![[Page Title]](https://www.depaulcr.org/wp-content/themes/depaul/images/fill/small.jpg)
Dreaming and Doing: A New DePaul Program
“This helps me help her,” said Shawn, speaking about the power and positive impact of DePaul’s Agency-Directed Services (ADS) program. Shawn and his daughter Dianna became part of the ADS program after struggling to navigate the Medicaid waiver system and get Dianna the care she needed at home. The family speaks English as a second […]
Moving Forward With Hope and Healing
Kimberly opened her heart and home to Katrina in 2015. Katrina was in foster care and desperately searching for safety and stability after experiencing multiple traumatic events in her home. Throughout their years together, Kimberly and Katrina have worked hard to build a healthy mother-daughter bond. And Katrina has worked hard to find healing. “My […]
Walking Together Toward A Bright Future
December 19 was the most beautiful day of 20-year-old Moe’s life. It was the day she said “I do” to her best friend surrounded by loved ones. And on that day, she was escorted down the aisle by someone who she believes had a hand in changing her life: DePaul’s Independent Living supervisor, Carrie. “I […]
A New Year’s Message
Dear Friends, Donors, and Partners, Each year, instead of making a new year resolution, I think about a new year focus. Last year, I shared a message with you about Gratitude. This year, I have landed on Adventure. Why adventure? Well, adventure embodies the spirit of exploration, challenge, and the courage to step into the […]
Building a Beautiful Life Together
It was loss that led Sharon to a life of caregiving. Her daughter was born with a serious health condition and sadly passed away at the age of 7. It was heartbreaking, life changing, and eye opening. “During that journey, I saw that there were a lot of kids with special needs that needed support, […]
Camp, Connection, and Journeys to Forever
From the ropes course to the creek and all the crafts and dances in between, this year’s Post-Adoption Summer Camp was a day to remember. “Family camp was super fun,” said Jaelynn. “I really liked the hike and the food. I can’t wait to go back next year!” The post-adoption program is supported by a […]
The Impact of Opportunities
Lewis loves his days at DePaul’s OPTIONS day support center in Madison Heights. For him, the program has provided an opportunity to engage with others, explore his community, and expand his world. Lewis’ mom Delphine said the program’s positive impact on him is hard to describe, but easy to see. “It’s something good for him […]
The Right Thing To Do
David and Christy Reed believe in doing the right thing. It is what guides their lives, and it is what led them to become foster parents. They wanted to provide a safe, loving home for children in need no matter what. Before they started the process, they made sure their biological children were on board […]
More Than A Gift
Nathacha and Candice, like other staff members at DePaul, take the work of hope and belonging seriously. They understand how life-changing it can be and that sometimes it can take them out of the office, out of homes, out of comfort zones. Recently, the work of hope and belonging led them to a family’s home […]
Leading What She Loves
Renee Brown is grateful to be leading what she loves. In late November, she stepped into her role as DePaul’s Chief Executive Officer after an extensive search process that included candidates from across the nation. When asked why she felt called to consider being DePaul’s CEO, Renee’s answer was simple. “The people in and around […]
The Daisy Difference
DePaul’s counseling services program is designed to help children and families find healing and move forward in their lives. Daisy, a certified therapy dog, is a newer addition to the program but has already made a massive impact. “When you have kids who struggle, the world is repelled from them in many ways,” said Heather. […]
Sam’s Circle of Support
After years of struggling, Sam has found peace in a DePaul sponsored residential home with providers Mary and Tracy. “He’s happier, and he’s able to get the one-on one attention he needs,” said Kevan, Sam’s dad. Kevan and Sam’s mom, Brittany, are amazed at the progress their son has made since moving in with Mary […]
The Road Ahead
Dixie has big dreams for her future: To graduate from her certified nursing assistant class, then become a travel nurse. To become more independent and continue to live successfully on her own. Another dream—to get her driver’s license and her own vehicle. That dream is now a reality, with the help of DePaul’s Independent Living […]
A Life Danny Deserves
Danny loves his new home—a home he shares with his compassionate caregiver, Jonshay. “I love being at Ms. Shay’s house because she takes good care of me and loves me and I get to listen to music,” said Danny. Danny spent years in a residential treatment facility where his life was much different and isolated. […]
A New Year’s Message from DePaul CEO Renee Brown
Dear Friends, Donors, and Partners, As we begin another new year, many of us will revisit our priorities and goals. One of mine each year is Choose Gratitude. I believe it is important to express to those who walk alongside us, contribute to our mission, and partner in creating solutions just how important you are. Without […]
The Power of Family
DePaul foster parents Andrea and Matt Zimmerman understand the strength of stability, support, and connection for children in foster care. “It’s about adding more support and love into their life, rather than trying to replace anything,” said Andrea. This summer, Andrea and Matt opened their home to siblings, an 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. […]
The Power of OPTIONS
