Today we're excited to welcome Cost Tree as a new sponsor. You may recall their appearance on episode 124. Thanks to their generous support, we're able to sit down today with Stephanie Berkowitz of the Northern Virginia Family Service. The NVFS is an organization working to strengthen communities in Northern Virginia by providing life-saving tools, resources, and training to those who need it most. NVSF provides a vast array of services to families in need and is constantly searching for additional revenue streams. Stephanie Berkowitz shares some of the struggles her catch-all organization faces and reiterates a point made by many guests on Through the Noise: storytelling is powerful and is the secret to connecting with your audience. Stephanie Berkowitz, M.S.W., was selected to lead NVFS in 2015 after a nationwide search. Stephanie’s 16-year career with NVFS included leading the Survivors’ Fund Project for victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, along with a diverse spectrum of programs serving clients in workforce development, health and mental health, legal assistance and housing programs. Prior to her promotion to president and CEO, Stephanie was Senior Vice President of Programs. Northern Virginia Family Service serves more than 34,000 individuals each year, providing essential programs to lift families above the poverty line and secure brighter futures. NVFS manages three local shelters, offers health and mental health services, runs youth prevention programs, coordinates foster care with local jurisdictions and provides early childhood education.