News

Kelley Calhoun Receives Recognition for 15 Years at Boys Home

Kelley Calhoun recently celebrated ten years of employment at Boys Home of Virginia. Associate Director Chad Whitmer and Boys Home School Principal Teresa Johnson presented her with a certificate in the dining hall to a standing ovation of students and staff.

Kelley has a bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater College in Psychology and Early Elementary Education. She also holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Education from Hudson Valley Community College and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from the Junior College of Albany.

Kelley has held numerous teaching positions since coming to Boys Home. Currently, she teaches math to middle school residents. Knowing that math is a difficult subject for some, Kelley says, “Maybe my students won’t love math, but they’re going to understand it.” She goes on to explain that she was once frustrated by math, but once she started teaching it, “I realized that it was all logic.” That realization has impacted the way she teaches in her classroom.

Of working with the students at Boys Home, Kelley says that, “When you work with boys, you have to be persistent. The more persistent you are, the greater the blessings. At Boys Home, we pray that the seeds we plant will eventually start to grow and we pray that God will bless what we do and will work in the boys’ lives.”

Kelley’s husband, Dennis, is also an employee at Boys Home and Kelley is mother to teens C.J. and Chloe.

Linda Gordon Joins Staff at Boys Home

Linda Gordon has joined the staff of Boys Home of Virginia. A native of the Callaghan area, Ms. Gordon will serve as a houseparent. With a professional background in nursing and personal experience as a mother and grandmother, Ms. Gordon offers a compassionate and competent array of expertise. The Boys Home community welcomes Ms. Gordon to the staff.

Cindy Andrews Recognized for 15 Years of Service at Boys Home

Cindy Andrews recently received recognition for fifteen years of service at Boys Home of Virginia. Although she worked for four years from 1982 to 1987, the 15-year recognition reflects consecutive years that she has been an employee. In her time at Boys Home, she has worked in the Development department and with Program initiatives. She is currently the receptionist.

When queried about why she likes working at Boys Home, Cindy replies, “I like people and I enjoy the students. I like being on the campus and working with the other employees.”

Cindy’s friendly voice is the first thing people hear when they call Boys Home and she is the first person they see as they enter the administration building. First impressions mean a lot and the staff and Boys Home community are happy to have Cindy as part of the team.

Dennis Calhoun Receives Fifteen Year Recognition

Congratulations to Case Manager Dennis Calhoun of Boys Home of Virginia. Dennis was recently awarded a certificate for 15 years of service to Boys Home.

Originally from Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Dennis graduated from Appalachian Bible College in Beckley, West Virginia. Dennis also holds a M. A. in Religion from Liberty University.

As a father of a son who is 14 and a daughter who is 13, Mr. Calhoun is literally surrounded by teens most of the time. He enjoys fishing and going on trips with Boys Home students. Currently, he teaches a Bible survey class on campus. He says the class gives him “an opportunity to teach something I enjoy to kids whose volume of knowledge is very limited in that subject. A lot of what they are getting is very fresh to them.” This gives him the opportunity to introduce new ideas and concepts to the students, which he finds very gratifying.

Mr. Calhoun especially enjoys working with youth ages 14-16. One of the challenges of working with that age group is their tendency to look for short-term rewards rather than embracing longer-term goals. Those who comply with Boys Home expectations gain opportunities to go on special trips and participate in more activities. Mr. Calhoun recalls trips to the Pentagon and to Florida as experiences he has shared with residents that were especially enjoyable. As a case manager, he also notices if there are residents who seem less involved and makes an effort to spend time with them through recreational activities or working alongside them in community service projects.

Thanks to Mr. Calhoun for his dedication to the students at Boys Home of Virginia.