On a Mission - HumanKind

We are HumanKind

HumanKind focuses on building people up by providing guidance and the tools to build a better life. We are on a mission to empower people to thrive.

Together we will strengthen people, we will strengthen families and we will build a stronger community.

Our Mission

At HumanKind, our mission is to strengthen individuals, families and communities through care, counseling and education.

Our Vision

At HumanKind, we envision a compassionate society where every person is valued, families are healthy and communities prosper.

Ready to get in touch with us today?

We look forward to connecting with you. Contact us here online.

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Who We Are

HumanKind is a non-profit that wraps around local families struggling to overcome challenges associated with poverty – financial coaching, transportation, childcare, foster care, and parenting support. HumanKind meets people where they are in life and help them chart a course to achieve their goals and find stability.

With an emphasis on inclusion, we help individuals and families who face any number of life’s challenges. HumanKind has been strengthening individuals and families in Virginia for more than 120 years. We offer programs and services that instill hope and provide the tools to build a better life.

Who we Serve

HumanKind annually serves more than 9,337 clients from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Where we Are

HumanKind has multiple office locations in Bedford, Danville, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Roanoke. Many of our services reach into the greater regions surrounding these offices. Click here for addresses and contact information.

Bedford

Early Head Start

Foster Care

Sponsored Residential Homes (statewide)

Danville

Foster Care

Sponsored Residential Homes (statewide)

Lynchburg

Early Head Start

Economic Resource Center

Foster Care

Healthy Families

Sponsored Residential Homes (statewide)

Parenting and Family Support

VA Career Works (Workforce Development)

Richmond

Economic Resource Center

Foster Care

Sponsored Residential Homes (statewide)

Roanoke

Economic Resource Center

Sponsored Residential Homes (statewide)

Not every journey looks the same.

We meet our clients where they are in life – and help them chart a course to achieve their goals. We believe that when we make ourselves strong, we make our families strong, and our communities stronger.

What We Do

Adult Services

Places individuals with developmental disabilities in the home of a loving family that provides individualized support and the opportunity to experience life in a community setting. Sponsored homes located across the state of Virginia.

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Early Head Start

Provides support for families and free, full-time child care for infants and toddlers in Bedford and Lynchburg. The program provides tools and resources to families of children ages 0-3 at home and in our centers to build a strong foundation for life.

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Economic Resource Center

Our team of financial coaches walk with individuals and families to build strategies to get out of debt and move toward stability through one-on-one financial counseling, workshops, fair interest vehicle lending, career coaching, and ongoing case management.

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Foster Care

Provides around-the-clock support, ongoing training for foster parents, and a network of professionals to assist with daily needs for children in foster care. Providing a stable foundation of support, we create a place for healing and growth for children.

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Healthy Families

Home-visiting service that supports new parents prenatally through the child’s fifth birthday by focusing on positive parent-child interactions and providing one-on-one education related to healthy development and family functioning.

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Parenting & Family Support Services

Our goal is to provide life skills to those in need. We also work to foster community relationships that support family self-sufficiency and relational health.

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How to get involved

Have fun with us!

Join us for HumanKind Golf Challenge or the Lynchburg Turkey Trot!

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Make a gift!

Your financial support will change lives and meet our communities’ greatest needs.

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Donate your time

Volunteers are a vital part of HumanKind’s rich history. Individuals, families, churches, civic groups and corporate teams contribute to our mission through one-time events or recurring opportunities.

Coordinate a Drive

Ask your school, office, church, or group to help fill our food pantry with canned food and household supplies; be Christmas Angels with holiday toys; prepare Thanksgiving boxes; gather school supplies, gift cards or diapers.

Be a Foster parent

Children in our community are in need a loving and safe home. HumanKind carefully matches each child to a trained foster family to help ensure they can reach their full potential.

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Come work for us

We live through our values and our mission. We are committed to providing exceptional service to our community and that commitment extends to our employees.

Join Our Team

Success Stories

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Breaking the Cycle | Emily's Story

At HumanKind, families grow, and families heal. When one family heals, our community is stronger. Today, because of your support Emily has carved out a safe, stable home for her children.

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From Crisis to Stability | Gloria's Story

Helping Gloria bridge this gap is a gift beyond measure. You got her to the other side and helped her find stability. Because of you, she has hope for tomorrow – not just for herself, but for her children too.

