Dedicated to expanding the choices and enriching the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.
Dedicated to expanding the choices and enriching the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.
Hearts & Homes is a 501 c 3 charitable organization dedicated to addressing the severe housing shortage for adults with developmental disabilities in Virginia Beach. Originally founded in 1993 under the name BizNet, Inc., our governing Board of Directors are drawn from the local community, from its business leaders and service professionals, and from families with members who are developmentally disabled. We are united by our belief in the value of every individual, and our passion for a community that is wholehearted in its inclusiveness. We support the movement away from remote institutional warehousing facilities. We also understand the broad range of needs and abilities among persons with developmental disabilities. This requires a diverse approach to community housing and assistance and includes all kinds of choices, as we strive to best serve our residents and their families.
BizNet, Inc. dba Hearts & Homes is dedicated to expanding the choices and enriching the lives of adults with developmental disabilities and their families by providing homes in which our residents can receive the essential services they need. A supportive home environment helps these valuable members of our community lead full lives thereby achieving their greatest potentials.
Our needs are great, as the housing for adults with developmental disabilities is often limited. With medical and educational advancements, more children with developmental disabilities become capable adults. Though varying levels of support and care may be required, adults with developmental disabilities live their best lives as an integral part of an active, vibrant community.
Our organization purchases and maintains a variety of residences to meet the diverse needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Hearts & Homes currently owns 10 homes serving 27 individuals. These homes range from condominiums, with space for two adults who live, work and socialize within the community with some support services, to intermediate care homes for medically fragile individuals who need round the clock care.
Hearts & Homes is also proud to have partnered with the non-profit Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC) in the establishment of BizNet Village, an intermediate care residence divided into two buildings - Jenny's Place and Terry's Place. Although BizNet Village is owned by the VBCDC and operated by the City of Virginia Beach, Hearts & Homes funds various social activities and quality-of-life enhancing equipment for the benefit of BizNet Village's 24 residents.
Tom Laidlaw, President
Chris Davis, MS, Vice President
William (Bill) R. Crosby, Jr., Treasurer
Rebecca (Becky) Wentworth, Secretary
Bette Nelson, MPA, Executive Director
David Beckner
Janet Earnest
Earl Harper
Shirley Harper
Karen Honore
Jack Lapke
Jay Lazier, Ph.D., Past President
John Bryant Richardson
Janis Thomas
Susan Vertullo
Gary Bartel
Betty Lake
Frances DeJute Rayburn
Philip L. Russo, Jr., P.C.
Karen Waller
There is a great deal of work still to be done. Currently, there are over 400 Virginia Beach adult residents with developmental disabilities on a waiting list for funding for residential services and support. Of these, over 100 meet urgent status criteria because they no longer have a desirable place to live. This often occurs when parents become too elderly to care for their children.
Even in the best of times, organizations like Hearts & Homes must supplement whatever funds may be available from governmental agencies. With the current rise in labor costs and maintenance materials, we need your help now more than ever.
Contributions from businesses, churches, foundations, individuals, organizations and schools make it possible to help provide the housing and daily community living opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Hearts & Homes. Your financial support will help improve the lives of adults with developmental disabilities in Virginia Beach while providing peace of mind to their families.
Mailing Address: PO Box 61657 Virginia Beach, VA 23466-1657
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.