Glow For Hope Illuminating Compassion

DDM Receives Community Service Award

125th Anniversary: Museum Opens

CARING TIMESSummer 2015

HopeTree Family Services

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Where can you find 125 years of history under one roof? The Virginia Baptist Children’s Home Museum.

In This Issue

Pages 4-5

Providing foster care often means incorporating culture as well as compassion.

Delivering Meals on Wheels for seventeen years has earned DDM residents well-deserved recognition.

Page 10-11

Pages 7-8

Page 9

A Cultural Coming of Age

Museum Opens

Glow For Hope

Award-Winning DDM

HopeTree Family Services provides residential care to at-risk youth as well as adults with developmental disabilities. All children are treated the same regardless of ability to pay. No discrimination will take place on the grounds of race, color, sex, or other classification protected by law. All children will have equal access to nutritious meals in accordance with federal law and USDA policy. The Developmental Disabilities Ministry shall develop, carry out, and regularly monitor policies and procedures governing discrimination in the provision of services to adult residents with developmental disabilities. HopeTree Family Services shall comply with all state and federal laws, including any applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC 2101 et seq.), prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, age, sex, disability, or ability to pay.

HopeTree supporters light up the night to provide funds for and awareness of our ministries.

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WhatAbides?A Message of Hope

Dr. Stephen W. RichersonPresident

Caring Times is published 4 times per year by HopeTree Family Services, 860 Mt. Vernon Lane, Salem, VA 24153. CaringTimes@HopeTreeFS.org Phone: (540) 389-2112 Select photos may represent volunteers and not actual clients of HopeTree.Publisher...............................................................................................................................................Dr. Stephen RichersonEditor........................................................................................................................................................................Mark EarlyGraphic Designer..................................................................................................................................................Erin Cooper

Dr. Richerson is interviewed by WDBJ-7 at the Museum opening.

endeavor, for each at-risk child or youth or adult with intellectual disabilities in our care.

We understand that each person may be here for only a little while, but during that time, we will make every effort to ensure that person’s life is touched by compassion, understanding, and the love of Christ that you so readily share by supporting this ministry.

The sun does rise and go down. All flesh is grass. But we believe that each life is sacred. Each soul we reach through simple day to day interactions is a soul that is precious, unique, and deserving of our best efforts. You see, we also believe, as Paul told the Corinthians, that love abides.

Forever....

“A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises.” Ecclesiastes 1:4-5

These opening words of the Book of Ecclesiastes, often attributed to Solomon, wisest of all men who ever lived, seem to give us the notion that life does not have much meaning. Human beings have no permanency. We are born, we live a short time, we die. Only the spinning earth and its endless cycles of nature endure.

The prophet Isaiah certainly agrees, assuring us that ‘all flesh is grass.’ While both statements are true, God has granted us amazing talents and compassion to use in the time that we are here to make sure our relatively short times on Earth are as worthwhile as possible.

HopeTree Family Services has diligently worked for 125 years to make each passing day a better experience, a more worthwhile

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In keeping with HopeTree’s celebration of 125 Years of Caring, one of the Agency’s oldest buildings has been re-purposed to display lovingly preserved artifacts of our 125-year history.

The Boxley Building was constructed in 1911 thanks to a generous contribution of bricks from the Boxley family. For much of it’s life, the building housed the Agency’s print shop where residents learned to operate professional printing presses by producing all the promotional materials the Agency required. This job training saved the Agency substantial money and enabled many young men to gain employment immediately upon leaving the Home.

The advent of desktop computer

publishing eventually stilled the Home’s presses. In the intervening years, the Boxley Building housed various aspects of both the Developmental Disabilities Ministry and HopeTree Academy prior to the construction of the new HopeTree Education Center.

The Boxley Building was officially christened the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home Museum on March 13. Now, rather than producing new materials, it houses a collection of historic items that help tell the story of our Agency’s 125 year ministry to first help at-risk children, then later adults with intellectual disabilities.

“It’s wonderful. It’s so exciting to come in here and see so many things that brought back so many wonderful memories,” said Children’s Home

125 Years of Caring125th Anniversary

The former print shop which generated news of the Orphanage now houses history of the Children’s Home.

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alumna Terry Eure Perry (1961-64).

“Being here made me a productive adult and able to break the chain of what I might have been had I not had this opportunity,” said alumna Billie Burton (1954-67) of her time at Virginia Baptist Children’s Home, as HopeTree was known at that time.

From photos to letters to equipment and toys, dozens of items reveal glimpses of HopeTree’s tremendous history of caring for at-risk children and youth, as well as adults with intellectual disabilities.

The Museum houses vital documents and photos from HopeTree’s past.

You can meet some of the former residents who visited the Museum on its Opening Day by watching the video on our YouTube page.

