Mike Hall is one of those guys who is always working to make life better for others. He established the CARING (Cars Assist Recipients in New Growth ) program. The first of its kind, this car lease/purchase program for welfare recipients is a part of welfare reform. Cars were purchased from state surplus vehicle pools and lease/purchase agreements allowed individuals to own a vehicle within a 12-18 month period without interest – providing welfare recipients access to affordable, reliable transportation to their jobs.
He also served as chairperson of the private non-profit board that created, funded and operated the Brock Hughes Free Clinic. This clinic serves the primary health care, dental care and prescription drug needs of residents of Wythe and Bland Counties who are employed, but lack health care insurance.
In addition, Mike was the founding chairperson of the board that developed and now operates a shelter for homeless/transient individuals/families called the Crossroads Shelter, Inc. As founding board member, he helped to create and develop a shelter, the Family Resource Center, for victims of domestic violence and their children serving a five county/one city catchment area.
Mike also provided leadership to the development and co-location of seven private non-profit human service agencies, known as the Hope Ministry Center, which serves the citizens of Wythe and Bland Counties.
Seeing a need for intensive counseling and parent education services, Mike established the Wythe County Family Services team. This group wrote the grant that provides services for children who are at risk of out of home care. Recently, Mike was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on the task force studying violence in the minority communities in Virginia. The task force will be making policy and legislative recommendations which will seek to address both the causes and possible remedies for violence.
Although some of these organizations that Mike helped create are indirectly connected to his line of work, many of his efforts were accomplished outside of the work day, namely at night or on weekends in his "free" time. Despite the energy and effort that he has put into the oversight of his office and the creation and oversight of these other private non-profit human service agencies, he also managed to devote quality time to his family.
Mike's professional employment, civic involvement in Rotary, One-on-One Literacy, United Way, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and FEMA – as well as his active church leadership – represent extraordinary service commitment to improving the quality of life for numerous people whom he may never meet personally.
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