Although the words have changed, the essential mission of HumanKind has remained constant during our 110-year history: to strengthen individuals and families through care, counseling and education. We envision a compassionate society where the inherent value of every person is recognized, where families are healthy, and communities where everyone can prosper. Our values are service, integrity, teamwork, excellence, developing potential and diversity. Our commitment to our values is intended for every individual we encounter and this is how we live them out: - Service is humble, professional and compassionate - Integrity is demonstrated by dignity, ethics and respect - Teamwork is seen in positive attitudes, collaboration and shared responsibility - Excellence is measuring quality while striving for continuous improvement - Developing Potential is encouraging and fostering growth in effectiveness - Diversity is respected, encouraged and celebrated
HumanKind, formerly Presbyterian Homes & Family Services, has strengthened families and communities in many different capacities since 1903, changing our services to meet the needs of the communities we serve. Started as an orphanage by Presbyterians in Eastern Virginia, thousands of children grew up on our campus in Lynchburg due to difficult circumstances of their families. In the 1960’s, we dedicated resources to address the growing demand of young adults with intellectual disabilities. A training center was built in Zuni, Virginia to teach life and employment skills. Over time, Zuni adapted to changing needs and created long term supportive residences where today more than 40 adults live in community.
Starting in 2008, we developed a range of high quality community based services for children and families responding to significant political pressure in Virginia to dramatically reduce the number of children in residential care. We also joined our efforts with those of another 100-year-old agency serving Central Virginia, The Family Alliance. We created a continuum of services ranging from prevention, education and healthy lifestyles for children to long-term residential care for adults.
With care, counsel and education, we are building on a 100 years of faithful service to strengthen children, families and communities across our region.
