Have you heard about Hilliard House?

I found out about Hilliard House and wanted to share about this wonderful place located in the east end of Richmond. I grew up in east Henrico (Highland Springs) and its nice to see that there is such a cool place out near where I grew up.

Hilliard House is a “House Full of Potential” that offers holistic and is a unique housing program, they offer homeless women and homeless women with children the opportunity to live in a supported environment while transitioning from crisis to stability. Located on Nine Mile Road at Dabbs House Road across from the government complex in eastern Henrico County, this thirty-bed facility was once the Hilliard family farm. I remember this farm and thought it was such a cool place that had been abandoned. This is so wonderful.

The Henrico Board of Supervisors was very supportive of the idea of Hilliard House from the beginning. Supervisor Jim Donati suggested the property at 3900 Nine Mile Road. The property belonged to the Hilliard families who lived in the 1920’s vintage farmhouse. It remained in the family until the County purchased it in 1993. HCHC leased the property from the County, raised $1.5 million and built the campus-like facility incorporating the house and stable that was on the property.

Ellie Meleski and Karl Bren, long known in the Richmond community for advocacy for affordable housing and services to the homeless, were the driving force behind this effort.
After renovating the farmhouse and adding 10 bedrooms, meditation room, children’s play area, and light filled living space, Hilliard House opened in October of 2000. Since then they have served over 135 individuals half of whom are children. From a pool of many nominees, Hilliard House was privileged to receive a HUD Virginia Best Practices Award in 2000.
Who do they help? The residents come from Henrico County(30%), Richmond City (35%), Chesterfield (15%), Petersburg/Hopewell area( 15%), and the rest from Central VA. Their homelessness is caused by eviction due to financial difficulties (job loss, loss of partner), domestic or family violence; substance abuse issues or incarceration. Many live doubled up with friends or family members before being on the street or seeking emergency shelters.

They could use your help!!! This month, the financial institution that I am working at is collecting household items such as trash bags, laundry detergents, etc. If you want to be a help to an organization that helps people who live in your community, please click on the link above and contact them. I'm sure they would love to hear from you.

Here's to a great weekend!!

Beamer 319