Making the Community Stronger: Meet Melinda & Howard Speight
The 2017 wildfires that devastated Napa Valley also proved just how strong our community is when we join together. New residents at the time, Melinda and Howard did just that and quickly became involved in rebuilding our community and helping struggling families through Cope.
Melinda first came to Cope when we were helping to distribute emergency financial assistance to those who had been affected by the fires. The work made a huge impact on her. "I was so impressed with the way Cope shifted its focus to support victims of the fires, putting the needs of the community first,."
Since then, she and Howard have been strong advocates for Cope and all the children and families we serve. Having been a teacher for 20 years, Melinda had firsthand experience with how impactful our work is. "I witnessed how important it is for children to have a stable, supportive environment with basic needs met in order to be better able to succeed in school."
Today Melinda and Howard are volunteers, donors and ambassadors for Cope. "Supporting Cope is important to us because it gives us a way to be involved in the larger Napa community. Most recently, we have been looking for a way to respond and contribute to those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. By making a monthly donation through the Support Squad, I know that a capable and caring team will be putting this money to the best use to support families."
When I donate to Cope, I know that a committed and capable support staff along with their volunteers is strengthening the Napa community by being there for families during stressful situations and life events."