We’re social, are you? Connect with us and get all the latest and greatest updates, photos, videos and content to help you stay informed and in-the-know about what we’re up to at HopeTree Family Services.

It’s a great way to show your support and share our mission with your network of family and friends. See you online!

Connect With Us

The Museum will be open for all visitors during the Alumni Reunion on June 28.

You can also schedule a visit by contacting Don Blanton at

(540) 389-2112 or DonB@HopeTreeFS.org.

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David Wilson(540) 389-2112

DavidW@HopeTreeFS.org

For more information about HopeTree’s 125th Anniversary Celebrations, please contact:

Donna Weinz(804) 545-1202

DonnaW@HopeTreeFS.org

Happy 125th Birthday

Happy 125th Birthday HopeTree!125 years of successful ministry are well worth celebrating and we want to share our joy with you. Below is a list of dates and locations where we are currently scheduled to hold gatherings of friends and supporters. If you would like to attend a celebration in your area, please contact us a week in advance so we can be sure to have plenty of refreshments on hand.

Also, be sure to regularly look for updates on the HopeTree Facebook page and website. We are still planning a few more events during the coming year.

8/23 First Baptist Church - Martinsville

9/13 First Baptist Church - Newport News

9/19 Fall Festival/Brunswick Stew - Salem campus

10/25 Derbyshire Baptist Church - Richmond

11/8 HopeTree at Glory Road - Henry County

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Youth in foster care come from many diverse backgrounds and traditions. HopeTree foster families understand the importance of honoring the ethnic and cultural traditions of youth in care. This is why the Young family, with the help of family and friends, threw a Quinceañera for Isabella’s fifteenth birthday.

The fifteenth birthday, or the Quinceañera, is a meaningful celebration for a young woman of Hispanic descent. In traditional Hispanic culture, the Quinceañera is a religious ceremony symbolizing the young woman taking responsibility for her own faith. A Quinceañera is similar to a sweet sixteen birthday party in the American culture, but with a greater emphasis on faith. The ceremony highlights the young woman’s religious commitment, social responsibility, and the importance of family.

Like many Hispanic young women, Isabella started dreaming about and planning her Quinceañera when

Abigail Schreiner, MSWFoster Parent Recruiter

Guest Author

Honoring Culture

she was a young girl. Typically, planning a Quinceañera is at least a year-long process. She was a bit hesitant to celebrate her Quinceañera when she realized she would be in foster care on her fifteenth birthday, but a letter from her biological mother encouraged her to enjoy the celebration. Isabella, the Young family, her caseworker from HopeTree, and her social worker from the Department of Social Services, all managed to coordinate the party in a little over a month. Many of the traditional Quinceañera

“Honoring Culture” continues on page 8

Isabella dressed in her gown for her Quinceañera.

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practices were honored on Isabella’s special night. She was showered with love and gifts. Isabella’s foster father crowned her with a tiara, representing that she is princess before God and has the power to triumph over childhood and all the challenges ahead. Her foster parents also gave her a doll, to represent her last doll of childhood as a symbol of her transition from childhood to womanhood, and a Quinceañera music box with an inscription to remind her of this special day.Rather than the traditional Catholic Mass, Isabella received words of

encouragement from family and friends. The event was solemnified with prayers and scripture readings. The Quinceañera was truly a celebration of Isabella’s life and of God’s faithfulness.

For the Young family and for many of the guests, this was their first time attending a Quinceañera. Those in Isabella’s life were able to acknowledge the beauty of this cultural tradition and this important step for Isabella as she embraces her faith, her heritage, and continues to trust God with her future.

If you have an interest in becoming a HopeTree Family Services foster parent please call (540) 444-0566 or

(804) 201-9006 or visit HopeTreeFosterCare.org.

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The 2015 Glow For Hope was a stunning success, drawing 350 runners and walkers while raising nearly $18,000 to support our ministries to at-risk children and youth as well as adults with intellectual disabilities.

Glow For Hope is a family friendly 5K Run/2K Walk event which evolved last year from our traditional walk-a-thon. We sought a way to create an upbeat event for the whole family that would raise funds and awareness for our ministry.

Armed with luminescent bracelets and necklaces, neon-toned t-shirts, and their beaming enthusiasm, Glowers sprinted and strolled off into a perfect May evening to demonstrate their support for HopeTree and its ministries. Music, games, food, and a host of awards awaited them on their return. Most importantly, however,

Hope Events was our undying gratitude to those who contributed their energy, time, and resources to make the Glow For Hope such an amazing success.

Thank you to the following sponsors:

Cuz’s Auto Repair

Humphrey, Stump & Haynie Insurance, Inc.

John T. Morgan Roofing

Meriwether Godsey

Reynolds Architects, Inc.

