Kira had experienced a lifetime’s worth of trauma in her 16 years

Kira had experienced a lifetime’s worth of trauma in her 16 years. So many people she once trusted had betrayed or abandoned her.

Spring Garden, she thought, would be just one more disappointment.

Kira vividly remembers the day she arrived in April 2020. The old brick house looked creepy. She knew she wouldn’t like the staff.

But then, she found a warm welcome she never expected. As she settled into her room, the other girls came in to talk and share their stories. The Spring Garden staff, too, embraced her.

When Kira cried, they comforted her and simply listened. When Kira’s anger overcame her and she screamed in fury, they told her to write her feelings down and take a deep breath. To her surprise, it worked.

When Kira doubted herself, or struggled with Spring Garden’s rules, they reassured her. “You can do this,” they said. “Stay strong, because this is just a bump in the road.”

Slowly, Kira learned that she could overcome her challenges.

And thanks to donors like you, her life began to change.

Despite pandemic restrictions, she found fun and sisterhood at Spring Garden. The girls organized talent shows and cookouts. They hiked in the Virginia mountains. Kira found special joy in volunteer work at The White Pig, an animal sanctuary in Schuyler. “My favorite pig was this pig named Ernie, and he only had three legs,” she says. He was hurt once, but “he does really well.”

Kira earns As and Bs in her classes at Fluvanna County High School. With the help of Elk Hill staff, she got her learner’s permit. She’s thriving in her first job at Arby’s: “We all get along,” she says of her coworkers. “If someone needs help, we always are right there to help.”

Now, she’s close to reaching level 5, a status reserved for Spring Garden girls who have become role models for the rest of the house. Kira plans to go into medicine as a pediatric or geriatric nurse.  Her wings have grown strong; she’s ready to fly.

I wanted to share her story with you so you can see how Elk Hill gives hope to youth and families — especially in a year that, at times, has felt hopeless. All of us have experienced feelings of frustration and disappointment. I hope that you, like Kira, have been uplifted by people who care about you.

That’s what Elk Hill has done for 50 years. With the generosity of our donors, the strength of our staff, the expertise of our teachers and the empathy of our counselors, we help children and families transform overwhelming challenges into successful futures. It’s miraculous work. And I invite you to be a part of it.

Will you help us continue this good work by making a tax-deductible gift today?

Your gift means so much to young people like Kira, and to all of us at Elk Hill. Together, we’ll persevere, and we’ll build a brighter future

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With warm regards,

Ronald K. Spears

Chief Executive Officer