When DePaul paused operations at its OPTIONS day support centers due to the pandemic, Dave did his best to wait patiently. But he struggled. His engagement with the community became limited, his days slowed down, his world became a bit smaller. Then, OPTIONS was reopened. Dave returned to the program in Madison Heights and the […]
DePaul announces new CEO to lead organization
November 21, 2022 — After an extensive search process that included candidates from across the nation, DePaul Community Resources is pleased to announce that Renee Brown has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer. “Renee brings to the role her well-rounded experience in service fields and executive leadership, her enthusiasm for problem-solving and creativity, and […]
How A Calling and A Commitment Changed A Family Forever
When DePaul foster parents Kevin and Victoria Stewart opened their home to Isaiah, they made a commitment to care for him, to love him, and to be there for him as long as he needed them. Four years later, the adoption papers have been signed, the family has grown closer and stronger, and Isaiah is […]
How A Family’s Love Transcended Its Loss
The bond between Curtis Hall and his daughter Beth is unbreakable—the love and trust they share immeasurable. That bond helped Curtis and Beth navigate the heartbreaking loss of her mother, Carolyn, in 2011. After his wife passed away, Curtis knew he had to be there for Beth as much as possible. She needed him more […]
Bridging Gaps and Removing Barriers
When 19-year-old Bijon discovered she was going to be a mom, she started to look at certain things differently. Before, walking and using public transportation was no issue, but she wanted to have her own reliable transportation when the baby came—a more dependable way to get to appointments, the grocery store, cosmetology school, and the […]
A Long-Awaited Reunion
As Keith walks through the door at DePaul’s OPTIONS day support center in Lynchburg, he raises his face, closes his eyes, and holds his arms out wide. He smiles and sighs, saying, “Ahh…I missed this place.” After many months of missing each other, OPTIONS participants and staff members have reunited. “It feels good,” said Darrell, […]
Leaning in With Love
The Leary house is full—full of kids, full of hope, full of love. There’s Melissa, Sam, Mia, Ellie, Willow, Emma, Ayiah, Summer, and a new foster child. They are a family of nine, whose relationships were formed by birth, adoption, and foster care. “More people, more love as long as we can meet everyone’s needs,” […]
The Power of Hope
Hope feels free—free to grow, free to live, free to dream. “They let me do my own thing and don’t judge me, and they’re letting me find my own rhythm,” said Hope. Hope is 18 years old and describes herself as always wanting to help others, but not really knowing how to ask for help […]
Being There No Matter What
A safe space to be independent, to be loved, and to belong. That’s what Teresa and Patricia work every day to provide for their son, Elijah. “I think he does know that he’s loved more than anything,” said Patricia. Elijah is 21 years old and has autism. He likes watching TV, walking at the local […]
Never Giving Up
Virginia and Dale Craig came to DePaul seeking hope and a support system that would not give up on them. With five children, including two who were new to the family through adoption, Virginia and Dale were learning to navigate the challenges of a blended family. They were trying to find a sense of peace. […]
Felicia’s Journey to Find Peace
Short, sweet, and straight to the point. That’s how Felicia Johnson responded to the question, “How do you feel about living with Tom and Debra Cook?” Felicia has lived with the Cooks for eight years now, but her journey with DePaul and with the Cooks began much earlier. At 8 years old, Felicia entered DePaul’s […]
A Light In The Darkness
Hope. That is what Ben has now that he didn’t have six months ago, when he contemplated taking his own life. He credits DePaul’s substance abuse counseling services as well as his 12-step meetings with giving him that hope and bringing him out of the darkness. “There’s hope just for someone to listen to me,” […]
The Right Home For Rachel
The bond between sisters Rachel and Carrie is special. It has weathered many storms, moved many mountains, and grown stronger each year. That bond has since blossomed into a whole family wrapping around Rachel and making sure she lives the life she deserves. Rachel has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability and cannot live on […]
Growing A Family Through Love and Faith
Nick and Tessa Brown believe in the power of foster parenting and adopting. That belief has carried them through challenges and changes and made them a family of seven. “If you open your home, you will be blessed just as much as you are blessing that child,” said Tessa. Years ago, Nick’s father and stepmother […]
Building A Space For Independence
Mathew’s days are filled with things he loves to do— swinging outside, attending a day support program, and dancing to his favorite music from Luther Vandross and Maroon 5. His compassionate caregivers, Connie and Archie Elam, describe the 27-year-old as fun and sweet. Mathew has autism and communicates through laughs, sign language, and an iPad […]
Hope and Healing No Matter What
Many years ago, Margo Humes made a promise to herself and to DePaul—to open her heart and home to any child who needed her for however long they needed her. She has kept that promise for 19 years. “I think all children need a home, all children need stability in their life,” said Margo. “I […]
Finally, The Care He Deserves