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Sheltering Hearts | The Ward's Story

You are the reason these children had a family like Teesha and Irvin Ward ready and waiting to help meet their need for extensive love and care. Because of you these young lives are forever changed. These children got the love, care and support they desperately needed because you cared.

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Finding a Safe Haven | Tanisha's Story

Tanisha found the support she needed from a Family Support Specialist through HumanKind’s Healthy Families program. Your support provided Tanisha someone to walk the journey with her—ensuring a safe home and a better life for her family.

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Bridging the Gap | Aria's Story

Thanks to your gifts and this collaboration with Johnson Health Center, all EHS students and their families will have the oral health screenings they need to ensure overall better health and wellness. Because of your support, EHS staff can find gaps like this in our community and work to create solutions.

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Beyond Expectations | Emma's Story

You changed Natasha and Emma's life, and have given them the support system they needed. Because of you, Emma is defying the odds! Without you, she would have had a very different journey.

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Walking the Journey | Jennifer's Story

Jennifer found the support she needed from a Family Support Specialist through HumanKind’s Healthy Families program. Because of you, she had someone to walk with her to overcome her obstacle and push forward to make things better for her family.

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A Bridge to Hope | Kim's Story

What a gift you have made possible for Kim – her future is brighter because you provided a bridge to help her overcome this obstacle. You gave her resources and hope for tomorrow. “I am forever grateful to HumanKind for giving me the gas card that changed my life forever.”

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Chance to Rebuild | David's Story

Because of you, David had the support he needed to overcome his obstacles and make his second chance in life count, and life is now beyond what he ever imagined. “I learned so much in the Ways to Work program – it’s all led me to where I am today and helped me purchase a home”.

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Persistence puts Dreams within Reach | Keyonna's Story

Because of you, she had someone to walk this journey with her. Helping her to stick to a savings plan, pay off her debt, and build a brighter financial future for her family. Homeownership is within sight – and she has a plan that will get her there. “I don’t feel accomplished every day, but when I have things that I paid off, that’s when I’m like, ‘I was putting in that work.’"

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Finding a Way | Kaylah's Story

Because of you, a lifeline of support and resources are ready to help a mom find their way. You are a hero to families struggling to overcome challenges. “I remember just instantly crying and letting out a breath I felt like I had been holding in for months.”

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Opportunity to Overcome | Mary's Story

Mary's journey hasn't been easy and there are still challenges ahead. But because of you, this mother has access to life-changing resources. What a gift you have given her to build resiliency.

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Second Chances | Tony's Story

Because of you, Tony had the support he needed to make his second chance in life matter. And now he’s using your gift to help others along the way! Thank you for your love of people like Tony – needing a community to walk alongside him to build hope and make lasting change.

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Against All Odds | Londyn's Story

Because of you, teachers like Stephanie had the resources and the training needed to love and teach children like Londyn. You provided the support she needed to overcome these obstacles, and any others that may come her way.

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Answered Prayers | Kathy & Sarah's Story

Because of you Sarah has gained the confidence and security to build a life for her and her son. You opened doors so Kathy could help her daughter blossom into an amazing mother and make sure Aiden had a safe environment to grow and explore.

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Road to Healing | Chris' Story

What a gift you have provided Chris and his family – high quality care and access to resources to wrap around this whole family helping them to heal. Because of you, Chris and his entire family were able to take life-changing steps towards recovery and healing.

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Taking the Next Step | Kimberly's Story

What a gift you have provided Kimberly and Aja – high quality child care, job training, access to resources and wrap around family support. Because of you, Kimberly had someone to walk the journey with her and ensure a better life for her family.

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Connection is Everything | Andrew & Thomas' Story

Because of you, Andrew and Thomas have a trauma therapist to connect with them in thoughtful and unique ways and helping them build a toolkit of therapeutic skills. Your support is the reason lives are transformed, and children get the care they desperately need.

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Unexpected Blessings | Shauna's Story

Now a mom of three children, Shauna still has her moments of feeling overwhelmed as the effects of the pandemic linger on. But because of you, today she’s stronger and has the tools and resources to guide her -- to take care of herself and her family.

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A place for Love and Healing | Mitchell's Story

His smile is because of you, and the safety you make possible through your support of HumanKind foster care. Because of you, children who have suffered abuse and neglect have a place they can count on to keep them safe and help them heal. Your support is the reason lives are transformed, and children are safe.

