50 Years of Resiliency

A Story of Resilience

On September 12, 1970, the first young man arrived at Elk Hill, a 300-acre farm located in Goochland County, to begin a transformative journey of healing. On that day—exactly fifty years ago --Elk Hill was founded as a haven for troubled boys living in Richmond.

Today Elk Hill is still that haven for more than 900 boys and girls throughout the Central Virginia region. Over the decades, we have grown beyond one location in Goochland, to three additional group homes (located in Chesterfield, Charlottesville and Fluvanna), specialized day schools, in-school services and in-home clinical services that span the Commonwealth. Fifty years is truly a remarkable milestone. Our journey has been filled with twists and turns as the needs of children, families and communities have shifted, presenting complex challenges and opportunities for growth along the way.  

Our leadership, volunteers and staff relied on courage and resiliency to face system gaps that were preventing our children and families from achieving their full potential. Taking bold action, tirelessly advocating, collaborating with others, and relentlessly evolving to meet the needs of the children, families and communities we serve was, and is, the journey we boldly pursue.  ‍

In 1995, 25 years after the first boy arrived on our campus, The Harambee School at Elk Hill opened its doors to boys and girls in the Richmond area community. The school provided a unique and specialized educational program for students who struggled to find success at their local public schools. This began Elk Hill’s relentless pursuit to develop a unique continuum of programs that are child-centered and create lasting, positive outcomes for young men and women.  ‍

‍Closing gaps and advocating for children and families are the backbone of Elk Hill’s mission. We are committed to be a community solution provider, and in 2006 we launched our first community-based program, meeting youth and their families where they are: in their schools and homes.  

Today is no different. As we boldly approach the next 50 years, we are continuing to be resilient, even in the face of a global pandemic. Just this year, Elk Hill has touched the lives of nearly 900 youth and their families across the state of Virginia! Later this year, we are embarking on a strategic project of engaging and listening to our youth, families, staff, leadership, supporters and communities to ensure we remain a relevant organization for children and families now and for the next 50 years. Elk Hill’s future belongs to them, and our staff, educators and clinicians are committed to sharing in their journey of growth.  

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