Imagine spending most of your childhood on a waiting list for life-changing services. The services you need are there, in your community, but you’re told to wait in line with more than 13,000 other Virginians. Your parents are told to wait, knowing your care, and your life, will improve once it’s your turn. But you […]
Keeping Connections No Matter What
DePaul’s OPTIONS day support centers looked different for much of 2020. To keep participants and staff safe, the centers paused operations. It was a difficult decision and adjustment for everyone involved. “It’s hard to be away from each other because we are like a big family,” said Renee Graves, the day support coordinator at Fishersville […]
The Safe Space Between
The space between 10-year-old Bentley and DePaul clinician Molly McPike-Copenhaver may have grown, but that space is still as safe as it always was. Bentley, who has autism, is one of many connecting with DePaul’s community-based services staff members virtually. He meets with them a few times a week, and they make sure the virtual […]
When She Needed Her Most
Amid great loss, Wanda Thompson and Christine Martin found each other. Christine, a young woman with autism, was 17 years old at the time. Her grandmother had been her lifelong caregiver. But now, her grandmother had terminal cancer, and their days together were slipping away. Christine needed someone to be there for her. Wanda felt […]
Open Home, Open Hearts, Open Minds
Brett and Debra Martin began their journey as foster parents with an open home, open hearts, and open minds. They had hoped to adopt through foster care one day, but never imagined that would become reality so quickly. “We just wanted to provide a safe, loving home for anyone who came through for as long […]
So Much Love for Lily
Robert and Jessica St. Clair never imagined their daughter Lily would live in someone else’s home. But they also never imagined that Lily would need more care and support than they could give, and that someone else’s home was exactly where she needed to be to live her best life. Lily, who is 11 years […]
A Path Full of Promise
Nyi Nyi’s life is full of hope and possibilities and promise. He rents a tiny house, loves spending time at the park, and visits with some of his family from time to time. He worked hard to get here. Nyi Nyi was around 6 years old when he and his family arrived in the country […]
The Thread of Thankfulness
Travis has big dreams. Go to college, study forestry, find a job he loves. He credits his foster home and foster parent Kathy for giving him the freedom to dream those big dreams. Travis was 13 years old when his world turned upside down. He knew his family was dysfunctional. He knew that the drugs […]
Thankful for Life Together
Compassionate care can change a life. It’s a simple idea that holds power and holds true for Phyllis and Beverly. Beverly has severe autism. When she was welcomed into Phyllis’ sponsored residential home in 2003, she struggled to communicate or show emotion. Phyllis, who had initially welcomed Beverly as a short-term (respite) placement, felt called […]
Helping Them Heal
Tasha Eaton has always wanted to heal hearts. When she heard about the need for foster parents in her community years ago, she knew she had found a way to do that. What started as a foster journey quickly became an adoption journey. Tasha’s foster children needed forever families, and she couldn’t bear to let […]
Counting on Life-Changing Services
Kelly Cline fights back tears as she explains how post-adoption support services have helped her family. In the fall of 2015, Kelly and her husband Charlie traveled thousands of miles internationally to bring home their newly adopted son Nicholas. They spent two weeks abroad bonding and connecting with 4-year-old Nicholas before returning home, where their […]
Adapting to A New Normal at Harvard Home
From scavenger hunts to cookie decorating and all the backyard picnics in between, the ladies who live in DePaul’s Waynesboro group home, Harvard Home, are staying busy. Life for these ladies looks a lot different these days, like many of our lives do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harvard Home is adapting. The typical trips and […]
Information Technology
DePaul’s transition to remote work during COVID-19 was quick and seamless, thanks to the hard work of our director of support services, finance team members, and our outside IT vendor, NCG. “Our organization provides services that are far beyond amazing,” said Eyvette Evans, director of support services. “I am not on the frontline of being […]
Foster Care
COVID-19 has changed the world we live in, and not surprisingly, the way our foster care program operates. Foster care team members have learned to stay safe and social distance, while still maintaining important communications with foster families and children. “We cannot stop the essential work of assessing the wellbeing of our children and providing […]
Finance/Human Resources
DePaul Community Resources cannot open doors to hope and belonging without a Human Resources and Finance team it can count on. Under normal circumstances, this is the busiest time of year for our finance team as they prepare for the coming fiscal year’s budget. It typically takes about three months to put together our organization’s […]
Phases of Foster Care
Finding the Freedom to Dream Travis was 13 years old when his world turned upside down. He knew his family was dysfunctional. He knew that the drugs and abuse weren’t normal. But he never expected that he would have to leave. At 13, Travis entered the foster care system, along with his younger brother. “It […]
Independent Living
Our Independent Living team at DePaul works hard to support young people ages 18-21 as they transition from life in foster care to life as adults. That support is still there, even though it looks a little different these days, due to COVID-19. “I miss them just as much as they miss us. But we […]