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Finding Home | Marc's Story

Because of your generosity, when Marc came into transitional care, HumanKind had a placement that fit him just right. And the real blessing was -- it was an adoptive placement who offered him a sense of permanency for the first time in his life.

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Saying Thank You Could Never be Enough | Christina's Story

Christina, George and big sister Naomi welcomed new baby girl Kyndall into their family. Thank you for making sure this mom had the support she needed to stay safe for her family and ensuring that she is not alone at this vulnerable time.

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Carving a Path | Joy's Story

Because of you Joy found the life-changing support she needed. She has found an art to her work in hospitality and takes pride in the details that go into a great guest experience. Now she can confidently spend her days finding delight in going the extra mile to bring joy to her guests.

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Finding Refuge | Joseph's Story

Months before the world declared a pandemic, Joseph’s life was already in crisis. Because of you this child had a foster family and safe home ready to meet his needs when crisis struck.

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More than Surviving | Donna's Story

She didn’t give up – Donna wants to make life better not just for herself, but lead the way for her children. As the single income provider in her household, she had to keep everyone afloat while staying focused on her journey to financial stability. Even though she ran into hard times, your gifts helped her get through them.

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A Life Like Ours | Paul's Story

Although much of life doesn’t look the same right now, your gift ensures that Paul and his housemates have a quality of life that is meaningful to them – and as you already know, this has never been more important.

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A Place to Call Home | Roman Family Story

Ramona and Franklin Roman never gave up. And because of you they had access to resources and the support they needed to create a path to homeownership. Very soon this family will be spending the holidays in their new home.

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Discovering Resilience | Jeremy's Story

Jeremy has moderate intellectual disabilities, intermittent explosive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder – schedules and routines are everything to him. But because of you Jeremy was not alone.

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In Times of Crisis | Sabrina's Story

Sabrina thought the worst part of the coronavirus pandemic happened when the schools closed for the remainder of the school year. She was wrong, weeks later she would also lose her job.

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In Times of Fear | Dakota's Story

Thanks to you, Dakota had the support system to get the best start into motherhood. Your generosity has forever changed the life of Dakota and other mothers like her. You provided the tools she needed to overcome this obstacle.

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Finding Grace | Tyrone's Story

Because of you and your support, in the midst of a pandemic Tyrone had the resources he needed to bridge the gap. This grace is only possible because of YOU! Thank you for being a hero for our neighbors in need.

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In Times of Darkness | Rachael's Story

Facing the pandemic isolation alone, could have been disastrous for Rachael putting her right back where she started. But she had the support she needed. Now, in this global pandemic, you made sure Rachael has a lifeline. She can rely heavily on her TMC support group -- virtually.

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Building Resilience | Trevor's Story

It could have been a devastating road block, but you stepped in and made sure it was only a detour. Without you, Trevor and his grandmother would be walking through this crisis alone.

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Finding Her Voice

Change and transition do not come easy when you are an adult with autism. One of the goals that Jennifer chose for herself was to find her voice and have the confidence to make her own choices. She struggled to advocate for herself and even speak up in a group making it difficult for her peers to get to know her and support her hobbies.

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You Brought Her into the Light

And because of you and your generosity, Claire has found a forever home with biological family members in North Carolina, using words to communicate, fully potty-trained and thriving in a specialized school environment. This transformation is only possible because of YOU! Thank you for your love of children left behind like Claire.

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Chloe Smiles

Your generous support provided countless mornings of celebration when Chloe needed a cheerleader, patience when a day started hard, and offered lots of hugs when she was sad.

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Because of You

Because of you and your support, the doors at Ways to Work were open to Victoria when she had nowhere else to turn and wanted to make changes to better support her family.

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Loc Nguyen's Story

Loc Nguyen arrived to the U.S. in 1965 and didn't know any english. After spending the majority of his childhood at our Presbyterian Home, Loc comes to visit our campus every alumni weekend.

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Monica's Story

Through Family Partnership Meetings Monica's family has been able to get 'back on track'.

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Destin's Story

Destin used to feel like he couldn't be his true self in counseling sessions because of judgement. That changed when he came to HumanKind.

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Leanette's Story

After going through troubling times Leanette received a 'hand up' in life.

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Dawn's Story

Dawn has been able to find support for her educational goals and learned how to handle her emotions through the Mental Health Skill-Building program.

