Jack Gordon Cottage: A Stepping Stone to Independence
Learning Through Doing: Developing Practical Life Skills
At Boys Home of Virginia, seniors approaching graduation aren’t simply finishing their education— they’re stepping onto a bridge carefully constructed to carry them from residential campus life to adult independence.
This transition doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the culmination of years spent in an intentional environment where daily routines and community living cultivate responsibility and character building.
Support During the Critical Years
When a student approaches his final year at Boys Home, he gains access to specialized support through the ELP/Alumni Advisor. This dedicated staff member works closely with upperclassmen to create individualized post-graduation plans tailored to their goals and strengths.
“They get a special advisor who will help them with different career and educational assessments,” Asianna explains. “Specifically for seniors, it tries to help them pinpoint what their skill sets are and what they might lean towards.”
This advisor provides crucial guidance for students pursuing various paths after graduation, including:
- Coordinating college tours for those pursuing higher education
- Helping students prepare for the ASVAB test for military careers
- Navigating FAFSA, financial aid, and scholarship applications
- Connecting students with training programs aligned with their interests
The impact of this support is evident in students’ achievements, including one recent graduate who secured nearly full scholarship funding for college through these resources.
Jack Gordon Cottage: A Stepping Stone to Independence
A key component of this transition is Jack Gordon Cottage, a special residence that serves as a bridge between full residential support and independent living. This living arrangement allows upperclassmen to practice greater self-management while still having staff support nearby.
It’s that balance between being on your own, but still having some supervision.
In Jack Gordon Cottage, students take on additional responsibilities for their daily lives. This helps prepare them for the realities of managing their households — and lives — after graduation.
Moving to Jack Gordon Cottage is a privilege that students work toward. “He’s really worked hard for like, a year plus to say, ‘I’m getting my independence. I’m working really hard in school. I’m doing well in sports, really trying to become a well-rounded student,'” Asianna shares about one student who recently achieved this milestone.
Residence in Jack Gordon Cottage is determined by considering academic performance, leadership demonstrated on campus, and how students interact with their housemates. Students are even expected to participate in service team meetings where they explain their progress, answer questions, and present themselves professionally, much like a job interview.
Learning Through Doing: Developing Practical Life Skills
Boys Home’s approach to graduation preparation includes intentional training in essential life skills.
“During the academic year, our fifth block has really served as a space for things like financial literacy,” Asianna explains. This dedicated time also addresses social and emotional development.
Students begin learning practical skills like cooking and laundry in their lower cottages. As they advance to Jack Gordon Cottage, this training becomes more personalized based on individual needs. Some students develop significant cooking skills, while others might focus on different areas of independent living.
“We’ve had a donor in the past really emphasize making sure they have proper pots and pans, an iron and ironing board,” Asianna notes, highlighting how the program ensures graduates have the physical tools they need for independent living, along with the skills to use them.
A Safety Net Beyond Graduation
One of the most distinctive aspects of Boys Home’s approach is the ongoing support provided after graduation through the Alumni Cottage. Graduates can live here until age 21 while working or attending school.
Laura explained, “It’s a really nice safety net because for many of our young men, going back home just might not be the best next step after graduation. Sometimes they’ll leave for six months, then return to reset. We’re like that family that welcomes them back when they need to regroup.”
Celebrating Achievements and Welcoming New Alumni
The path to graduation includes several meaningful traditions that honor students’ achievements and prepare them for their next chapter:
Senior Trip: A time for soon-to-be graduates to relax and build lasting memories with peers
Senior Challenge: A character-building experience that is kept “top secret” from younger students
Professional Photos: Capturing this milestone achievement for graduates and their families
Alumni Dinner: A special event where graduates receive a class ring, lapel pin, and polo shirt, symbolizing their lifelong connection to Boys Home
As alumnus Israel Pattison wrote in his blog “From Headwaters to Horizons,” reflecting on his return to campus: “Home is not a place left behind. It is a gift carried onward.”
Diverse Paths to Success
Boys Home’s graduation preparation acknowledges that success takes many forms. The Student Success program at Boys Home supports various post-graduation paths.
Some graduates continue their education at colleges or technical schools. Others enter the workforce directly, particularly those who have developed valuable skills through the trades program. Some choose military service, applying the discipline and structure they’ve internalized during their time at Boys Home.
The Foundation for Lifelong Success
The spiritual component of Boys Home’s program also prepares students for life beyond graduation. While founded as an Episcopal organization, students attend various denominations throughout the area. The chapel door bears the phrase “Exit to Serve,” emphasizing that spiritual development should lead to giving back to the larger community.
Character development happens through daily interactions, structured programs, and community living.
This comprehensive preparation equips young men with the tools needed for successful, independent adult lives. For many, the road to graduation at Boys Home becomes the path to a brighter future. Contact us today to learn more about how Boys Home of Virginia prepares young men for graduation and beyond.