At Liberation Veterans Services (LVS), a non-profit in Richmond, Virginia, homeless veterans find a friendly face in case manager Fletcher Johnson Jr. ’75. At six feet, four inches tall, Johnson is a towering presence, with a deep voice and a ready smile. Working alongside executive director Jay Patrick, Johnson helps ensure that vets in need have shelter, food, and access to numerous resources. Just as important, LVS (formerly Liberation Family Services) provides vets with a sense of hope and a path toward independence.

Resources + Collaboration
Just down the street from LVS is Commonwealth Catholic Charities, a “homeless point of entry,” where vets first find out about the services offered at LVS. In LVS’ bright, 38-bed facility, clients meet one-on-one with Johnson, who collaborates with local organizations to offer vets a variety of resources, including medical care; substance abuse counseling; mental health services; economic development programs; and employment advice. The typical LVS client stays at the facility for six months to a year. Johnson says his work is incredibly fulfilling.

“I love being able to help veterans,” he says. “I am proud and humbled to help these men in any way I can.”

Patrick, a 2003 Hampden-Sydney College graduate, says it’s the cohesiveness within LVS that makes the organization so successful.

“Despite our differences,” says Patrick good-naturedly, referring to the long-standing, friendly rivalry between Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon, “it’s almost as if Fletcher and I were meant to work together.” In addition to Johnson and Patrick, 14 additional staff members help LVS run smoothly.

From RMC to LVS
It was 1971 when Johnson—then a high-school senior—made the fateful decision to attend Randolph-Macon. He spent a weekend on campus at the recommendation of his high-school basketball coach, Bill Chambers ’65, who spoke highly of RMC. Johnson sat in on classes, met with Basketball Coach Paul Webb and members of the team, and toured the campus.

“From there it was pretty simple,” recalls Johnson, who had visited other colleges and had offers to join their basketball teams. “When I got home after my weekend in Ashland, there was a big smile on my face, and I told my parents that Randolph-Macon was where I wanted to go.”

A sociology major and mathematics minor, Johnson loved being a student. He lived in Starr Hall, made lifelong friends and broke records on the basketball court. He was the highest basketball scorer in the college’s history, scoring 2,216 points as he led the team to an 86-28 record during four seasons. Johnson accumulated an RMC record 2,216 points and averaged a record-tying 20.4 points per game, and he remains the only Yellow Jacket player ever to surpass the 2,000-point scoring mark. When asked what his fondest college memory is, he is quick to answer.

“The night I broke the record that had been held by [the late] Frank Kaminski ’64, for most points in a career,” says Johnson, chuckling. “He sent a telegram congratulating me!”

In addition to Coach Webb, Johnson admired Religious Studies Professor Ira Andrews III ’59 and Soccer Coach Helmut Werner.

“I could always go to Coach Werner any time I needed something, even though I didn’t play soccer,” recalls Johnson, who was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Omega Psi Phi.  “That is what makes the RMC experience so special: If you need anything, someone is there to help.”

Johnson says his college experience at RMC helped prepare him for a life of teaching and service. After graduating, Johnson taught mathematics and coached basketball for Richmond Public Schools for 28 years. When he retired, he knew he wanted to stay busy—and give back to the community. In 2007 he began volunteering at LVS as a shift supervisor.

Challenges and Rewards
Patrick spent nine years in the banking industry before joining the non-profit world and serving as executive director of Salvation Army for the tri-cities. An ordained minister, he joined LVS several years ago as director of programs.

“Fletcher quickly progressed as a star case manager,” recalls Patrick, “but I realized he had a skill set that surpassed that role, and he was promoted.” Despite some challenges for the organization—in 2013, it nearly went defunct after a consultant recommended that it shut its doors—Patrick, working with his church board, came up with a plan to save LVS.

“We found the money we needed to continue our work,” he says. “We did some re-branding and worked hard. I told Fletcher at that time, ‘I need you to work with us…you are the only guy that I can make this work with.’ I told him, ‘Before you say yes, I may not be able to pay you.’ Fletcher didn’t hesitate. He said, ‘This is the right thing to do.'”

Thus far, LVS has helped more than 300 homeless vets. The organization has an 86 percent success rate and averages 2-3 permanent housing placements per month. As Johnson is proud to point out, “We do this work uniquely and better than most organizations.” Johnson and Patrick partner with and receive referrals from other organizations, including Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.

Back to the Hive
Johnson, who was inducted into the RMC Hall of Fame in 1999, returns to campus as often as possible—especially for basketball events. Each year he watches proudly as area youth participate in RMC’s basketball camp, and he attends as many Yellow Jacket games as he can. In 2016 he attended a reunion honoring Coach Paul Webb, and every fall he cheers on the Yellow Jackets in Crenshaw Gym as they take on Hampden-Sydney College. He loves the changes that have taken place on campus during the past several years.

“Absolutely amazing,” Johnson says of the new residence halls, student center, and athletic facilities that make the campus more beautiful than ever. “Before the last Hampden-Sydney game, my wife and I got to campus early because wanted to show her around,” he says. “The only thing that is the same as when I was student here are the train tracks,” he notes. “They even changed the direction of the football field!” Asked if he still plays basketball, he laughs. “Absolutely not. I get tired just watching people play.”