Adoption
DePaul’s commitment to finding forever homes for children in need continues. Our adoption team is adjusting and adapting to make sure children have families that love them unconditionally and families have the support they need to thrive. The Adoption Through Collaborative Partnerships grant, or ATCP, covers the pre-adoption part of that effort. The ATCP team […]
Sponsored Residential
The need for compassionate caregiving never stops, not even for COVID-19. DePaul’s sponsored residential team knows that need is still there and is adapting to meet it. “I am lucky to be blessed with such resilient and hardworking staff,” said Amber Wieringo, director of residential services. The sponsored residential team works to find compassionate caregivers […]
People of DePaul
While we’re all staying safe and practicing social distancing during COVID-19, we wanted to take some time to introduce you to the DePaul team. Each week, we will feature an amazing team member from across the DePaul footprint. We’ll share a short story and a fun fact to help you get to know the #PeopleofDePaul. […]
Moving Our Horizon
A Message From DePaul CEO Amanda Stanley At our recent donor appreciation brunch, we shared stories that demonstrated the deep impact this organization has had on the lives of those we serve. We put stories of belonging center-stage. How we tell stories, especially ones about overcoming adversity, matters a lot. Which ones we choose to […]
Love No Matter What
Unconditional love. Those two words may remind you of Hallmark cards, or wedding vows, or lines in your favorite book. But for Jared and Ashley Walding, those words were a commitment they made to two boys who were in desperate need. When Jared and Ashley got married, they knew they wanted kids but didn’t necessarily […]
Creating Hats with Heart
Darlene Maddox is hard at work–her hands moving seamlessly and smoothly along the loom as she knits beautifully-colored hats. She’s got orders to fill and dreams to catch. Darlene is 68 years old. She has a mild intellectual disability. But that’s not how her life is defined. She’s an artist, a hat-maker, a creative mind. […]
Carrying Their Burdens
Children in foster care often carry the heavy burdens of trauma, abuse, neglect, and the anxiety related to the uncertainty of their futures. Finding loving parents to help them carry that weight is core to DePaul’s mission. Greg and Gloria Killen are those loving parents. Greg and Gloria are in their late 60s, so they […]
Love After Loss
Loss is never an easy thing to overcome. For Letitia Nalley, loss left an indescribable void that she would later seek to fill. Letitia’s son, Jeremy, passed away when he was just 26 years old. Jeremy bravely battled IPEX syndrome, which involves the development of multiple autoimmune disorders. “When you care for someone every day, […]
The Journey to Independence
Stephen Sharp’s road to adulthood has not always been easy. Stephen was placed into foster care at the age of 16, after he stopped going to school and spent time in a detention center. He was a teenager forced to adjust to a new way of life in a group home. He found himself having […]
A Life Fulfilled
Caring for people is just what Shirley Lee does. For decades, Shirley cared for seniors in their homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. When she moved to Virginia, she couldn’t stop caring. She became a foster parent through her local county and opened her home to children in need for five years. Then, a few years […]
In Their Corner
Perseverance. That is what Adam and Meghan Parker have relied on throughout their foster care and adoption journey. The idea of fostering had been floating around the family’s minds for a while, but it just never landed. Then, after Meghan and Adam welcomed a biological daughter named Merryn, the idea of fostering reappeared. This time, […]
A New Year’s Message from DePaul’s CEO, Amanda Stanley
What Happens in a Decade? As I sat with my family on December 31st, 2019, about to ring in the new year, I asked my children what they thought about the holiday. My oldest son reflected: “It’s the end of a decade, mom. This time ten years ago I was just a baby – and […]
High Expectations
There’s something to be said for independence: the way it makes us feel, the way it challenges us, the power it gives us. But independence isn’t always easy to find. Meet Ashley High. She lives her life without limits. Ashley is described as determined, confident, and strong. But her life has not been easy. Before […]
Kaitlyn Coming Home
J.D. and Gabby Range started their foster care journey with open minds and open hearts. They hoped the journey would eventually lead to an adoption, but they were committed to changing a child’s life either way. The Range family was fully approved to foster by DePaul’s Big Stone Gap office in January 2017. The same […]
KinGAP: Helping Kids Come Home
Mary never imagined she would be a mom again after her two biological children grew up. She was content with her life. Those expectations were shattered when tragedy led her nephew Ben to her doorstep. Mary’s mom passed away, leaving pain and uncertainty in her wake. Before her death, Mary’s mom had been helping Mary’s […]
Fostering: A Family Tradition
For Libby Edwards, being a foster parent runs in the family. When Libby was a child, her mother provided foster care through DePaul Community Resources and adopted a young girl who would become Libby’s sister. From an early age, Libby observed and learned about the foster care experience firsthand, and would later dedicate herself to […]
Connecting at Camp
