About Us

A local shelter built around dignity, safety, and the path home.

Menchville House Ministries is Newport News' family emergency shelter focused on helping families regain stability through temporary housing, case management, and compassionate support.

Founded in 1998Serving families on the Virginia Peninsula for more than two decades.

62 shelter bedsTemporary family rooms designed for safety, dignity, and stability.

4,000+ families servedA long local history of helping parents and children rebuild.

Referral-based shelterFamilies enter through the Housing Crisis Hotline and coordinated entry.

The founders whose vision became Menchville House.

Our Story

Started for women and children. Expanded for families rebuilding their lives.

Menchville House began in 1998 as the vision of three women to establish a shelter for homeless women and their children. The community helped transform an apartment building into a group home, and the first family moved in during April 2001.

Today, Menchville House serves homeless families through private family rooms, coordinated entry partnerships, trauma-informed case management, and supportive services designed to help children and parents stabilize together.

What We Do

Temporary shelter with a practical path toward permanent housing.

Menchville House helps families work toward stable income, affordable housing, positive life changes, and long-term self-sufficiency through case management, housing navigation, employment support, financial literacy, healthcare assistance, and children and youth services.

Emergency shelterHousing FirstTrauma-informedFamily-centered

Housing First

Shelter is one step in a larger housing plan. Staff help families reduce barriers, gather documents, apply for housing, and work toward a permanent place to call home.

Trauma-Informed

Families are met with dignity, structure, and compassion during crisis. The environment is designed to support safety, trust, and steady progress.

Family-Centered

Children's routines, school needs, safety, and sense of belonging are central to the work, while parents receive support toward income and housing goals.

Referral-Based

Families access shelter through the Housing Crisis Hotline and coordinated entry, helping ensure placements are matched to eligibility, needs, and available space.

Employees

The people who walk with families day by day.

Meet the Menchville House team supporting shelter operations, case management, youth services, administration, hospitality, and the daily care that helps families move forward.

Executive Director

Ann Ruffin

Leads Menchville House's mission, partnerships, fundraising, staff support, and long-term strategy for serving families.

Bookkeeper

Mark Castonguay

Supports financial records, bookkeeping, reporting, and the behind-the-scenes accountability that keeps programs moving.

Case Manager

Jennifer Perkins

Works directly with families on goals, resources, documents, housing barriers, and steps toward long-term stability.

Youth Services Case Manager

Cyrah Brown

Focuses on children's needs, school routines, youth support, family connection, and services that help children feel safe.

Administrative Manager

Victoria Cossitt

Keeps office systems, communications, records, scheduling, and administrative details organized for the team.

Resident Manager

Amy Pate

Supports daily shelter life, resident needs, routines, safety, and a respectful environment for families.

Resident Manager

Lakeita Penn

Helps residents navigate day-to-day shelter expectations, immediate needs, and the steady routines of shared housing.

AARP Front Desk Coordinator

Crystal

Welcomes visitors, supports front desk communication, and helps families, donors, and partners connect with staff.

AARP Comfort & Hospitality Coordinator

Jane

Helps create a warm, orderly, and welcoming environment where families can feel cared for during a difficult season.

AARP Facilities Coordinator

Jessie

Supports building care, practical maintenance needs, and facility readiness so the shelter remains safe and functional.

Board of Directors

Community leadership supporting the mission.

These volunteer leaders bring experience from education, public service, finance, housing, healthcare, energy, human services, and the military to help steward the mission with care and accountability.