25 Years, 25 stories

Want to know what you’ve made possible over the last 25 years? There are as many stories as there have been people associated with Rush Homes. From our founders to our donors, to our tenant families, everyone has left their mark and our community is all the better for that. Here are just 25 examples of what your support has made possible. (In the interest of privacy, some names have been changed.)

1)     Jimmy! Our very first home on Berkshire Place is where Jimmy Rush has been living for 25 years now. Rush Homes is the legacy of Jimmy’s mother, Mabel Rush, who just wanted a home for her son where he could thrive. We are grateful for her love for her son, and her hard work which has meant so much to so many.

 2)     Sandy! As a child, Sandy and her sister were sent to live in an orphanage where they remained for a number of years. Upon returning home, Sandy became the caregiver for her family and began pursuing a career in nursing. Just after receiving word that she’d been awarded a scholarship, Sandy was hurt while working with a patient and became a wheelchair user. Although unable to pursue her studies, Sandy’s care-taking nature left an impression on many, including the Rush Homes family.

 3)     Rachel! After a career at the Central Virginia Training Center that spanned more than four decades, Rachel came to Rush Homes needing an accessible apartment as she was a wheelchair user. What we remember most vividly about her was the sight of her leaping from her chair on one leg to hug the property manager upon learning she was getting a Rush Home.

 4)     James! A graduate of St. Paul College, James came to Rush Homes after having lived in a boarding house for a period of time. Learning to live with the loss of his eyesight, among other things, our Residential Support Coordinator helped him connect with the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to receive books on tape. James said while listening to those books he knew he was sitting on his sofa, but in his mind he was having adventures all over the world!

 5)     William! William dove in a pool at his high-school graduation party and from that point forward has been a quadriplegic. His very supportive family has been ever-present, but every young man yearns for independence. For 24 years he hadn’t felt the running water of a shower because he couldn’t get into the bathroom. When William saw his Rush Home for the first time he said “I can take a shower…God, I can take a shower.”

 6)     Liz! Liz, a very petite woman and animal lover, moved to her Rush Homes from a home which had steps to the front door and back door. Our property manager asked Liz, a wheelchair user, if she’d ever thought about how she’d get out of her home in case of an emergency. Liz had thought about that. Her plan was to get her pets out first, and then she planned to throw herself down the back stairs because there were fewer of them than in the front. From that point forward, that decision was no longer necessary for Liz.

 7)     Shirley! A colorful character, Shirley was so happy for her Rush Home that she wrote monthly letters she sent with her rent about how blessed she was.

 8)     Carolyn! A veteran, Carolyn has been able to live independently while receiving cancer treatment.

9)     Edward! Not only did Edward introduce us to the manager of his bank hoping the bank would support us financially, but Edward showed up with a plastic bag of change he’d been saving to make a gift to Rush Homes. Edward isn’t the only tenant who has so generously shared with us in that way.

 10)   Beth! A graduate of Lynchburg College and a social worker, Beth sustained a traumatic brain injury in an automobile accident. She had a very hard time finding a landlord who would accept her housing choice voucher. Rush Homes gladly accepts vouchers and gave Beth and her children a quality, affordable place to call home.

11)  Jack! Jack is now in a stable home, able to prioritize his addiction recovery and rebuild relationships with family.

 12)  Eleanor! Now that more of her own needs are met, Eleanor is able to devote more time and energy into giving and helping others. She even shares coupons with office staff.

 13)  Edna! Edna has a green thumb and knack for decorating. When she isn’t at work, she loves to beautify public areas with plants and seasonal décor.

 14)  Sally! Sally was an adult student at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College when a stroke made it impossible for her to finish her degree. Even so, she was never without a smile and a happy greeting. Although she’s moved out of state to be near family, we still remember how she’d use nicknames for us because the stroke affected her memory. But how’d she remember our nicknames?!?

15)  Stephen! To know Stephen is to love Stephen. And many of you know Stephen because of the many years he worked at Office Max. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Stephen makes friends everywhere he goes and has served on state-wide committees serving the interests of people with disabilities.

16)  London! London speaks of having been a child of privilege but without enough supervision which led to a tragic accident leaving him with brain damage. He loves living in his Rush Home, church, and speaking with young people about making good choices.

 17)  The Smith Family! A family of 6, several of whom live with disabilities, the Smiths were making the difficult decision to be divided in order for everyone to have a place to live. They found Rush Homes at the exact time we had a vacancy that would allow the family to remain together.

 18)  Arnett! A retired police officer from Washington, DC, Arnett is a care-taker by nature. When a neighbor who has only the use of one arm takes his trash to the dumpster, Arnett lifts the bag up into the dumpster. That’s just one of the many things he does for his neighbors that make us all grateful for him.

 19)  Addie! Addie’s mother was part of the group that worked with Mabel Rush to make Rush Homes a reality. As a child, Addie had a high fever which caused developmental delays. As an adult, Addie is able to live independently, surrounded by the support she needs, in her Rush Home.

 20)  Suzanne! When everyone suggested to Suzanne’s mother that she place her daughter in an institution, the thought was just too much. Suzanne’s mother wanted so much for her daughter and was so happy for her to live in her Rush Home with aides to provide the 24-hour supervision and assistance Suzanne needs. Suzanne was one of Rush Homes’ first residents!

 21)  The Simpson Family! Mr. Simpson has worked very hard to provide for his family, which includes two sons with developmental disabilities. As he is getting older, he has been thinking about what will happen to his sons when he “closes his eyes in sleep for the last time.” Our Residential Support Coordinator has been a great comfort and resource to him as he works to make the best arrangements possible for his sons. Mr. Simpson and his sons made a significant pledge to Rush Homes so that others could benefit as have they. They completed that pledge in memory of their wife and mother not too long ago, and continue to donate!

 22)  Katherine! She and her husband went for a ride on the parkway one weekend. What should have been a beautiful day ended in tragedy when the brakes on their car failed and they crashed. Katherine’s husband was killed, and she was left a paraplegic. She certainly has her share of challenges, but a brown thumb isn’t one of them. She enjoys gardening and with the help of her daughter has the brightest and most beautiful flowers growing all around her front door.

 23)  David & Vicky! David & Vicky lived in the Virginian before coming to Victoria Ridge. The building was infested with pests and Vicky, a wheelchair user, couldn’t rely on the elevator to be in working order and was often stuck on the 4th floor for days at a time. They were thrilled to move to Victoria Ridge, and have been some of the best volunteers Rush Homes has known. No matter what the need, they were ready to help – unless they were already scheduled to be at the food bank, or Parkview Mission, or church. Vicky has recently passed away, a loss we’re all grieving. We’re glad to be here for David now and always.

 24)  Austin! It’s good for us to remember we don’t have all of the answers for our tenant families, and Austin has reminded us of that. Austin is living in a Rush Home after being homeless for more than two decades. Everyone involved is thrilled that this opportunity arose for him, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. We are committed to working with Austin and his support system to help him be successful and stable in his housing. We’re all making strides. And Austin is delightful!

 25)  Ray! Last but certainly not least, Ray was a college student when a drunk driver caused an accident which left Ray in a wheelchair. His dreams of heading to the NBA dashed in the blink of an eye, Ray was forced to reset his goals and is living his best life in his Rush Home surrounded by his “family” which consists of snakes, bearded dragons, his dog, Leo, and other things you might not want to stumble upon unaware… Ray is one of our most vocal supporters and we love Ray as much as he loves us.

That’s what it’s all about.