Fairport, NY – Chatham Housing & Development (http://www.chathamhousing.org) announced today that Ashley Hoffmeier will intern this Summer at Chatham to initiate, grow and increase awareness of our mission of helping Veterans and families with affordable housing by implementing digital and social media marketing efforts. Ashley is a current student at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and will graduate this month with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Ashley is a Marine Corps Veteran having served during Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom and has prior experience helping fellow Marines as a paralegal at Camp Lejeunes Staff Judge Advocates Office. Joining in advance of the launch of Chatham’s new social media marketing programs, Ashley can continue her advocacy for fellow veterans.

Ashley will intern at Chatham as marketing specialist focused on efforts on popular social sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn providing an increased presence that Chatham has never experienced beforehand. Ashley comments, “As a paralegal in the military I got great satisfaction in being able to ensure my fellow marines and their families were taking care of legally. Working for Chatham will give me a chance to once again aid in an effort to help veterans and their families.”

Scott Shaw, Chatham Executive Director, said “Ashley’s educational knowledge and military background will make her a great addition to the Chatham Housing family,” albeit for the short term, “we’re excited to have this opportunity to extend the reach and return of our mission. I’m confident that Ashley will play a key role in creating the awareness and support we need to continue helping Veterans find affordable housing for themselves and their families.

About Chatham Housing
Chatham, United Way Rochester agency 2562, is a visionary organization developing rental and home ownership and providing affordable housing, property management and maintenance for Veterans and families. EPA-certified for lead paint testing and risk assessment. Chatham also provides housing counseling and referrals for those seeking housing.

More about Ashley
Ashley Hoffmeier was raised in Watkins Glen, NY by parents Harold and Betsy Hoffmeier. Her family has a long standing history of men serving in the military. Her grandfather was a Purple Heart recipient who served in the Army during WWII, and her father served in the Army as well during the Vietnam War. Ashley, the first female to serve in her family, and brother Jonathon are both Marine Corps Veterans who served during Operation Iraqi/ Enduring Freedom. Upon her honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Ashley filled a temporary position as an Administrative Assistant for a non-profit in Bath, NY. She then went back to law for a brief period, in which she decided to utilize her GI Bill and continue her education. Ashley has an A.A.S. in Business Administration/Management from Corning Community College, and is one semester shy of receiving her Bachelor’s in Marketing with an immersion in communication from Rochester Institute of Technology. Ashley and her 9 year old currently reside in Henrietta, NY.

“In the summer of 2007 I sat down with a recruiter and in front of me he set a stack of words, he asked me to pick the top three reasons of why I wanted to join the Marine Corps and explain them to him. Benefits, Discipline, and Honor were the top three I chose, and even though active duty benefits ended with discharge, I carry the honor and discipline through everything I do. As a single young mother I wanted my son Cameron to have a parent that he could be proud of, and the thought of being able to protect him while serving our country was reason enough to join, even during a time of