NEW's Community Connection Spotlight - Hilliard House
Brief History
In 1993, Henrico Community Housing Corporation (HCHC) was founded as a non-profit corporation. Its mission was to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for people in Henrico County. The Henrico Board of Supervisors was very supportive of the idea of Hilliard House from the beginning. Supervisor Jim Donati suggested the property at 3900 Nine Mile Road. The property belonged to the Hilliard family who lived in the house constructed in the 1920's. It remained in the family until it was purchased by the county in 1993. HCHC leased the property from the County, raised $1.5 million, and built the campus-like facility incorporating the house and stable that were on the property. Hilliard House was established as a separate 501 (c) (3) corporation in July 2000. The Board was responsible for the programming, staffing, maintaining the facility, and raising funds to meet the budget.
What is Hilliard House?
Hilliard House is a transitional facility for homeless women and homeless women with children located in the East End of Henrico on Nine Mile Road. This 30-bed facility is only one of two facilities in the Metro Area which offers shelter for women who have children up to the age of 18, both male and female.
The goal of Hilliard House is to offer a safe, supportive community in which a woman can heal from the traumas of life that have led her to her current situation. Each woman meets with a case manager and sets both short-term and long-term goals which enable her to take the necessary steps to successfully return to the community. Opportunities for job training, GED classes, twelve step programs, parenting and anger management classes, communication, nutrition, classes and activities for the children, encourage and enable women to meet their goals. They can take advantage of the mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, and Vocational counselor who are available to the women and the children. The women also begin a plan to reduce debt, pay off court fines, obtain necessary documents such as birth certificates and social security cards and engage in their child's school activities.
Who does Hilliard House Serve?
Hilliard House provides transitional shelter to women with children who are homeless, who can benefit from the program offered and who are willing to comply with the program structure of Hilliard House are welcomed. They come from Henrico County and the surrounding counties and are referred by Central Intake or from other shelter programs.
How is Hilliard House Funded?
Hilliard House receives funding from individual corporations, private foundations and youth based organizations. Government funding is provided through HUD, the state, and Henrico County.
How can we do more?
Bed pillows
Bleach, laundry detergent, cleaning items such as 409, Comet, Windex, Mr. Clean, etc.
