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)

Boys Home of Virginia Plants Seeds for a Lifetime

Boys Home of Virginia Plants Seeds for a Lifetime – SoulVision Magazine

Boys Home Welcomes New Director of Athletics and Recreation

Boys Home of Virginia is excited to announce Donnie Costigan as the director of athletics and recreation. Donnie is a Boys Home alumnus, arriving on “The Hill” at age nine. After graduating from Alleghany High School in 1995, he attended Bluefield University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

While at Boys Home, Donnie was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. He claims, “Sports had a positive influence during my time at Boys Home. They kept me out of trouble. In addition, sports taught me the valuable life lesson of winning and losing on and off the court.” While playing basketball at Boys Home, he earned the record of 2^nd all-time leading scorer with 1,687 points. Donnie was able to continue his basketball career through college, playing at the Division II level.

His career path brought him back to Boys Home in 2003. After his return, Donnie held the positions of houseparent, intake and evaluation manager, campus life coordinator and team leader. He always felt called to give more to the current students, specifically through his passion for sports. Some initial goals in his new role are to expand the variety of sports offered, move Boys Home into an independent sports league and offer junior varsity programs. There will also be a focus on providing an opportunity for every student interested in sports to be able to play in some fashion.

Boys Home is thrilled to have a positive leader and alumnus assume this important position. Donnie lives the Boys Home vision of creating a community that inspires young men to positively impact those around them.

Boys Home Honors All Staff with Appreciation Luncheon

On May 18, Boys Home celebrated its staff with a special luncheon. The event took place in the Ben Parrott Dining Hall on campus where both students and employees enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by the dining hall staff. The Boys Home community is composed of a mission-driven staff with individuals serving in different roles, but united in the mission and vision so as to best serve the students. 

The dining hall itself is a hub of activity at Boys Home. The dedicated kitchen staff serves three meals a day, 365 days a year. It’s a place where students and staff can pause during their day and gather as a “family” to share a meal. In addition, it represents a space where students can develop socially and spiritually. Each meal begins with a prayer and scripture reading. Additionally, there is dining hall etiquette that must be followed by students and staff. For example, if a woman approaches the table and prepares to sit down, all males must stand. Staff and students sit together and engage in conversation, providing an opportunity for relationships to develop.

The staff appreciation luncheon was enjoyed by all who attended this annual spring event. 

Springtime Brings New Bike Racks to Boys Home

Boys Home is grateful for the donation of eleven bike racks from the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce. Matt Fischer, an employee of Alleghany Outdoors, made the connection for Boys Home to receive the racks. Recently, he became a volunteer at Boys Home with a specific focus on improving the bike program. Matt sympathizes with many of the current students and is excited to become involved. Whenever he needed an escape as a child, he would jump on his bike and ride. This activity left him with a sense of freedom, peace and an interest in exploring nature. For Matt, riding his bike led to his love for the outdoors. Now that it is springtime, it is a perfect time for the students to enjoy the outdoors and biking. Boys Home is thankful for Matt’s dedication to this mission and for helping the current students stay physically active.