News

  • By Laura Robertson
  • Posted:
  • Alumni, News

Boys Home Welcomes Alumnus Derrick Cash

   

Boys Home was excited to welcome alumnus Derrick Cash back to campus. He offered an incredible testimony of redemption to current students and staff. In the early 2000s, Derrick enrolled and then departed from the Boys Home program three times. Although he was unable to succeed while at Boys Home, a seed was planted. After several years of difficulties, he reached a turning point and committed his life to Christ. During his testimony, Derrick stated, “I am not a speaker, pastor or a counselor. I am you. I sat in that very same seat. Be open to the Boys Home program. Everyone is here to help you. You can choose the harder path or listen to what I’m saying now. The choice is yours. Put your faith first. Christ will take you where you are now. He is not asking for a cleaned-up version.”    

Derrick’s visit was prompted by a social media post by Donnie Costigan, Boys Home’s director of athletics and recreation who was requesting new bikes for the current students. After seeing the post, Derrick sprung into action. He stated, “My philosophy is go big or go home.” He raised $10,000 and purchased bikes, hygiene products, athletic equipment, school supplies, tools, an Amazon Fire TV, laptops and more for Boys Home. He received support from his wife Heather, children Bryson and Josie, Terry Martin from the Buena Vista Sheriff’s Office, the Rockbridge community and residents in Rockingham County! Derrick said, “All of the items in the gym are waiting for you. Enjoy! What happened is a gift from God. I am merely the vessel. God can, God does and God will.”

Derrick currently lives in Broadway, Virginia. He is married to Heather Cash and has three children. Boys Home is grateful for Derrick sharing his story and for the generous donations. The vision at Boys Home is simple: create a community that inspires young men to positively impact those around them. Derrick Cash has a wonderful testimony that embodies the Boys Home vision.  

  • By Laura Robertson
  • Posted:
  • News

Boys Home of Virginia is grateful to Greenbrier Physicians, Inc. in Ronceverte, West Virginia. They are a 2022 silver sponsor for the 6th Annual Boys Home Harvest Hustle 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon. Boys Home will host this event on Saturday, November 5th at the Jackson River Trail – Intervale Trailhead. Please visit www.runforboyshome.org to register or for more information.

Pictured left to right: Melinda Nichols, development assistant for data and special events at Boys Home and Lauren Hanna, marketing and outreach director for Greenbrier Physicians, Inc.

  • By Laura Robertson
  • Posted:
  • News

Boys Home Receives Lifetime Grant from Leveling the Playing Field

Boys Home of Virginia has received a lifetime equipment grant from Leveling the Playing Field, an athletics nonprofit organization based in Silver Springs, Maryland. Because most grants are awarded on a one-time basis, an award of this magnitude came as a welcomed surprise. Athletics and Recreation Director Donnie Costigan states, “Their generosity gives the underprivileged young men at Boys Home of Virginia the hope for expanded athletic involvement. Leveling the Playing Field is truly a blessing to a ministry like Boys Home of Virginia, and we are forever grateful.” Since being notified of the grant approval, students and staff from Boys Home have already made their first trip to Level the Playing Field’s Silver Springs warehouse for an equipment pickup. Basketballs, Frisbees, soccer cleats and water bottles were some of the items included. Leveling the Playing Field has served several organizations within the northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland areas, but has also made connections in the Roanoke Valley. The organization also has hopes to expand into the Central Virginia area in the future.

(Attached photo L-R: Donnie Costigan, Athletic and Recreation Director of Boys Home; Akon Deng, student; Daniel Griffin, Program Director of LPF Greater Washington; Jareem Reid, student; Chris Silvas, student)