Five-year-old Blaine Rogers is smiling ear to ear as he lowers his fishing pole into the water at Smith Mountain Lake. He’s hoping for a big fish, and his parents are just hoping that smile is part of a memory that lasts forever. Blaine is one of many kids attending DePaul’s Family Camp at the […]
Making a “Unique” Impact
Once a month, a group of people from all walks of life, with different developmental disabilities, meet to make a difference. It’s called the We Are Unique club. It began about 7 years ago when Cathy Wilson, a sponsored residential provider with DePaul, noticed a lack of volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities, like Lisa, […]
Keeping the Faith in Foster Care
In the world of foster care, some people feel called to open their homes to children in need. Jeff and Delrena Johnson are one of the couples who have answered that call. They explain that their faith led them to pursue fostering because of the need they saw in their own community and their desire […]
A Foster Child’s Journey
Chapter 6 I never had a desire to search for or find my biological parents. But when my granddaddy passed away, I wanted to go to his funeral in support of my granny (my maternal grandparents). This would mean seeing my biological mom for the first time in about 18 years. Neither of my sisters […]
Fixing the foster care crisis in Rockbridge County
DePaul Community Resources is helping Rockbridge County address a foster care crisis. The Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services currently has 50 children in foster care, and not nearly enough local foster parents with whom they can place the children. Due to the lack of foster parents, children are being placed across the state in […]
Fully on Board
Todd Selkirk, current board member and former employee of DePaul Community Resources, has a “why” that has been developing his whole life. Todd’s father grew up in an orphanage, and though he never spoke much about it to Todd, learning about his father’s experience affected him greatly. “My father’s forever family started when he married […]
Answering the Call
When James and Charlotte McClaugherty decided to give back to the community by becoming foster parents in 1990, they could not have imagined that their mission would span across 28 years. After spending the first six years of their marriage without children, the couple adopted the oldest two of their three children from the foster […]
Growing With Our Community
At the heart of DePaul Community Resources is the belief that new things are possible when you belong. In that spirit, DePaul opened a new OPTIONS (Opening People to Individual Opportunities in a Network of Support) Day Support Center at the main Roanoke office located on Hollins Road. Notably, the catalyst for the renovation was […]
Navigating the Middle Ground
For 17-year-old Chelséa, living in a foster home with overbearing, albeit well-meaning, foster parents was extremely different than the arms-length parenting she was used to. When Chelséa turned 18, she left the foster care system and attempted to switch high schools and live on her own. Her caseworker stepped in when she saw Chelséa struggling […]
Finding Their Own Way
When Liam came into the home of DePaul foster parents Sharon and Mitch Lawson, he no longer had legal ties to his biological parents and was available for adoption. After experiencing disappointment when family members did not adopt him, Liam was guarded when he entered the unfamiliar home of the Lawsons. Sharon and Mitch had […]
Flourishing Independence
Francis was a happy, typically-developing baby until the age of 2 years old when she had a coma-inducing seizure that robbed her of her capability to walk and talk. When Francis came out of the coma, she began relearning everything she had lost but never regained her ability to speak. At age 7, Francis’ family […]
Forging a New Path
Elias, a 19-year-old from Tanzania, has lived through more than any young man should at his age. In 2011, Elias’ father was tragically killed by a close family friend. Elias was heartbroken. “My father and I were best friends,” Elias remembers. “I was so proud to have him in my life, he was my favorite […]
Sponsored Residential vs. Adult Foster Care
Sponsored Residential Vs. Adult Foster Care At DePaul, we are committed to supporting personal choice, promoting individual growth, and improving quality of life for the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve. One way we accomplish this is through our Sponsored Residential program, which offers personalized care to individuals in a home-based setting where […]
You Made Room for OPTIONS
Your support during the renovation of our Roanoke office to accommodate the relocation of our day support program is one that has allowed our organization to completely customize the space to fit the needs of the individuals we serve. “The new OPTIONS Day Support is a well-deserved center that gives our individuals the opportunity to […]
Giving Tuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. What impact will your […]
Going Above and Beyond
When Ashley and Jared Walding decided they wanted to become parents, they knew the foster-to-adopt route would be the best way for them to grow their family. Both Ashley and Jared work in the education field, specializing in behavior analysis and assisting children with special needs. In their profession, the Waldings often see children without […]
Keeping the Door Open
During the 18 years they provided foster care, Johnny and Jeanette Taylor had never intended to adopt. They had already seen their biological children through to adulthood, fostered numerous children and teens, and felt content. When a quiet, 14-year-old boy named Zeak was placed in their home for short-term foster care, the Taylors welcomed him […]
