Boys Appeal Fall 2024

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lynchburg, VA PERMIT NO.161

the boys appeal NEWS FROM BOYS HOME OF VIRGINIA| FALL 2024

SCHOOL YEAR 2024-2025 TOGETHER WE CAN!

414 Boys Home Road Covington, Virginia 24426 (540) 965-7700 www.boyshomeofva.org Change Service Requested

Boys Appeal | Fall 2024 A successful “What's man Learned has to Here start Issomewhere...

For Life”

Together WE can transform lives! Are you ready?

Boys Home of Virginia is in the daily business of transforming the lives of each young man we serve. Your support contributes to education, housing, food, clothing, activities and so much more. As the school year continues, our goal is to support 52 students at an annual rate of $66,500 per student. Since Boys Home is 98% privately funded, every contribution is valued. It allows us to offer this program to more young men who would thrive with the opportunity Boys Home can provide.

Are you ready to support a mission that helps children reach their full potential daily?

As always, we are grateful for your support!

HOW TO GIVE Online | Scan the QR code and select “Annual Giving” in the drop-down menu.

Check | Sent to Boys Home of Virginia 414 Boys Home Road, Covington, VA 24426

GET IN TOUCH Director of Development Dr. J.R. Farrington jrfarrington@boyshomeofva.org 540.620.6108

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WHAT'S LEARNED HERE IS FOR LIFE

CHRIS DOYLE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 414 Boys Home Road | Covington | VA | 24426 Website | boyshomeofva.org Email | info@boyshomeofva.org Phone | 540.965.7700 Dear Friends and Supporters of Boys Home of Virginia, I hope this message finds you well. As we continue to navigate through another exciting school year at Boys Home, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of our community. Your dedication allows us to offer opportunities and Mr. Chris Doyle, M.Ed., MBA resources that truly make a difference in the lives of our young men now and those we will serve in the future.

Executive Director It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce an important new initiative at Boys Home: the Student Success program. This comprehensive program is designed to President: Mr. Perry Williams complement our existing academic offerings by focusing on critical life skills that Vice President: Mr. Matthew Compher extend beyond the classroom.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Treasurer: Mr. Kenneth Robison II The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas Bishop Diocese of Southwestern Virginia The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes Bishop Diocese of Southern Virginia Ms. Andrea Azarm Representative Diocese of Southern Virginia

Mr. John Williams The Hon. Philip DiStanislao, Jr. Mr. Drew McKone

Mr. Eric Greenwood

This program is not just an addition to our curriculum; it is a vital extension of our mission to fully prepare our young men for the world ahead. By integrating these skills into their daily lives, our students are better positioned to achieve success in college, vocational trades careers, military service, and more.

We are thrilled to embark on this journey and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our students. I invite you to learn more about the Student Success program in the pages that follow and to join us in celebrating the continued growth and achievements in the Boys Home community.

Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. Together, we are shaping brighter futures. I look forward to the school year ahead and celebrating the remarkable achievements that happen on “The Hill” daily.

Mr. Robert Miller Ms. Ann Patterson The Rev. Chris Roussell

With gratitude,

Mr. Bernard “Bud” Syme Mr. Robert “Bob” Mills Mr. Sequoia Nightfeather Alumni Representative

We are currently accepting new students and have several full scholarships available. Since 1906, the Boys Home program has offered young men a new path toward success. The path to success is not a one-size-fits-all and life happens along the way. We are here to welcome young men into a comforting and supportive environment of peers and staff. Please pass this information along, if you know someone who could benefit from the Boys Home program.

We would like to share a few parent testimonials, so you can hear in their words why they choose the program and its effectiveness. Although the testimonies below are from Virginia residents, please note that we take students throughout the country.

"When you choose the Boys Home program, you are making a good decision. At the time, it was a heartbreaking and difficult decision, but it is what my son needed. At home, he was beginning to go down the wrong path and was hanging out with the wrong crowd. I knew he needed a different environment, but I didn't want him to be too far from home.

When we took a tour, I was surprised at how much it felt like a home and the grounds were beautiful. After being in the program for just over a year, he was more respectful, had better manners, and was mature enough to repair the family relationships that had been damaged. My son successfully graduated from the Boys Home School in May 2024. He is now in Air Force boot camp in Texas. I am so proud of the man he has become."

(Parent Testimony/Roanoke, VA)

The Student Success program is built around five key areas: life skills, study skills, character development, financial literacy, and leadership. These elements are not only essential for academic success but are also crucial in preparing our students for success after Boys Home.

Mr. David Copenhaver Mr. Dennis Cross

Admissions | Our doors are open, and we are ready for you!

