Heart Havens closes home in Goochland County
Heart Havens has closed its Perkins Home in Goochland County.
On July 18, the operation of the Perkins Home was transferred to Good Neighbor Homes (GNH), a local for-profit agency providing housing and support to adults with intellectual disabilities. In spite of numerous attempts, the site remained a challenge to adequately staff in a manner consistent with the quality and standards of other Heart Havens programs.
“Our fervent hope was that the men and women living in the Perkins home would have every opportunity to stay together as a family unit,” said Jennifer Boyden-Barrett, CEO of Heart Havens, a conference-related agency that provides group home care for adults with disabilities.
During the transition time leading up to the closing date, the individuals and their families worked to identify the best supportive housing solution for each person. Heart Havens met with all providers that expressed interest to offer information in the process. After much discussion, the families chose GNH.
“Volunteers from area United Methodist churches and community organizations have played a vital role in the lives of the residents of the Perkins Home,” she added. “Throughout this process, volunteers were kept informed of plans for the Perkins Home and encouraged to maintain the relationships they had developed with the residents. It was important to all concerned that the friendships and relationships that were developed between residents and volunteers continue to be nurtured.”
Volunteers from area United Methodist churches and community organizations have played a vital role in the lives of the residents of the Perkins Home,” she added. “Throughout this process, volunteers were kept informed of plans for the Perkins Home and encouraged to maintain the relationships they had developed with the residents. It was important to all concerned that the friendships and relationships that were developed between residents and volunteers continue to be nurtured. In our meetings with the administration and staff at GNH, we discussed the role volunteers played in the daily activities of the residents and GNH was eager to continue to support those relationships.”
Many of the staff will continue to work at the Perkins Home as employees of GNH and/or Heart Havens.
Heart Havens, a non-profit organization providing residential services for adults with intellectual disabilities, operates 12 other homes across Virginia supporting more than 50 individuals.
For more information about Heart Havens, visit www.hearthavens.org.
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