Meet the Staff who are dedicated to helping those in need…
bridging the gap, one family at a time.
Cleo Rush, Founder & Executive Director
Cleo Rush has always had the passion to help and serve those who were in need since she was a young child. She organized community events as teenager to help people in her neighborhood. As a young adult she worked with the Tidewater communities (now Hampton Roads) continuing to her mission. Along side of her father, the late Woodgee Smith, she worked at Gladiators Home for Aged & Holiday Home for the Elderly. Holiday Home for the Elderly served as a half-way house for residents from Eddington, NC along with patients from Central & Eastern State Hospitals; who had no one to take them in and no home to go to. She worked at Commonwealth Construction Co, where she worked on marketing campaigns, payroll, project manager and personnel director for all drivers and grounds staff. She worked in over nine Hampton Roads and New Jersey hospitals as a secretary for different medical departments.
In 1990, Mrs. Rush founded Salem Acres. A residential home for the elderly, located in Virginia Beach. On several occasions Salem Acres was mistaken for a shelter and out of her sense of compassion Mrs. Rush had decided to help by sheltering these referrals from different city agencies. While talking with these families and individuals she discovered that there was much more that needed to be done besides providing them with a place to sleep for a night or two. Basic shelter was not the only answer that these families needed. Lack of shelter was not the cause of homelessness, but other factors such as budgeting problems, family problems, divorce/separation, loss of income, lack of child care and lack of supportive intervention services. She began transitioning the business from Salem Acres to Friends of the Elderly Non Profit Foundation. On July 15, 1991 she opened the doors for transitional housing in the Ocean View section of Norfolk.
Mrs. Rush is a native of Norfolk (Virginia) and a graduate of Booker T. Washington H.S. Mrs. Rush graduated from the Norfolk Skills Center- Medical Secretary Program and Administrative Training. Through the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs (Richmond & Washington DC), she attended ten (10)-fifteen (15) training programs regarding the elderly, adults and children.
Cleo Rush has always had the passion to help and serve those who were in need since she was a young child. She organized community events as teenager to help people in her neighborhood. As a young adult she worked with the Tidewater communities (now Hampton Roads) continuing to her mission. Along side of her father, the late Woodgee Smith, she worked at Gladiators Home for Aged & Holiday Home for the Elderly. Holiday Home for the Elderly served as a half-way house for residents from Eddington, NC along with patients from Central & Eastern State Hospitals; who had no one to take them in and no home to go to. She worked at Commonwealth Construction Co, where she worked on marketing campaigns, payroll, project manager and personnel director for all drivers and grounds staff. She worked in over nine Hampton Roads and New Jersey hospitals as a secretary for different medical departments.
In 1990, Mrs. Rush founded Salem Acres. A residential home for the elderly, located in Virginia Beach. On several occasions Salem Acres was mistaken for a shelter and out of her sense of compassion Mrs. Rush had decided to help by sheltering these referrals from different city agencies. While talking with these families and individuals she discovered that there was much more that needed to be done besides providing them with a place to sleep for a night or two. Basic shelter was not the only answer that these families needed. Lack of shelter was not the cause of homelessness, but other factors such as budgeting problems, family problems, divorce/separation, loss of income, lack of child care and lack of supportive intervention services. She began transitioning the business from Salem Acres to Friends of the Elderly Non Profit Foundation. On July 15, 1991 she opened the doors for transitional housing in the Ocean View section of Norfolk.
Mrs. Rush is a native of Norfolk (Virginia) and a graduate of Booker T. Washington H.S. Mrs. Rush graduated from the Norfolk Skills Center- Medical Secretary Program and Administrative Training. Through the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs (Richmond & Washington DC), she attended ten (10)-fifteen (15) training programs regarding the elderly, adults and children.
Audreka L. Hairston, Assistant Director
Audreka L.Hairston serves as the foundation's Assistant Administrator. Mrs. Hairston previously worked for Salem Acres from 1991-1994. As the Assistant Administrator she coordinates the various programs for the foundation.