Chris Doyle Executive Director | Boys Home of Virginia

“The Boys Home executive director visited our church a couple of years ago to talk about the mission. However, we never thought we would need them for our own family. When our son started having problems, we researched several programs but couldn’t find one that fit our budget and his needs. Once we came across Boys Home, we knew we had a match. The program helped our son turn his life around and opened a future of possibilities.”

ADMISSIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION Director of Admissions and Evaluation Brittany Tate

Phone | 540.965.7739 Email | btate@boyshomeofva.org Website | boyshomeofva.org Address | 414 Boys Home Road Covington, Virginia 24426

(Parent Testimony/Charlottesville, VA)

SCAN HERE for more information

PLEASE NOTE Boys Home is not equipped to offer services to individuals with severe emotional, mental, or physical needs that require a residential treatment setting.

WISH LIST

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The “Wish List” can now be found online.

Please scan the QR code below to access the list.

NOVEMBER 2 8th Annual Harvest Hustle

d xcite ool e s i Paul t the sch ! abou ar ahead ye

NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 1 Thanksgiving Break

DECEMBER 3 Giving Tuesday

HAROLD B. PRESSLEY | ALUMNI CORNER “The Boys Home program was a blessing in disguise. It gave me hope when I needed it most.

It helped me learn who I am as a man.” (B Pressley) Like most young men, B’s story started off rather traditionally. He was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, by his mother and father. In 2007 his life began to change. When he was seven years old, his parents divorced. This was the beginning of what would become a difficult chapter in B’s life. Just two years later, at age nine, his mother had a bad accident which left her paralyzed. A year later, she passed away. B went to live with his mom’s older sister. He was lost, frustrated, and sad. His behavior began to take a turn for the worse and it was time for a change.

Work Ethic | A life skill every young man needs.

“I want the young men we serve to learn a strong work ethic. Work is something we all do, every day. Every young man needs to learn the right way to work. That is one of the main goals of the Boys Home work program.

Our students are part of a community and should take pride in the area where they go to school and live.”

(Director of Facilities, Mark Nelson) Beyond work ethic, the program is meant to instill and grow the students in accountability, a positive attitude, responsibility, education, and safety while completing the task.

For the 2024-2025 school year, the work program is five days a week and just under two hours. The current project is installing new fencing on the farm. The assignment allows the students to learn how to dig post holes, use a level while placing the posts, measuring for the correct distance between each post and more.

At age ten, B came to Boys Home. He stated, “I remember watching my aunt’s car drive away and it set in that this was real. I had a lot of emotions running through my mind. I was scared and excited. I knew I needed a fresh start.” B believes he may have set a record for how long he went through the evaluation phase but eventually decided to give the Boys Home program a chance.

Mark stated, “It’s incredible to watch a student’s confidence grow when they learn a new skill and take ownership of a project. They take pride in seeing their accomplishments, especially when the project is complete. One of the students who has stepped up the most is Auggie, he is ten! The young men also learn the value in working as a team, versus individuals, the job gets done faster.”

B would stay at Boys Home from age ten to fourteen. He stated, “After just one year, I really saw a positive change in myself. The program provided me with structure and taught me the value of completing my chores, timeliness, and having a strong work ethic. The positive feedback I would receive gave me confidence. I went from not wanting to be there and misbehaving to being a leader in my cottage. There were several great role models who welcomed me into the Boys Home community. I have so many great memories during my time there.

I gained friends that would become my brothers.”

The essence of “What’s learned here is for life” is lived out in the work program. The education students receive at Boys Home goes beyond the classroom. We strive to equip them with a skill set they can use throughout their lives. At Boys Home, our goal is to raise responsible young men who become positive, contributing leaders of their communities.

B left Boys Home in 2014 and continued his education at Christchurch School, a boarding school in Virginia. He felt like he had achieved what he needed to at Boys Home and was ready for a change. Also, he wanted to be closer to Richmond. After graduating high school in 2018, he attended the University of Virginia for his undergraduate degree. B has a passion for finance and attended the college’s McIntire School of Commerce. He successfully graduated from college in 2022.

B now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and works in wealth management. When he is not putting his finance skills to the test, B enjoys one of his many hobbies. He enjoys playing golf, fishing, skiing out west, and live music.

He also enjoys taking in a Carolina Panthers game, when he has the chance.

He stated, “I can honestly say the staff at Boys Home are doing God’s work. The program helped me at a really fundamental time in my life, full of turmoil. I failed many times, but the staff would pick me up each time and get me back on the right path. I have a lot of love for Boys Home, those four years were truly a blessing.”

Farm Manager, Linda Angle, helped Haden and Orien.

Mark Nelson offered Paul a helping hand.

Meet Haden

It’s no surprise Haden was awarded Farm Crew Worker of the Year in spring 2024. He received this award along with his farm buddy, Michael. The Boys Home Farm is their happy place. They work hard but have a lot of fun while getting the job done.

