Do I need to be Christian or have been impacted by incarceration to receive help?
No to both, and we are so glad you asked! Although we are a Christian organization, we serve all communities equally, regardless of race, sex, or creed. The Butterfly Project is here for every family impacted by homelessness, poverty, and crisis, whatever the cause. Through this work we also raise awareness of incarceration, which can set these challenges in motion and weighs heavily on the entire family. Wherever your family is right now, we would love to walk with you. Start on our Get Help page, read more on Who We Serve, or reach out through Contact.
What does The Butterfly Project provide?
We help with essential items and financial and emotional education for all families impacted by homelessness, poverty, and crisis. Most shelters need help supplying essential items, so we step in with essential items and supplemental support. We do not provide housing, shelter, or financial support beyond education at this time, but our Get Help pages point you to the people who do.
How do I get shelter?
In our region, shelter is reached through the hotlines or by working with a case manager. If you are experiencing homelessness or are within three days of losing your housing, call the Homeless Connection Line at 804-972-0813. Even leaving a voicemail with your contact information makes a big difference. Calling a shelter directly will not put you in line. Beds go first come, first served to people who went through the hotline and secured their place in line, then by availability and your unique needs, such as man, woman, or family. See Shelter Within The GRCoC for the full process.
What is a crisis service, and how is that different from what you do?
A crisis service gives immediate help when someone is in danger or in acute distress, such as the 988 Suicide And Crisis Lifeline, 911, and hotlines for situations like domestic violence. These are available right away, often at any hour. The Butterfly Project is not a crisis or counseling service. We offer everyday practical support, including essential items and financial and emotional education, and we help families find the right resources. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 any hour, or call 911 for an emergency. You can find local mental health support on our Mental Health page.
What is the difference between jail and prison?
Jail is run locally, by a city, county, or region. It usually holds people who have been arrested and are waiting for court, people who cannot pay bail, and people serving short sentences, generally less than a year.
Prison is run by a state or the federal government. It holds people who have been convicted and sentenced, usually to more than a year. In Virginia, state prisons are operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
A person may be moved from jail to prison after sentencing. Visiting rules, phone and video options, and how to send mail or money are different at each facility, so check with the facility directly. Details can vary by state. Learn more from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Why don’t you accept used items?
Though we understand, from an environmental and empathetic perspective, why someone would want to give used items, nothing feels better than having something you can call your own. When something has been lived in, you feel it, and you can never fully settle into those shoes, that shirt, and so on. It is about giving back dignity and confidence while being considerate and respectful of each person’s experience.
Some people feel that because someone is in need, they should be grateful for whatever quality of item they receive. We respectfully see it differently: being in need does not lower the standard someone deserves. People can be deeply grateful and still deserve something good.
Used items we do accept:
- Gently used furniture, décor, and artwork with no stains or smells, from a smoke-free, bed bug-free, roach-free home, cleaned before donating
- Refurbished, working technology such as computers and tablets
- Used vehicle donations
We also gladly accept Bibles in AMP, CSB, KJV, NIV, NKJV, and NLT, including children’s versions. Everything else we ask to be brand new. See the new items we do accept on our Amazon wish list, and the full list of items we do not accept.
What should I know about donations?
Are they tax-deductible? Yes. The Butterfly Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 43-2593697, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Can I give monthly? Yes. A monthly gift helps ensure we are consistently helping those in need. You can choose a monthly gift on our Donate page.
Do you offer refunds? Donations are non-refundable. Every gift is put to work right away for the families we serve. If you have a question about a donation, please contact us and we will be glad to help.
I donated and received a gift in the mail. Is this for me? Yes, it is for you! It is our way of saying thank you. We are so grateful for you!
How can I volunteer, partner with you as a sponsor, or reach you?
A partner is a sponsor: a business, church, school, or organization that makes a significant, ongoing gift and is recognized for it. We would love to hear from you! Visit Get Involved or Contact us. Call 804-685-8801 or email info@the-butterfly-project.org, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. We are closed on all major holidays and on biblical holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and we observe a weekly Sabbath rest. We are an ecumenical Christian organization. In a fast-moving world, we believe in slowing down and resting, and we are committed to providing these resources so those in need can rest too.
