At HumanKind, every success story begins with a spark — a moment when someone chooses to take a brave step toward stability. This year, that spark has turned into a wave of change across our community, as programs like Ways to Work, Treatment Foster Care, Early Head Start, and Healthy Families empower individuals and families to build stronger, more stable futures.
Ways to Work Program Builds Strength & Stability
The HumanKind Ways to Work program is having a record-breaking year providing fair-interest car loans to working individuals who need reliable transportation.
Because of your support of Ways to Work, in recent weeks:
- a mom no longer has to walk along busy roads with no sidewalks while carrying her baby to run errands
- a worker stabilized his employment because he now has reliable transportation to get to work on time
- a family could eliminate expensive ride services to get back and forth to work and can now put those funds aside for other critical needs
Ways to Work is all about empowering families, reducing barriers, and creating lasting impact in our community.
“Allison and I wanted to pass along what a fantastic experience that we had working with the entire team at Ways to Work. With our struggles financially, our housing situation and other factors we felt that getting a reliable vehicle was out of reach. Once we were pointed in your direction everything turned around, the process was made easier by you and the team. You guided us through each step, eased our concerns, and made us feel hopeful on a daily basis.”
— Recent Warrenton client
When Foster Care Builds a Bridge to Stability
Selah, Stella, and Sam all entered foster care in mid-2023 as the result of their parents being incarcerated. When the siblings entered the HumanKind Treatment Foster Care program, they were significantly behind on having their medical needs addressed, were diagnosed as developmentally delayed, and were in need of wraparound support.
After about six months in foster care, the children’s parents were released from jail and enrolled in treatment programs. While doing this, the parents also started to participate in ongoing visits with the siblings with the goal of being able to get them back home.
The parents put in a lot of hard work, met their treatment goals, were able to secure housing and employment, and remained compliant with ongoing visitation. The parents were able to make significant progress, as were the three children, and due to this, the decision was made to begin family reunification.
Throughout the course of this transition, the foster parents were huge advocates for the birth family and supported this reunification fully. Additionally, leading up to the transition, the foster parents were able to build a relationship with the birth family and worked to ensure that all services and support were in place for the children.
Shortly after reunification, the birth parents faced challenges maintaining services and work schedules, prompting them to reach out to the former foster parents. Without hesitation, the foster parents stepped in — offering to care for the children over the weekend, organizing a meal train, and coordinating transportation to appointments. Their unwavering, judgment-free support helped the birth parents stabilize their routines, restore services, and maintain employment, ensuring the children’s needs were consistently met.
Thanks to your investment, compassionate foster families, and committed birth parents, HumanKind Treatment Foster Care is building better futures for families!
Camila Finds Path to Brighter Future through EHS
Camila was a determined young woman who excelled academically and dreamed of leaving her small Virginia town to pursue a meaningful career, possibly in education. She loved working with children and held two part-time jobs caring for them, but becoming a mother at 19 was not part of her plan. With the support of her committed partner, Camila faced the reality of raising a child and soon expecting another, prompting the couple to relocate to Lynchburg in search of a better future.
The transition was difficult — Camila was unemployed, pregnant, and without affordable childcare options. She learned about HumanKind Early Head Start, a program offering childcare, coaching, and medical/developmental support to low-income families. Although she qualified, there were no immediate openings, leaving her discouraged. Without reliable childcare, unable to work. Months later, spots opened for both children, and Camila began her job search. Eventually, she was offered a substitute teaching position at Early Head Start, allowing her to work while staying close to her boys.
Camila quickly proved herself and earned a full-time role with benefits. Then, Camila’s life took an unexpected turn when her partner left. Thanks to wrap-around services provided by staff, the children remained enrolled while Camila secured custody and a new home for her family. Camila also recognized a different career would better balance this new role of single parent, so with support from her Family Engagement Specialist, she returned to school. Today, Camila holds her head high. Her children are thriving, and so is she.
There remains a critical shortage of child care in the Lynchburg area. Help us expand our center to be there for other parents like Camilla.
Teen Mom Grows Resilience with Help from Healthy Families Program
Healthy Families pairs expecting parents and those with young children with a family support specialist to provide education and coaching to help move toward their goals and grow in their parenting skills.
“I am very proud of Kayla! She started services prenatally at 18, dropped out of school and was not working, and unsure about upcoming parenthood. We talked through a lot of parenting practices, and I gave her lots of research backed information. She has made great, healthy, and safe decisions regarding her baby (who is now 6 months old). Kayla started working on her GED (high school diploma equivalent) and is one test away from finishing it. She wanted to start working and made a Family Goal Plan. She applied for jobs and has been working as a hostess and loves her job!”
— Family Support Specialist Therese
With Your Help We Will Soon Double our Early Head Start Capacity
Help us build a strong foundation for families in our community. Construction has begun on expanding our Fenwick Drive center in Lynchburg. Community members gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking (right). Won’t you join them in helping build a strong foundation for stronger families?
Your generosity changes lived. Thank you!
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