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Meet Robert Gerino


Seventy-four year old Air Force Veteran Robert Gerino is a prime example of American spirit. He has worked hard all his life and was a part-owner of a transportation company in Tyson’s Corner, before COVID-19.


Robert believes in working with others, and helping where he can. He even provided a portion of the down payment for a house for family members, with the understanding that he could live with them.
Unfortunately, the relationship turned sour, and Robert found himself on the street.


Robert bounced around, living with friends, when the local senior center pointed him to Friendship Place. That’s when things started looking up.


Friendship Place arranged for needed car repairs, so Robert could get around. Friendship Place even found and paid for a home. Case manager Emily Greene stayed in touch, and helped Robert get back on track.


Robert tells us, “If it hadn’t been for Friendship Place, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
Today Robert is enjoying his new home, and is working on plans to re-launch his company. Robert is proud to say that, “I’m grateful to Friendship Place for giving me back my life.”

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Your support for Friendship Place has a lasting impact. In 2023, our programs ended or prevented homelessness for 4,993 people, including 1,507 children in families and 670 veterans. We empowered 167 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to get jobs through innovative, state-of-the-art job placement services. Make a donation today in support of our work to end homelessness. Questions? Please feel free to call our fundraising office, 202.957.7834.

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