Mrs. Hairston in a native of Virginia Beach and a graduate of Green Run Highschool and is a Certified Clinical Medial Assistant; certified in Medication Management (including the Insulin Module) & Phlebotomist.
Audreka L.Hairston serves as the foundation's Assistant Administrator. Mrs. Hairston previously worked for Salem Acres from 1991-1994. As the Assistant Administrator she coordinates the various programs for the foundation.
Mrs. Hairston in a native of Virginia Beach and a graduate of Green Run Highschool and is a Certified Clinical Medial Assistant; certified in Medication Management (including the Insulin Module) & Phlebotomist.
Grady W. Morton, Procurement Officer
Grady Morton has been with Friends of the Elderly Non Profit Foundation for over 20 years. He serves as the foundation's Procurement Officer and also transports clients to various appointments (doctor's, social services, social security, job interviews- when available). The foundation networks with other community resources (when available) to meet the needs of the client.
Prior to his work with the foundation. Mr. Morton worked with Jeff Goldberg & Associates in Virginia Beach for five (5) years marketing and advertising entertainment coupon books along the East Coast. The booklets featured automotive, beauty salons, restaurant and entertainment values. He also working with his family's owned business Morton's Roofing Co for six (6) years.
Mr. Morton is a native of Norfolk; graduate of Maury High and East Coast Bible College. Mr. Morton also attended Old Dominion University (Early Education Program).
Grady Morton has been with Friends of the Elderly Non Profit Foundation for over 20 years. He serves as the foundation's Procurement Officer and also transports clients to various appointments (doctor's, social services, social security, job interviews- when available). The foundation networks with other community resources (when available) to meet the needs of the client.
Prior to his work with the foundation. Mr. Morton worked with Jeff Goldberg & Associates in Virginia Beach for five (5) years marketing and advertising entertainment coupon books along the East Coast. The booklets featured automotive, beauty salons, restaurant and entertainment values. He also working with his family's owned business Morton's Roofing Co for six (6) years.
Mr. Morton is a native of Norfolk; graduate of Maury High and East Coast Bible College. Mr. Morton also attended Old Dominion University (Early Education Program).
Betty F. Reynolds, Counselor
Mrs. Reynolds has been serving the foundation for over 15 years. She serves as Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors. She volunteers her time with the foundation as a counselor and consultant for our clients. Mrs. Reynolds has also assisted with planning and coordinating weddings, along side with Mrs. Rush, for clients of the foundation's outreach program.
Mrs. Reynolds is a native of Norfolk and a graduate of Norfolk State University. She is a retired Special Education Teacher (Nottoway County). She received invitations to join the American Business Women's Association (2013-2016). Mrs. Reynolds is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.
Mrs. Reynolds has been serving the foundation for over 15 years. She serves as Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors. She volunteers her time with the foundation as a counselor and consultant for our clients. Mrs. Reynolds has also assisted with planning and coordinating weddings, along side with Mrs. Rush, for clients of the foundation's outreach program.
Mrs. Reynolds is a native of Norfolk and a graduate of Norfolk State University. She is a retired Special Education Teacher (Nottoway County). She received invitations to join the American Business Women's Association (2013-2016). Mrs. Reynolds is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.
Laura Tessier, Volunteer Receptionist
Miss Tessier serves as the foundation's Administrative Assistant and has been with the foundation for over 20 years. She coordinates all holiday events for the foundation and is the lead coordinator for the partnership with the Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank. Miss Tessier also serves as the foundation's Intake Counselor and coordinates services for clientele and their needs.
Miss Tessier is a native of Alexandria (Virginia) and holds a degree in Business Administration from Mansfield Business College.
Miss Tessier serves as the foundation's Administrative Assistant and has been with the foundation for over 20 years. She coordinates all holiday events for the foundation and is the lead coordinator for the partnership with the Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank. Miss Tessier also serves as the foundation's Intake Counselor and coordinates services for clientele and their needs.
Miss Tessier is a native of Alexandria (Virginia) and holds a degree in Business Administration from Mansfield Business College.