When Mattie Palmore first came to Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, she was a client in need of a place to call home.  She’s leaving Good Shepherd, however, a 15 year employee who’s helped countless others.

 Palmore was honored Saturday by a huge crowd for her years of service to Good Shepherd.  Her party was held at the Gum Springs Community Center and featured speeches, tributes and a special slide show highlighting all she’s done to help the world around her.  But Palmore said that’s the only way she knows how to live.

 “I guess I grew up that way.  At 14 years old, I volunteered as a candy striper,” Palmore said.

 When she came to Good Shepherd 16 years ago, Palmore said she was days away from relocating to a homeless shelter.

 “My daughter was in high school and we were about to be evicted,” Palmore said. 

 But then she remembered a friend who worked at Good Shepherd, a group that helps people find affordable housing.  Staffers found her an apartment and a year later, they hired her on.

 “[The interviewer] said ‘I want somebody who will fit.’  She called me back and offered me the position and she said ‘I think you’ll fit,’” Palmore said.

 Fellow employees at Good Shepherd couldn’t agree more.

 “Mattie doesn’t know how to say no,” laughed Director of Development Karen Jupiter. “She said she doesn’t know how to wake up in the morning and not go to work.”

 And even though she’s retiring, Palmore certainly won’t be disappearing.  She’ll continue to devote a lot of time to the Women’s Group of Mount Vernon, an organization designed to help victims of domestic violence. She is also a part of the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Service Board.

 Palmore said her years of service were really all about one thing; giving those in need a voice.

 “There are a lot of people who can’t fight for themselves,” Palmore said.  “I might go to tears because I always preach to the client that we offer a hand up, not a hand out.  It’s going to be hard not to stick my hand in anymore.”