Glow For Hope 5K Run & 2K Fun Walk

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Award-Winning ServiceDevelopmental Disabilities MinistryIt’s no secret the men and women who participate in the Developmental Disabilities Ministry’s Day Activities program in Salem are an energetic group. After all, they are lovingly referred to as the Fun Bunch.

But the Fun Bunch does more than merely take day trips around the area and enjoy each others’ company in the Day Activities area.

They freely give of themselves to serve their community. Now they have been awarded for their efforts.

On April 14, the Roanoke, VA Local Office on Aging presented the Day Activities group with the Helen Phelps Memorial Award for their outstanding volunteer service to the Meals on Wheels program.

DDM participants have delivered Meals on Wheels for 17 years, usually serving two routes each week. Over that span of time, the

men and and women of DDM have established some amazing relationships with those they serve. Here is one example cited during the Awards Presentation:

“We have one couple whom we delivered to for several years. Each time we would go to their apartment the couple would always want a hug and ask how everyone was doing. At Christmas 2013, the husband passed away. Two of our residents continue to visit the wife every week. They draw her pictures, make her cards and bring her little craft items they have made. Most of the time her door is standing open waiting on her weekly visit and hug. She does not receive the meals any longer, but Meals on Wheels allows us the opportunity to continue this friendship. She has told us multiple times how much she looks forward to her visits and our folks really look forward to seeing her. Not too long

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Blessings Home UpdateThe Blessings Home on the Salem campus is nearing completion. Interior painting is complete and some key furnishings have been obtained. However, important finishing details need to be completed. Contact David Wilson at DavidW@HopeTreeFS.org or (540) 389-2112 to lend assistance, discuss naming opportunities, or make a contribution.

Meanwhile, the HopeTree Wright DDM Home has just opened in Virginia Beach. If you have an interest in supporting or learning more about the newest addition to the DDM family, please contact Monica Keane, Manager, at (757) 510-3688.

ago she was not feeling well and our folks came back and prayed for her. They were thrilled the next week when she was doing better.”

HopeTree Family Services offers heartfelt congratulations to the ‘Fun

Bunch’ for a well-deserved award. Furthermore, we wish to thank each DDM participant in the Meals on Wheels program for their selfless commitment to serving the needs of others.

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Arnold, Mae Mrs. Patricia M. WhitesellCason, Debbie Mrs. Patricia M. WhitesellFlora, Lee A.Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. BowlesLoftin, Gay N.Ladies Sunday School ClassParr, Betty Mrs. Patricia M. WhitesellPleasant View Baptist Church Dr. & Mrs. Stephen W. RichersonReynolds, Glenn P.Inn at Burwell PlaceShortell, Marilyn Mrs. Patricia M. WhitesellStegar, Phyllis Mrs. Patricia M. WhitesellWolfrey, Marge Ladies Sunday School Class

The following contributions have been given to HopeTree in honor or in memory of someone who has touched lives.

Honors & Memorials

Children’s Ministry HonorsJanuary 1 - March 31, 2015

Children’s Ministry MemorialsJanuary 1 - March 31, 2015

Allen, Carol M.Mr. & Mrs. Herman L. AllenAyers, Karen L.Ms. Dorothy JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Gary S. WilliamsAyers, Lurline T.Hollins Road Church of the BrethrenBelitsky, Peter,Ms. Irina Y. Volchansky

Beazley, Berniece P.Mr. Gordon BeazleyMrs. Jan Clayton

Berryman, Evelyn Mr. & Mrs. David A. HuxBrogden, Candace Evelyn Townsend CircleBryant, Getta Mr. & Mrs. Stewart R. MaxwellBaptist WomenMs. Virginia T. LawsBurton, Pauline A.Mr. & Mrs. John W. BurtonCollins, Norman Ms. Charlotte R. SnappCrowder, Frances Mrs. Patricia C. MontriefDavis, Ethel E.Ms. Lindsay MutchlerDunn, VergieMrs. Janice C. WhiteDunlap, Donald J.Mr. & Mrs. Michael W. GlanderFisher, H. B.Mrs. H. B. FisherGarnett, Margaret D.Mrs. Janice T. AshleyGoldsmith-Norton, Julie Mrs. Erdine L. WalterHoward, Elizabeth G.Mr. & Mrs. Henry L. HowardHowell, Ruby V.Evelyn Townsend CircleHurd, Paul Mr. & Mrs. Michael B. HurdLuckett, Evelyn Mr. & Mrs. Currie W. Stout, Sr.McGann, Dorothy S.Mr. & Mrs. Elton Y. McGannMiller, Charlotte L.Mr. & Mrs. Mike Bishko

