Eight young men will get a fresh start this school year in Chesapeake, when they move into their new home at the Elder’s House. The ribbon-cutting was Aug. 24 at 860 Bells Mill Road.
In 1907, seven men built the original church where The Elder’s House now sits. Fast forward to 2018, and this same piece of land will provide a new home for boys aged 12 to 17. The hope is for them to reside there until completion of high school, according to publicist Kimberly Wimbish.
The $900,000 residential-care facility is designed to look like a normal home in the neighborhood. The builders helped come up with the concept of the name to avoid any stigma. “They will have a sense of normalcy, by saying, ‘I live at Elder’s House!,’ said Bishop Kim Brown.
Brown and his wife Elder Valerie Brown, both pastors of The Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, have been working on this project for three years. The selected boys will come from families who are having difficult times. The young men must have a clean criminal record and no behavioral issues, Wimbish said. Occupancy is expected within the next two months.
The Elder’s House has raised more than $400,000, including $250,000 from one anonymous donor, she said. The facility will be self-funded from donations.
