Marian Homes Inc. started renovation last week on its third
group home for persons with intellectual disabilities. The
home in Springfield, which will house five men, is expected
to open July 1. Virginia State Deputy Steve Burnley joined
his fellow Knights of Columbus at the Feb. 26 open house.
Marian Homes Inc. is a nonprofit corporation established by
the St. Mary of Sorrows Knights of Columbus Council in
Fairfax.
The first group home, Marian House, was dedicated in August
1998 in the Brecon Ridge subdivision of Fairfax County. It
houses five women who live together in a family-like
environment.
Its second home, Regina House, opened in March 2010 in the
Greenbriar area of Fairfax and is home to five men. The third
home will be named Queen of Peace.
Bill Crowder, president of Marian Homes Inc., said the new
Springfield residence is the first one opened in partnership
with Fairfax County. The county bought the home and gave the
mortgage to Marian Homes. The agency will pay $125,000 to
renovate the house and provide operating capital and
volunteer manpower for maintenance.
Crowder said the purchase of the home is part of the county’s
long-term housing plan for persons with intellectual
disabilities.
There is a critical need for group homes in the area since
the county is expected to close the Northern Virginia
Training Center by March 2016. The training center has 140
residents.
Crowder is optimistic that Marian Homes will be able to
partner with the county to open a fourth home in 2016.
“Fairfax County wants to encourage more organizations to do
this,” he said.
All three homes are operated in partnership with CHIMES, an
international nonprofit organization that supports persons
with intellectual disabilities.
Marian Homes Inc. is entirely volunteer-based, and there are
no paid employees. Its 15-member board meets on a monthly
basis.
The Knights bring a variety of professional and personal
experiences to the ownership and maintenance of the
residences. They serve on one or more committees responsible
for governance, finance, fundraising, investment, publicity
and operations.
Marian Homes is completely dependent upon voluntary
donations.
In addition to support from other councils, it receives
yearly grants from St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax, St.
John Neumann Church in Reston and KOVAR, the state-level
organization focused on programs supporting persons with
disabilities.
Marian Homes was approved recently for inclusion in the
Combined Federal Campaign in the National Capital Area. Its
CFC donation number is 16658.
Crowder said the Knights went to the North Springfield Civic
Association meetings prior to taking possession of the home
in order to introduce themselves to neighborhood residents.
“We were very transparent in letting them know how Marian
Homes operates,” he said.
William Baker, head of the demolition crew, emphasized that
the Knights are “just facilitators. It’s the residents’
home.”
Crowder said board members reach out to their corporate
contacts to explain the vital role that Marian Homes plays in
the community. It’s a charity model that helps build
community, he said.
Crowder made a pitch to Burnley to help spread the news about
Marian Homes to other councils across Virginia.
“We would like to partner with other councils at whatever
level they feel comfortable,” he said.
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