Haden stated, “I grew up on a farm, but I have learned skills at Boys Home I would not have learned at home. I have learned work ethic, responsibility, and leadership. Farm work and the Boys Home work program are making me better prepared for the real world.”

Bryson was excited to get the fence completed.

Why another Facilities Campaign?

Boys Home School | Agriculture Class

We’re reaching out to share some exciting news! In our last Boys Appeal, you read about the $100,000 matching grant toward the Facilities Campaign. We successfully met the requirement and will receive the grant! A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed, you made this happen and we are grateful!

The Boys Home School has added a new class this semester. Farm Manager Linda Angle and Elementary School Teacher Virginia Scott are co-teaching an agriculture class. The class focuses on the study of plants, land, and the practice of farming. The students are fortunate to have two farms, many farm animals and a vegetable garden as their live classroom at Boys Home. Linda states, “The class is currently studying goat vocabulary and the uses of these terms. Later in the semester, we will use the goat milk produced on the farm to make goat soap. I try to offer hands-on learning as much as possible.”

In reality, the facility improvement needs of Boys Home far exceed the matching grant. Please see below, where several projects and estimated costs are featured. Keep in mind that these are only estimates. For this reason, Boys Home will continue its Facilities Campaign. We are committed to ensuring that our students have a safe and comfortable place for learning, eating, sleeping, and all activities. Additionally, to prepare for emergencies such as a power outage.

Your contribution will help support these essential needs and improvements! Together, we will keep striving to improve the Boys Home community and offer the young men we serve an excellent place to call home.

Please note that major gifts past and present for the Facilities Campaign will be recognized on the Donor Tree in the Administrative Building. ($5,000 | Leaf $10,000 | Acorn $15,000 | Boulder)

CURRENT FACILITY PROJECTS Diesel Generator $50,000

Roof Repairs | $250,000

Linda was asked about her end of the semester goal for the class. She stated, “I want to expose the students to as much animal life as possible. The more exposure they have, the more comfortable they become around animals. I hope to eventually introduce a chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) to the Boys Home students.

Through some interesting conversations, I have come to realize that many youth do not know where their food comes from prior to the grocery store or the Boys Home dining hall. I want to teach the class exactly where their vegetables and food come from and how to grow many items on their own.”

Linda’s co-teacher, Virginia, stated, “I think the agriculture class is off to a good start. It made sense to start with goats, since the students interact with that animal the most. Also, they love goats! By the end of the semester, I hope they will understand the hard work it takes to raise and care for animals on the farm and the rewards of putting in the hard work. I am also hoping the students will learn skills in leadership, the importance of knowledge, and the value of caring for humans and animals in our community and beyond.”

Road Paving $150,000

WAYS TO HELP

At Boys Home, “What’s Learned Here is For Life.” That slogan is the foundation of our program and can be seen in and out of the classroom. The new agriculture class is just one way to instill a sense of responsibility and knowledge about both animals and the environment to the young men we serve.

MAKE A GIFT

ONLINE | Visit givetoboyshome.org and on the screen for additional details, select “Facilities” in the drop-down menu for ‘gift type.’

Linda and DeLeon were discussing the chambers of a goat’s stomach.

DeLeon thought parts of the teaching were a little funny.

CHECK | You may also mail in a check, but please be sure to include “Facilities Campaign” in the memo.

Check out a progress video!

TELL A FRIEND OR ORGANIZATION Help spread the word about this campaign at Boys Home.

Scan here to donate today

Let’s keep in touch!

Boys Home needs up-to-date contact information and communication preferences for our donors. You can scan the QR code or mail in the short form below. As a reward for your effort, everyone who completes the form in its entirety and returns it will receive the custom 2024 Boys Home Christmas ornament. You don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity!

Please know that we are mindful of our communication frequency. Boys Home has a goal to keep you informed of what’s happening on “The Hill” through our mailings and digital newsletter (6 per year). We would like to thank you annually with a call.

Mail to: Asia Holloway | 414 Boys Home Road | Covington | VA | 24426 (aholloway@boyshomeofva.org or 540.965.7714) Name:

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Boys Home 8th Annual Harvest Hustle

Saturday, November 2, 2024 Walk, jog or run for a mission that transforms the lives of young men daily!

Half - Marathon 9:30 a.m. | $50

10K 9:45 a.m. | $40

5K 10:00 a.m. | $30

Scan here for more information

Scan here to complete a digital form.

Email

In an effort to be good stewards of our donors’ support, we only want to mail news and information to those who wish to receive it. Would you like to continue receiving our mailings?

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Visit runforboyshome.org to register or call 540.965.7707 for more information.

Jackson River Scenic Trail | Intervale Trailhead | 1903 Dressler Drive | Covington | VA | 24426