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Be Unstoppable

Stories

Be their champion.

UMFS is an unwavering champion for high-risk children and families. Since 1900, the organization has done whatever it takes to meet the changing needs of children and families. Now we're taking major steps to upgrade our 122-year old campus in Richmond. We've already completed the first phase, a new mental health treatment center for children and teens.

In September 2022, UMFS broke ground on an addition to its Charterhouse School, a specialized education program for students with emotional, developmental, and other disabilities. Help us reach the finish line in our campaign by supporting our school project today! Learn more about UMFS by visiting www.umfs.org and by reading a few of our stories below. Be sure to keep scrolling down to learn more about our campaign goals, track our progress, and to make your donation.

Youth Story

Manny

I was alone a lot before I was put in foster care. I did not have anyone there and had to do everything by myself…

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Staff Story

Sophia

I was put in foster care with my twin sister when we were seven. We bounced around for quite a while, but eventually got adopted.

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Student Story

Alex

When I was in first grade, my principal sent me to the “crisis room” for standing on a chair in class. Then, I got put in again for tearing up a piece of paper.

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Student Story

Paul

I have autism. Though my mind is strong, it is something that has made certain parts of my life a real challenge.

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Parent Story

Sarah

I am an adoptive parent, artist, UMFS board member and ardent advocate for families dealing with mental illness.

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Goals

Be the difference.

The UMFS Be A Champion Campaign is the first comprehensive renovation of the historic UMFS Richmond campus in over 60 years. With your help, we will provide better educational spaces and treatment resources to create bright futures for high-risk children and families statewide.

We need your help to finish the final phase of our campaign, an addition to the UMFS Charterhouse School. Your donation will help us equip classrooms with technology, furniture, and school supplies for our students to thrive.

Scroll through the phases below to get the full scoop, and be sure to scroll down to see how close we are to our goal! To keep up with the construction progress, sign-up for our newsletter at www.umfs.org/subscribe

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UMFS campus, 2017

Phase One

Phase Two

Phase Three

Scroll through below to see all of our phases. We're currently in the final phase, an addition to Charterhouse School.

In the pre-phase, UMFS partnered with Spy Rock Real Estate for a 99-year land lease. Spy Rock is building a mixed-use development at the front of the UMFS Richmond campus, along Broad Street. Funds received from this partnership will support a portion of our campaign goals.

During Phase 1, UMFS constructed a new residential treatment facility for the Child & Family Healing Center program. Youth now have a beautiful new treatment space thanks to your support.

In the final phase of the campaign, UMFS will build an addition to its Charterhouse School, including a new cafeteria, to provide better resources for students with educational challenges.

10

New classrooms for Charterhouse School students

1

New kitchen and cafeteria for the students of Charterhouse School

204

Students served by Charterhouse School programs in 2021

8710

Number of lives impacted by UMFS services in 2021

132

Number of communities in Virginia served by UMFS in Virginia in 2021

Progress

Become part of the movement.

Be an investor in healthy minds, families, and communities. Join us in reaching our $6.5 million fundraising goal which will help UMFS empower more families to succeed. We're almost there - give any amount today!

$6.3M

amount raised to date

Be A Champion Goal: $6.5M

$1,000

will help purchase smart boards for our classrooms

$500

will help purchase Chromebooks for our students

$100

will help purchase school supplies for a classroom

$25

will help purchase sensory and fidget toys for our students



Make a Donation

News

Be in the know.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Be a Champion Campaign news. We’ll feature major campaign milestones, donor profiles, and stories about children and families who are being empowered by your gifts to the campaign.

Oct 4, 2022

You Helped Us Break Ground!

We’re celebrating you for helping us break ground on an addition to our Charterhouse School! Your kindness is adding 10 new classrooms, a kitchen and cafeteria, and an improved bus loop. Thank you!

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Nov 5, 2021

Celebrating YOU for Making Phase 1 and 2 a Reality

THANK YOU to our donors who helped us complete the first phases of the Be a Champion Campaign! With your help, UMFS constructed a new residential treatment building for youth ages 11-17 who are healing from trauma. Thank you for being a champion for children’s mental health!

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Aug 24, 2021

“Have Hope and Have Patience” – Ethan’s Story

“Ethan stood humbly at the center of attention with a look of relief on his face and gratitude swelling in his heart. He leaned his back against the wall and glanced around the room, where no less than 20 family members, friends, and UMFS staff were standing by his side…” Read Ethan’s full story here.

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Mar 16, 2021

Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

UMFS is seeking corporate sponsors for the following opportunities: 1. Sponsor an art installation which will serve as the new UMFS campus entrance sign ($20,000) 2. Two Media Partners: Co-brand your business with UMFS on digital, radio and TV ads with VPM and NBC 12 ($20,000 each). Contact Katie Moore kmoore@umfs.org

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Feb 9, 2021

Construction is Underway

Construction has begun! We began site work on the new Child & Family Healing Center facility in August 2020. The photo below is from January 15, 2021. Look at how much progress has already been made! Thank you for helping us make this vision a reality. Your gifts will continue to help us create a beautiful, peaceful healing place for children. 

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Oct 13, 2020

Make a Gift to the Campaign in Honor of Greg’s Retirement

Join us in celebrating two unwavering champions whose Passion Unleashes Greatness! UMFS President & CEO Greg Peters, LCSW, will be retiring in April 2021 after an incredible 40 years of service. UMFS Chief Operating Officer Nancy Toscano, PhD, LCSW, has been named his successor.

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Aug 5, 2020

Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Challenge Completed

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation has issued a challenge to UMFS: raise $1,000,000 and the foundation will donate $500,000.

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Aug 5, 2020

Bill and Molly Lynch invest $500,000 in UMFS future

Longtime donors, Bill and Molly Lynch had already made one major contribution to the UMFS Be a Champion Campaign in 2018. Now another special gift to preserve the future of UMFS.

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Feb 5, 2018

Jane and Brandon Linton are wise beyond their years.

The Virginia Tech graduates still possess a youthfulness that would make them right at home on campus, but their faithful

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Feb 5, 2018

Lois A. Kirkwood Jumpstarts Campaign with $1,000,000

The Estate of Lois A. Kirkwood provided a major boost to the Be a Champion Campaign with a $1,000,000 lead gift in 2017

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Jan 23, 2018

Foster Care Story

Meet Alex. Alex has been in foster care for three years. He recently participated in the Project LIFE Fall 2017 Statewide Conference and was…

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