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Kittie's Story

Kittie has been working with Healthy Families for three years and has seen dramatic results.

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Calloway's basketball team

Jessie Calloway's basketball team rents out and practices in our gymnasium.

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Fatima's Story

Fatima was introduced to HK a few months ago and shortly after decided to volunteer.

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Julie's Story

"You know, you work every day of the week and it’s great to take some time and help other people."

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Darrell's Story

Darrell grew up in a challenging environment and was constantly surrounded by people making negative decisions. As he's gotten older he has used those past experiences to give back to the community.

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Mike's Story

I came in with no credit score at all… now, my credit score has gone up so high I can take on a mortgage.

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Craig's Story

It was because of this car loan that I was able to leave my job with an area hotel and begin my own business.

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Tamara's Story

I can say without a doubt that the Ways to Work program has changed my life for the better. It has provided me with the experience leading up to me owning my first vehicle.

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Keisha's Story

I would also like to take the time to thank Ways to Work and HumanKind and for giving me this wonderful opportunity in sustaining self-sufficiency.

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Makes a Difference | Kathy’s Story

Kathy Boyd, a single mother of three, came to the Ways to Work program seeking reliable transportation in order to secure a promotion at work.

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Keon’s Story

Having overcome homelessness with the help of partners and the Ways to Work program, Keon joined the Financial Opportunity Center to further work on building her financial security.

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Kia’sha’s Story

When twenty-two-year-old Kai’sha Taylor first came to the FOC in October of 2016, she was unemployed, pregnant, and did not know how she could plan for her future as her due date was rapidly approaching.

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Shekia’s Story

Shekia Stukes began working with HumanKind’s FOC and Ways to Work programs just a few months ago and she has already made great strides.

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Ashley's Story

"Thanks so much for taking care of Nic and for all that you guys have taught him. He absolutely adores you, Ms. Karen, and Ms. Katie. !! The family involvement is one of a kind, and I’m grateful to have met so many wonderful parents!"

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Quick Links

HumanKind has been helping children and families become stable and find a path to a better foundation for life since 1903. Every day, HumanKind meets people where they are to join them on a journey of building their skills and confidence through early education, parenting support, or even securing a car loan. Our team of care coordinators crafts a plan to encourage each individual to take one more step towards self-reliance, empowering them to achieve their highest level of independence.

Annual Reports & Financials

501(C)(3) FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 54-0346118

Every dollar counts. Your support ensures that we can effectively deliver services in communities across Virginia that empower individuals and families to become stable and self-sufficient. It also allows HumanKind to expand those services in the most efficient, strategic way possible.

Annual Reports & Financials

HumanKind Newsletters

Stories and Impact from the Front Lines

Read the latest newsletter from HumanKind and see how vulnerable local families are being empowered to change their lives because of your generous and faithful support.

HumanKind Newsletters

HumanKind In the News

Community News and the latest from HumanKind

HumanKind in the news and our articles, press releases, announcements, and other news about the work we’re doing.

News + Updates

HumanKind Locations

HumanKind Locations across Virginia

HumanKind has locations across the state of Virginia to help serve children, adults, and their families. We invite you to learn more about our service areas and the programs available in your community.

HumanKind Locations

Our History

120+ years serving the community

Since 1903, HumanKind has helped to strengthen and empower families. We believe that strong families create a stronger community – the kind of community where we all want to live. This work continues today evolving to meet current needs.

Our History

Leadership

HumanKind’s Board of Directors + President’s Team

Our volunteer Board of Directors contributes hundreds of hours of service to HumanKind each year. They work collaboratively with our President’s Team to guide the organization and move forward to meet the needs of our community.

Our Leadership

Careers

Make a Difference in Your Community. Come work with Us!

We do work that matters every day because we want to make a difference in children and families across Virginia. Our culture revolves around respect for all humans, kindness, and passion for our work.

See Current Openings + Apply

Have a question, comment, or concern?

We would love to hear from you!

info@humankind.org
(434) 384-3131

Our Why. Our why matters to each of us individually and collectively as a whole.

We live through our values and mission. We are committed to providing exceptional service and that commitment extends to our employees. At HumanKind we envision a compassionate society where every person is valued and we believe this begins internally. Our values are service, integrity, teamwork, excellence, developing potential, diversity, and resilience.