Governor proclaims October 2018 to be Disability History Awareness Month in Virginia
WHEREAS, according to the 2016 Disability Status Report from Cornell University, nearly 12 percent of Virginians, over one million individuals, have a diagnosed disability; and WHEREAS, people with disabilities have made profound contributions throughout history, but they have not typically been included in history books or studied by children during their school years; and WHEREAS, […]
Committing to Love
When Faith entered the foster care system four years ago at the age of 9, she was lonely and afraid. Due to the trauma she suffered in her young life, Faith’s therapist didn’t believe it was possible for her to find permanency through adoption. Yet Faith had another person on her care team who believed […]
Embracing Everyday Life
DePaul Community Resources Aims to Improve Gap in Care Choices Following Closure of Virginia Training Centers Listen to our segment on Spirit FM with our regional recruiter, Emily Moore, to learn more! ________________________________________________________________________________ DePaul Community Resources announced the launch of a new campaign that seeks to identify homes for people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities following the […]
How Our Garden Grows
Madison Heights OPTIONS day support center is surrounded by beautiful landscaping filled with trees, flowers, and out back, an expansive garden. Monday mornings, the Hill City Master Gardener Association members are on the property by 9 a.m., weeding and tilling before the heat and bugs creep up on them, and by 10 a.m., four or […]
A Life She Deserves
To Victoria (known to her closest friends as Vicky), an ideal day includes writing, cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with friends. For most of her life, she did not live in a setting that gave her the freedom to do her favorite things or have close friends to share in those experiences. Before moving […]
With Open Arms
Regardless of age, background, or situation, foster parents Julia McIntosh and Tom Moore have welcomed children into their home and their lives with open arms. With the support of one of Julia’s work colleagues who was also considering foster care, Julia and Tom first pursued foster parenting in 2016 and soon after became an approved […]
The Cost of Private Adoption vs. Adoption From Foster Care
It takes a special person to offer the lifelong gift of permanency to a child in need of a place to belong. Families who wish to welcome children or teens into their homes through adoption will discover there are many avenues to adoption. Primarily, adoptions fall into two categories: private adoption and adoption from foster […]
Living a Full Life
To the Camachos, opening their home to others comes naturally. When she was a child, Sheila Camacho’s parents fostered over 300 children and teenagers; it was simply a part of how her family lived. After one of the children in their home aged out of foster care and still needed a place to live, Sheila’s […]
DePaul CEO Amanda Stanley named to Virginia children’s council
DePaul Community Resources is pleased to announce the appointment of DePaul President and CEO Amanda Noell Stanley to Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s administration. Amanda’s appointment to the State Executive Council for Children’s Services was announced June 22. The council is a supervisory panel who oversees the administration of services and funding under the Children’s Services […]
Facing Life Together
Reverend Garry and Beccy McGlinchy adopted their son Tate in 2012, not knowing then that the scared and uncertain boy joining their family would grow into the big-hearted, self-sufficient man he is today. Tate faced a hard road as a child in the foster care system, and his past made early interactions and bonding with […]
Coming Home to the Kidds
When Respite Placements Become Family When Tommy’s parents died within a month of each other, he needed an emergency placement in the form of a temporary home. What he found instead was a loving forever home with the Kidds. Tommy has been a part of Cheryl and Ray Kidds’ home for 13 years, entering sponsored […]
Foster Family Turned Forever Family
Since becoming foster parents with DePaul in December 2015, Jeremy and Angel Yuvanavattana’s family has more than doubled in size. With two young biological daughters, Jeremy and Angel first decided to foster in hopes of adopting a son into their family. Friends and relatives recommended DePaul to them, and soon their journey to become foster […]
Eight Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent
In Virginia, the need for supportive, nurturing foster homes is great. Especially now, as the opioid epidemic and other forms of drug abuse are fracturing families and sending more and more children and teens into the foster care system. Currently, Virginia is ranked the worst in the nation for teens aging out of foster care […]
Fostering Everyday Love
A Campaign to Recruit 60 New, Loving Foster Homes by May DePaul Community Resources has officially launched their Fostering Everyday Love Campaign after making four simultaneous press conferences across Virginia on January 30th. The nonprofit organization announced a rapid increase in children and teens entering the foster care system due to multiple types of abuse […]
Discovering Childhood
When Dacota first came to the DePaul foster home of former child therapist, Gary Hillard, he was angry. After the system around Dacota chose to see him for his behaviors, Gary saw him for who he was, an active, fun-loving child. Gary advocated for Dacota to receive the very best care—going against the grain of […]
Are You Jonathan’s Forever Home?
