From an Old Friendship to Stewarding Boys Home
Drew McKone Takes the Helm: A New Chapter for Boys Home of Virginia
Drew McKone’s connection to Boys Home of Virginia started long before he ever visited the Hill.
Back in the late 1980s, Drew was a student at Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated alongside a classmate named John Williams. The two went on to serve together in the Marine Corps, and even as their paths diverged over the years, they stayed in touch.
About five years ago, John reached out to introduce Drew to Boys Home of Virginia. At the time, John was serving on the Board of Trustees and preparing to become its president.
Drew wasn’t ready to commit the time a board seat required. But he stayed close to the mission, and a couple of years later, he reconnected with John specifically about Boys Home. He joined the board, and this year, he’s starting his third year, now as Board President.
“It was visiting, meeting everyone on the Hill, meeting some of the [students], some of the staff, and really better understanding the mission of Boys Home,” Drew says.
What struck him most wasn’t just the impact on one young man’s life. It was the ripple effect. “You’re not just impacting this one boy’s life, you’re impacting generations to come,” he says.
A Steep Learning Curve, Taken On Willingly
Drew stepped into the role of Board President almost by circumstance. As Vice President, he was next in line, but the natural path shifted when the other vice president wasn’t able to take on the commitment at this point in his career. Drew stepped up.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to hold that title and to lead the board and to be a steward of the legacy of Boys Home of Virginia,” he says.
He describes the transition as “similar to drinking from a fire hose.” Even with two years of board experience behind him, the role of president comes with a different level of engagement and a different investment of time. But it’s one he’s embraced fully.
Honoring the Past Without Being Anchored to It
One of the themes Drew keeps returning to is a phrase that echoes something his predecessor, outgoing Board Chair Perry Williams, also emphasized: honoring the history of Boys Home while still evolving to meet the needs of today’s students.
“How do you honor the history and the memories that this generation has of Boys Home of Virginia without being anchored to it?” Drew asks. It’s a balance he expects to define his time as president, especially as the school continues shifting from a model where boys were placed by outside referrals to one where young men are actively choosing Boys Home for themselves.
That shift has been significant. Not long ago, nearly all students arrived through placement programs through the state. Today, young men are researching their options online, visiting the school’s website, and choosing Boys Home on its own merits. Drew has seen the evidence in something simple: photos of new students taking selfies on the Hill, smiling, excited to be there.
“It’s not about filling every bed. It’s about creating that culture, that reputation, that demand for that experience,” he says.
A Personal Connection to the Mission
Drew grew up in a stable, supportive family, something he doesn’t take for granted. His time at VMI, in the Marine Corps, and later working with Maryland’s Department of Human Services and its child welfare programs gave him a close look at how differently life can unfold for kids without that same foundation.
“These children deserve a healthy and supportive environment where they are free to explore their interests and reach their full potential,” Drew says. He often returns to a story about a boy throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean, one at a time, even knowing he can’t save them all. “I might not be able to help everybody, but the ones I can, it’ll mean the world to them,” he says. “And that’s what I see at Boys Home of Virginia.”
Looking Ahead
Boys Home is currently home to 45 students, with room to grow to a capacity of 60. For Drew, reaching that number, filled with young men who genuinely want to be there, is one of the clearest measures of success he’s working toward.
“Under Perry’s leadership and John Williams’ leadership, we went from low to mid-thirties to 45,” Drew says. He sees his own tenure as a continuation of that trajectory, not starting from scratch, but building on real momentum already in motion.
“If we’ve created a brand for Boys Home of Virginia where the majority of the boys who are there are there because they want to be there, then I feel like I’ve been the steward of the essence of Boys Home of Virginia that I was supposed to be,” Drew says.
He’s stepping into the role following two respected leaders, both of whom, in Drew’s words, “handed me something better than what they received.”
His goal is simple: to do the same for whoever comes next.
Curious about what a Boys Home education could look like for your son? Connect with us to learn more about our residential school in Covington, Virginia.