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To recognize someone who has impacted your life, complete the form on the reply envelope included with this magazine and return it to the Advancement Department along with your gift.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert BradshawMr. & Mrs. Ron FreresMr. & Mrs. Alan HeuerMorse, Madge Evelyn Townsend CirclePalmer, Joyce Evelyn Townsend CircleRicherson, Joseph Mr. & Mrs. George J. HarrisonRev. & Mrs. Paige A. YoungRiley, Helen C.27 Farms of Homestead, Inc.Smith, Virginia T.Westover Baptist ChurchMr. & Mrs. Millard WilliamsStout, Nora L.Mr. & Mrs. Currie W. Stout, Sr.Vann, Andy Mr. & Mrs. Samuel G. GriffinVest, Ruby Ms. Joan M. Kopcial WMUVolchansky, GermanMs. Irina Y. VolchanskyWhite, Ronald B.LTC & Mrs. Ben DobsonMr. & Mrs. Albert W. MorrisonMs. Frances A. PiersonMs. Jeanne SchellhaseMr. & Mrs. George M. SiskMr. & Mrs. Elsie StanaskiWilliams, Freddie Ms. Mabel MooreWorrell, Rhonda J.Mr. Michael J. Boyd

Abernethy, Adrian Rev. & Mrs. Timothy T. Brendle

Scott, Rachel AnnFaithful Workers Sunday School ClassSmith, Ralph E.Faithful Branches Class

Developmental Disabilities Ministry HonorsJanuary 1 - March 31, 2015

Developmental Disabilities Ministry MemorialsJanuary 1 - March 31, 2015

Allen, Allie W.Ms. Charlotte E. WhitleyGregory, William Rev. & Mrs. Justin L. HorneHunt, Alma F.Mrs. Linda G. MinterLewis, Bivens Mrs. Lucille L. SloanMiller, Charlotte K.Mr. Stephen AltermanMr. & Mrs. William BradshawDr. & Mrs. Calvin McCallMr. George VogelRouleau, Joan Mrs. Lucille L. SloanScott, David S.Mr. William P. BarlowMs. Jo Ann C. Colvin Mrs. Barbara C. HeltzelMs. Bess Q. KirklandMs. Kay KirklandMr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. PepperMs. Dana S. FaulconerMr. Joseph B. KeeseeMr. & Mrs. Earn R. YearginSloan, Jeanne Mrs. Lucille L. SloanSmith, Virginia T.Mrs. & Mr. Sue C. Williams

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HopeTree Family Services provides a wide range of services for at-risk children and youth from locations in:

•Chester•Craig County•Henry County

•Salem

HopeTree’s Developmental Disabilities Ministry provides services for adults with intellectual disabilities in the following locations.

•Abingdon •Blue Ridge•Chase City •Farmville

•Fredericksburg •Martinsville•Richmond •Salem

•Virginia Beach

For more information on the services available in these locations, how to support those services with your contributions or volunteer efforts, or gain access to those services, please visit HopeTreeFS.org, or call:

Richmond office (804) 545-1202

or

Salem office(540) 389-2112

Service Locations Upcoming Events

Saturday, September 19th

In honor of our 125th year of service, we’re hosting a community fall festival on our Salem campus in conjunction with the annual Brunswick Stew event. Enjoy a delicious bowl of authentic Brunswick Stew and kick back while listening to live bluegrass music. We’ll have pumpkin painting, corn toss, and other fun activities and food. This is a fall event that you don’t want to miss!

Visit our events page on HopeTreeFS.org for more details.

Fall Festival & Brunswick Stew

Alumni ReunionJune 27th - 28th

Make your plans now for the greatest homecoming of all...the 2015 HopeTree Family Services Alumni Reunion.

In honor of our 125th year of ministry, the Reunion’s schedule of events has been expanded. June 27th will feature open pool, fishing, a picnic dinner, and a movie in the quad.

Sunday, June 28th will feature our traditional noon meal, chapel service, and Watermelon Social.

Contact the Advancement team at (540) 389-2112 more information and to register for the Reunion!

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Celebrating Our Past By Ensuring Our Future.HopeTree Family Services has successfully changed lives across the Commonwealth for 125 years because far-sighted, caring individuals made sufficient contributions to first establish, then maintain, our ministry.

We are proud to dedicate 2015 to celebrating our past. We also believe we must honor our heritage by taking this opportunity to continue ensuring our future.

During 2015, our goal is to raise an additional $250,000 above supporters’ regular contributions.

$125,000 in honor of our first 125 years and $125,000 to help ensure the next 125 years. We are calling this effort the 125 Challenge.

The 125 ChallengeContributions will be accepted through any of our usual donation opportunities, as well as through three new fun ways created just for you. Call (540) 389-2112, (804) 545-1202, or visit HopeTreeFS.org.

- Coins for Hope- Envelopes of Hope- Hope Event

There is a special box on the Reply Envelope included with this magazine that you can select to indicate that you are Celebrating Our Past...By Ensuring Our Future.

Portsmouth Cottage, our oldest building, was completed in 1902.

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