Janice Coe is a guardian angel for many struggling families and individuals in the region. The Leesburg resident and social worker is a tireless advocate for the homeless who will often take individuals or families into her own home and help connect them with lifesaving services. On any given day, she has dozens of coats in her car that she passes out as she meets people in need.
Last year, the Washington Post wrote about Janice’s extraordinary efforts to find a home for a young mother of a toddler and a newborn that was sleeping at the New Carrollton Metro station. Upon learning of her, Janice brought the mother and her children to Loudoun and paid for them to stay at a local hotel. She then helped the mother sign up for food stamps and other aid and find housing.
This year, Janice found herself needing help after she lost her job and could not afford a new roof. Her ongoing acts of kindness inspired more than a dozen of her neighbors and friends to nominate her for DryHome’s 11th Annual Free Roof for The Holidays program.
One of the nominations we had received was quoted as saying: “She has been exemplary in being there for the less fortunate… living her life by example, Janice shows what it is to be a giving and loving individual.” Another commented: “She’s taken homeless persons (and families) into her home. I am nominating her so that she can continue to advocate for the homeless and provide refuge out of her own home when called upon.”
“We took these nominations to heart. Janice is an amazing person whose generosity has saved and changed lives. We were honored to be able to ease her burden by giving the gift of a new roof,” said Steve Gotschi, president, DryHome.