Meet Jonathan Jonathan is 15-years-old and in the 9th grade. He enjoys all his courses in school and excels academically. He enjoys playing football and basketball. He is very talented and enjoys showing off his talent by spinning the basketball on all of his fingers! When he is done with high school, he hopes to begin a […]
Growing Together
While this past year has been one full of growth and positive change for DePaul, not many service locations have experienced a transition as dramatic as our Fishersville OPTIONS center. This day support program serving adults with developmental disabilities has undergone an all-around transformation—from the physical setting of the center, to a strengthened commitment in […]
Seven Steps to Becoming a Sponsored Residential Care Provider
For many individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, the opportunity to live in a nurturing, home-based setting as active members of a family can make a world of difference. DePaul’s Sponsored Residential program carefully matches children and adults with disabilities to compassionate care providers who offer personalized support to individuals in their homes. In some […]
Supporting Adoptive Families—Beyond the Adoption Process
At DePaul, we believe hope and belonging is for all of us. Since 2000, our Adoption program has worked to make this vision a reality by helping children in foster care find permanent, forever families. We provide both children and their adoptive families with the therapeutic services and support they need to ensure successful adoptive […]
Foster Care Myth Busters
About Foster Care Foster care is intended to be a temporary solution for children who have been removed from their birth family homes for reasons of neglect, abuse, abandonment, or other issues endangering their health and/or safety. Every effort is made to help the child remain with his or her family; however, when a child […]
The Spirit of Belonging
Brother and sister Morris and Mina have been part of CaSandra’s home since July 2015 when she welcomed them as foster children. Just over a year later, their adoption was finalized, and the two joined CaSandra’s big family. A long-time foster parent, CaSandra had originally intended to foster only girls and the rooms in her home, decked out […]
Getting a Read on Adoption
In celebration of National Library Week, DePaul staff members from our Christiansburg and Cedar Bluff offices presented several local libraries with donated books focusing on a topic near and dear to our hearts: adoption. During the month of April, Adoption Specialists Oma McReynolds and Andrea Oquendo in Christiansburg met with library staff at the Iris […]
Second Annual Fun Fair
DePaul Community Resources is thrilled to continue a new tradition by hosting our Forest office’s Second Annual Fun Fair on Saturday, June 10. The family friendly event is free and open to the public, and will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the DePaul office located at 4859 Waterlick Road in Forest. […]
2017 DePaul Leadership Conference: Ethical Autonomy and Intervention
On Thursday, May 18, DePaul Community Resources hosted its second annual Leadership Conference, exploring the topic of Ethical Autonomy and Intervention. Michael Gillette led the full-day seminar and provided attendees with an opportunity to discuss ethical issues related to the health and well-being of our community. Attendees spent the majority of the day reviewing and discussing […]
The Gathering
Earlier this month, employees of DePaul joined together for two days at Camp Bethel for our annual Gathering. During this event, we participated in several fun and restorative activities, recognized our FIRST award recipients, and celebrated our 40th birthday as an organization. We intentionally took time to focus on the important connection between self-care and […]
Building A Support System
Jason and Janice Annis knew they wanted to foster-to-adopt, so when they received a call about three brothers between the ages of 4 and 10, they were ready to open their home—and opening their home meant a new set of challenges. “Everyone wants adoption to be a Hallmark movie.” Janice said, “They don’t understand that […]
Christiansburg Adoption Training
DePaul Day at the Taubman Museum
On Saturday, April 1st, children and families served by DePaul were invited to a free day of art and fun at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Va. The full-day experience, sponsored by the For Alison Foundation and the Civitan, allowed participants to access Art Venture, take tours of the exhibits, and engage in a hands-on art […]
Amelia Spring Carnival 2017
Leading With Perspective
Greg Withers was called to the work of DePaul when he shed the titles of baseball, basketball, and soccer coach to his two sons and was approached about joining then DePaul board. Withers was immediately intrigued by the offer and quickly aligned himself with the mission and vision of DePaul. Over the eight years Withers […]
Finding His Voice
When Steven was 14, he was placed with a foster home and began the Treatment Foster Care program with DePaul. After many happy years together, his loving foster family found themselves unable to meet Steven’s needs and Steven, now in his forties, relied on DePaul to find a new place to call home. A longtime […]
Holly’s Journey: From Foster Care to Sponsored Residential
After a childhood spent at a training center, Holly’s journey with DePaul Community Resources began when she was placed in the Treatment Foster Care program at the age of 14. When she aged out of the foster care system, Holly transitioned to the Sponsored Residential program. What Holly didn’t know was that after years of […]
DePaul Community Resources Opens New Office In Big Stone Gap, Virginia
At the heart of DePaul Community Resources is the belief that new things are possible when you belong. In that spirit, DePaul secured a local office space in the town of Big Stone Gap in November 2016 to offer support to children and families in Scott, Wise, Lee, and Dickenson counties. This new office provides foster […]
Renee Brown, Child and Family Professional, Joins DePaul Community Resources as Vice President
DePaul Community Resources welcomes Renee Brown as Vice President of Child and Family Services. Renee’s responsibilities will include oversight of the division, strategic leadership for our existing programs, and business development opportunities. She will also have direct oversight of the Child and Family Services Leadership Team.Renee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has worked […]
