A community-centric collaborative offering acceptance, housing, and sustainable support for people with mental health conditions and their families.
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Most will call 2020 the year to forget. Not in our case. Let me tell you about some of our people. Yes, we lost two souls. Unforgettable people. People who we are glad we all knew. Andrea Bond, a peer and Williamsburg Fairweather Lodge member, and Betty Anne Griffin, a caregiver, NAMI Williamsburg family support group member, and vital family donor to Hope Family Village. My tribute to Andrea appears here. Earlier in December, I learned that we had lost … read more
It has been a long time since I have posted. Like many of you, families and caregivers, life changed in mid-March 2020. We had our last supper, so to speak, of Hope Family Village families at Jimmy’s in March. Jerry and Joy, one of our founding families, were bravely there. They are in their mid- to late 80s. They have always encouraged me. Been very active in NAMI Williamsburg, operating exhibits for both Hope Family Village and NAMI. For the … read more
In real life we see and know angels. Andrea (an-Drey’-ya), as she preferred to be called, was such an angel. For those of us who knew her, we experienced her bright light. Corey, Andrea, and Courtney, Hope Family Village Dinner,Jimmy’s, December 13, 2018Photo: Dave Ress, Daily Press Two qualities distinguish angels. They exhibit an uncommon kindness and thoughtfulness that is beyond everyday humanity. And, they are mischeviously fun. While I knew Andrea but three years, from the moment I met … read more
No, it’s not Muzzorgsky. It’s Hope Family Village. I had thought of entitling this post, 2019: Year in Review. Then, I thought that this year our accomplishments we can show in pictures. And, one photograph, taken by HFV member Jim Thomas, stands out. We journeyed for 5 years to reach this point. In October, we celebrated with a potluck supper, with family and friends, the opening of the first Fairweather Lodge … read more
Post Author: Tom Rideout During late May/early June 2019, I had the great fortune to represent Hope Family Village by attending the Annual National Cohousing Conference in Portland, Oregon. I was accompanied by another Williamsburg area volunteer, Shannon Casey, who is a brilliant Green Housing designer/developer and fully committed to caring for fellow humans suffering various neuro-diversity issues. The conference program was rich in both content and subject matter experts, so for optimal learning leverage, with two exceptions, we gladly … read more