From
1994 to 1996, the Virginia Conference Commission on Ministry to Persons
with Handicapping Conditions (now the Commission on Disabilities) and
its predecessor agency, the Virginia United Methodist Agency for the
Retarded, Inc. (VUMAR), studied the possibility of developing residential
services that would provide housing for adults with cognitive and intellectual disabilities.
As a result of those studies and research, a plan was developed and
initiated to establish a group home ministry.
The
formal relationship between Heart Havens, Inc. and the VCUMC
was established in 1996 when the Conference authorized the
creation of the not-for-profit organization in accordance
with 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended, the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission,
and the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.
Heart Havens operated under the umbrella of the tax exempt
certificate held by the Conference until it sought its own
tax-exempt authorization in 2002. On April 24, 2003, in a
written ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Service, Heart
Havens began operating independently with its own exemption
under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization
described in section 501 (c) (3).
Heart
Havens is licensed by the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and is an approved Medicaid
provider. It now operates independently from the VCUMC under the direction
of a Board of Directors. However, the Christian principles of its
mission are very much in place.
As of February 2004, nine (9) homes are in operation:
Virginia Beach, Powhatan,
Kilmarnock, Colonial Beach, Stuarts Draft,
Richmond, Winchester,
Norfolk, and Lynchburg.
All of the homes currently house between four and five residents
of any faith, race, age, and gender, who are fully supervised
at all times with dedicated and experienced shift staff.
All future homes will house at least five (5) residents.
The growth of Heart Havens, Inc has been overwhelming since
the Conference approved the ministry and in the five short
years since the first home opened in January 1999. Heart Havens,
with the assistance of the UMM of the Peninsula District,
broke ground on a new home in Newport News on Saturday June
10th, 2006. Also this year, we will start to build a new home
in Goochland.
A Video/DVD that tells the Heart Havens story has been
developed and is available for use. Contact Heart Havens to receive a copy.
Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, disability, handicap, sexual orientation, citizenship status or any condition prescribed by state or local law.
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