Michael Norton Named Chief Financial Officer at DePaul Community Resources
DePaul Community Resources announces that Michael Norton joined the executive team on December 1st as DePaul’s Chief Financial Officer; Mike will supply our entire organization with forward-looking, strategic leadership and will oversee our financial affairs. He will entrust the day-to-day accounting operations to our Director of Finance, Jennifer Smythers, and her capable team while he […]
New Director of Day Support Services
DePaul Community Resources is pleased to announce Pamela Ringley as the organization’s new Director of Day Support Services. A valued member of the DePaul team since 1999, Ringley has served the organization’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) division in a number of capacities, most recently as Day Support Coordinator for DePaul’s OPTIONS day support center in Roanoke. […]
14th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon
October marks one of DePaul’s Favorite Traditions—the Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon. The 14th annual luncheon was the most successful Women of Achievement event to date. The awards honor leadership, volunteerism, dedication, and compassion—values shared with and upheld by DePaul—and pay homage to the countless ways in which women make a difference in their […]
Redefining Family
For a decade, Terry and Barbara Falwell have opened their home to many individuals with developmental disabilities, but they have formed a special bond with Joey, the latest member of their family. After working with other agencies, the Falwells came to DePaul and were approved as sponsored residential care providers in September 2012. “We felt […]
Lewis And The Robertsons: Living The Life He Loves
If you ask someone about Lewis, chances are good that they’ll smile. His positivity is infectious; when they talk about Lewis, there will be a laugh or two lying in wait, a full-bodied joy that you can’t help but feel. It’s the feeling of true belonging, the feeling of home. The Robertsons—Patty and Tim—knew Lewis […]
Home Sweet Harvard Home
From the outside, DePaul’s Harvard Home appears to be a comfortable, inviting group home to five women with varying developmental or intellectual disabilities. In reality, it is all of that and much more because inside its walls, a tight-knit family of residents and staff lives there. Harvard Home originally opened in Waynesboro in April 2006, […]
Engaging Families: Community-Based Services’ Parent Engagement Team
When children and families find themselves at a crossroads where therapeutic services are necessary to heal and move forward as a family unit, DePaul’s Community-Based Services program is there to guide the way. Evidence has shown that children and families who receive services while maintaining connections to community supports—such as family members, friends, schools, and […]
The Spirit Of Amelia
Just like the individuals we serve, every DePaul Community Resources location has its own challenges and opportunities—and for the dedicated staff of our Amelia office, that means time, distance, and so much more. Our Amelia office began, like all good DePaul stories, with a home. Specifically, the home of Peggy Ball, a longtime DePaul employee […]
DePaul Community Resources Receives Largest Single Gift in Organization’s History
As part of a master partnership agreement, DePaul Community Resources received a $25,000 gift from Carilion Clinic—the largest single donation ever made to the organization in its 38-year history. In addition to supporting DePaul’s mission of hope and belonging for individuals with unique challenges, the gift will be used to underwrite expenses for DePaul events […]
Building Relationships
For Sheila Walker, working in the human services field was not simply a career choice—rather, this line of work chose her. After serving in a few unfulfilling teaching roles, Sheila followed her instinct to work with children and accepted an opportunity to work in residential treatment. Later, in 2006, Sheila joined the DePaul team and […]
Supporting A Mission Of Hope
With 50 years of experience in social services, to say Betty Etzler is an expert in the field is an understatement. Beginning her career as a social worker in 1964 prior to the establishment of protective services, Betty was well aware of the dire situations of abused and neglected children as well as the shortage […]
Empowering Families
In her role as a children’s services coordinator for Campbell County, Summer Tetterton is at the root of strengthening families in her community. In collaboration with the area’s Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT), Summer organizes a group of professionals to recommend services to children and families in adverse situations. Since entering the position four […]
Extending A Helping Hand
Gordon Ewald’s call to join DePaul came in the form of a persistent neighbor who urged him to consider volunteering with the organization. Already active in the community, Gordon—a Roanoke native and former family business owner—served on numerous boards in the area, but in 2007, he decided to meet with DePaul’s executive director and take […]
Welcoming New Possibilities
When Bertha and Mark Hoover first contacted DePaul to become foster parents, they could not have anticipated how much their family, their home, and their hearts would expand as a result. One of their first placements was a little boy they fell in love with and a year later, they adopted him into their family. […]
Looking Forward To Tomorrow
When Beth was diagnosed as developmentally disabled at age 2, her mother, Katherine, provided her with the compassionate care needed for Beth to grow into a kind, loving individual who could function well despite her unique challenges. Despite having a developmental disability and mental illness, Beth now thrives in the home of her sister, Melissa, who […]
There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays
There’s no place like home for the holidays. Countless singers have said these words, originally made famous by the great Perry Como, and while the song may have only been penned in 1954, it expresses a sentiment much, much older. There is no place like home for the holidays—a feeling men, women, and children have […]
Coming Home: Services for Reuniting and Strengthening Families
When a child is placed in foster care, a family is created. When that same child finds their forever home through adoption, a family is created. Creating families is at the heart of our work at DePaul. We work to strengthen and reunite existing families. The children and young people that we serve often enter […]