When a Virginia Beach based foundation funds a Norfolk non-profit to improve a house for a disabled man in Portsmouth, that’s regionalism. And a great story.
Beth Sholom Village took the earnings from selling its skilled care nursing home and assisted living facility in College Park in 2023 and rather than build somewhere else, put the money in the bank, choosing to give the interest income away to organizations working to improve life for seniors in the community.
And even though Beth Sholom has Jewish roots, “we wanted to help providers, regardless of their particular affiliation,” says Fay Silverman, BSV board chair and a mortgage banker. That’s exactly what BSV is doing. “In year one, we were able to give $837,000 to two dozen groups including Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, which is using the proceeds to benefit seniors, veterans, and persons with mobility issues.”
“Habitat is an ideal partner for us,” says Lauren Krajesky, Beth Sholom Village’s executive director who oversees the marketing of the fund and distribution of revenue.
This day several Habitat employees plus volunteers from BSV were on a “job site” in Portsmouth off Effingham Street, installing a storm door and a 36-foot ramp to improve the homeowner’s ability to safely enter and exit his home using his wheelchair.
“There will be money remaining from the $10,000 grant,” says Marshall Vernon, who heads up Habitat SHR’s Critical Home Repair Program. “So we’ll be able to use what’s left for other projects.” And Habitat SHR is doing a lot of them. “We’ve now installed nearly a thousand feet of ramps in the area,” says Vernon. “And this is the 350th Critical Home Repair we’ve completed since 2021.” To qualify, applicants must own their home and have insurance. Information is at https://shrhabitat.org/services/home-repair/.
“We couldn’t be happier to assist,” says Silverman, who notes that such groups as Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, Virginia Opera, Peninsula Agency on Agency, Prime Plus, and Meals on Wheels were also recipients of Year One donations. “Depending on how well our investments do, we may have a million dollars or more to distribute next year and going forward.” And Habitat and the other current beneficiaries, including local synagogues, Jewish Family Service, and Simon Family Jewish Community Center, can reapply next year. Information is on the Beth Sholom Village website.
As for Habitat SHR, it can use everyone’s financial support as well as volunteer time, skills, and energy. “We have ample team-building opportunities on new home build sites, as well as on projects like accessibility ramp installations,” says Megan Savali, Habitat SHR’s executive director. “Organizations like Habitat SHR and Beth Sholom Village cannot operate in silos. We have to work together and support one another to meet the needs of our community.”
Beth Sholom Village volunteers roll up their sleeves to construct a ramp for a disabled Portsmouth manNew BSV Fund paid for the aluminum ramp
