Finding Independence, Finding Home
When Jim graduated from high school, his parents, Carol and Ron, knew it was time to find a place where he could build an independent life. Like many families, they worried about what would come next after the services and support available through school came to an end.
“We heard about this community through one of my care assistants,” Jim recalls. “When we learned more, we realized it was for everyone—not just people with intellectual disabilities.” The family came for a tour and immediately knew they had found something special.
“Every single staff member stopped to say hello to Jim,” Carol says. “Everyone was so open and friendly.” For a parent preparing to watch their child move into a new home, those small moments meant everything. “It felt really good to know the staff was so involved,” Carol says. “They were very focused on Jim,” Ron adds. “You could tell they really cared.”
After joining the waiting list, Jim moved into the community in 2021, once COVID restrictions were loosened. Since then, his parents have watched him flourish. “The last year has been a huge leap in independence,” Ron says. “He’s scheduling his own calendar, arranging his own transportation when he needs it, and making his own plans. It’s a relief to know he’s safe while also being able to enjoy the community.”
For Jim, the change has been life-changing. “I’m able to live a freer life and still be cared for, like being at home,” he says. Living independently has also opened the door to new friendships, hobbies, and experiences. “When I was living with my parents, I felt socially isolated because I had to rely on them to take me places,” Jim explains. “Now I can go where I want, as long as it’s safe.” One of his favorite activities is bowling, and he was also able to enjoy adaptive skiing and summer camp.
“I never thought I would go skiing,” Jim says. “But there’s often a way to adapt a sport.”
For Carol and Ron, Jim’s growth has brought peace of mind—and the opportunity to reclaim parts of their own lives as well. “We realized that we could have an independent life, and Jim could live his life independent from us,” Ron says. “The relief in our lives has been wonderful,” Carol adds. “We can be spontaneous again without having to line up care every time we want to do something. We see him maturing and coming into his own, and we can step back and say, ‘Look at him grow.’”
Carol knows firsthand how difficult it can be for families searching for the right support. “It’s so necessary,” she says. “It was the only place we could find in Virginia. We didn’t want to have to move to another state. It’s a real-life changer and a support system after families fall off the support cliff at age 18.”
She also wants other families to know there is hope. “To know there is a place where your child can be accepted and loved for who they are—and a place where you can trust them to be—is everything.”
Jim agrees.
“It’s pretty important for other families,” he says. “They want to live a happy life and let their family members experience living on their own.”
Looking ahead, the family is excited about the future and the impact a new home will have on Jim and others. The planned Virginia Home in Hanover will expand opportunities for many more residents, creating a vibrant community where friendships and independence can flourish.
“When the new home is built, there will be so many more residents and more new friends,” Jim says.
“I can imagine new families will feel both excitement and a little bit of fear,” Carol says. “But it’s exciting to think about the opportunities it will create for so many families. I know they’ll appreciate it.”
For Jim, the future is simple.
“I think the new Virginia Home will be great,” he says. “It’s so important for residents like me. We get to live on our own and not entirely rely on our parents.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors like the New family, more individuals with special needs will have the opportunity to experience the freedom, friendships, and independence that come from having a place to truly call home.