one that leaves all the cabinet doors open in my kitchen. So who really

[29:54]  My husband would kill me. My husband would kill me.

[29:59]  She knows I'm mad. I go in and I'm doo doo doo doo. She's like, why you so mad? Why are all these cabinets open

[30:05]  like as you hit your head on one or you're like this is why?

[30:10]  Stephanie, as we start to wrap these things up, you kind of talked about the golf event. Um, we talked about some things like mailers to go out. What do you leave those that are right now in just that mental state of the unknown? Right. We brought so much energy. Um, and hopefully they've they've felt the energy, but mentally how they what should they be thinking, where they should be going to even move past this because it's a hard time for a lot of people out there that are in this space.

[30:39]  Yeah. No, it is. I have colleagues that are angry about like the administration and things that are happening and you kind of just like okay like we need to focus on the right now and just know like this isn't the end story and just realizing that I don't know I am such a I'm so I I don't like negative energy. I just continue to be in a space of everything's going to be okay. I believe like everything happens for a reason and you know it is it's very hard. These are really hard times, but just keeping the faith that um we're in God's hands and I think that this journey doesn't define us and um what this is what is happening and and that's the you know this is why I do what I do is everybody has a story in regards to whether it was good, bad, ugly, but this is what makes us better is you know learning off of those experiences. And hopefully you do. Some people don't. It takes them several times to learn. But um but yeah, I just I I can't be in a negative space. Like I just can't like what I mean that would just send me, you know, into depression and whatnot. But just knowing everything's happening for a reason and it's going to be okay. It really is.

[32:07]  Be patient. Stay consistent, right?

[32:08]  Exactly. Yeah.

[32:10]  I love it. What could people find more about the organization if they wanted to know more about also you? Maybe you're on LinkedIn, so you want to share those socials. I am. I am on LinkedIn. It's uh Stephanie Ramsden Ranic. [laughter] But um yeah, I'm on LinkedIn. But yeah,

[32:24]  you're laughing at your husband's last name.

[32:26]  I No, that's my Ramston. Ramston's my maiden name. I always kept it cuz So I've been married for almost 24 years. But I laugh because back then when I created those accounts, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I want people from high school and, you know, college days to be able to find me." Now I'm like I am so Yeah, it's been a while.

[32:48]  Um Oh, so and then florida vo florida.org. Definitely find us. I really want people to learn more about us. Um we do love volunteers, so don't get me wrong, we do take volunteers. Um but yeah, share your treasures. If you have if you're in the space to provide a monetary donation or even inind donations, we're always looking for hygiene items, food, um even clothing, um all of those things. But our website has all of our various locations. Um yeah, just keeping in mind we're we're serving those in need, those that um and at their time. We're not a cookie quarter cookie cutter organization. We look at each individual as individuals. Everybody has their own story and I can't say it enough. So, um, but yeah, come one, come all. We love, uh, we love adding people to our VAF family is what I always tell people.

[33:46]  I love it. Well, Stephanie, I definitely appreciate your time. I love what you guys are doing at the organization level. Does definitely doesn't go unnoticed. people like myself that kind of have family experiencing it is always just um

[33:57]  heartfelt when I see especially the excitement that comes out of your face you know like I think that's one one thing I enjoyed through this whole conversation was you were smiling the whole time your energy was contagious like and if this is you I can imagine everyone that is also part of the organization that matters right so I can imagine just by talking to you that you guys have a great team o over there right yeah

[34:20]  I need to be a part of that team it's It's laughter. Couldn't imagine some crying. I'm a crybaby, by the way.

[34:25]  Oh, yeah. I try not to be, but it's really

[34:27]  I don't know when I became I don't know if it was in my 30s. I just started becoming emotional, but Lord, I get [laughter]

[34:35]  guys, my name is Era. This has been Stephanie. Stephanie, thank you so much. We'll have to do this again. Make sure you guys follow, like, and subscribe, and we'll catch you guys on the next one. Latest.