Our Program
A safe place to land during times of uncertainty.
Since 1949, The Evans Home has welcomed over 500 residents coming from a variety of circumstances, providing an environment of love, respect, and self-reliance that they can carry forward into the future.
We meet kids where they are. Every child is unique, so their path towards success should be too.
With our individualized approach and focus on maintaining a loving and safe community, each child is valued as a unique person, not just a number.
What We Do For Kids: Connection, Learning & Growth
Evan’s home is committed to providing a loving, nurturing home for children who are experiencing disruptions in their daily lives. We aim to be a safe place to land during times of uncertainty and a resource to families who need a little extra support.
At The Evans Home, children and teens live in a caring, supportive community that emphasizes connection, learning, and growth. Here, our residents are encouraged to be part of the community by attending public schools, participating in extra-curricular activities, and even participating in summer camps.
Our staff is here at all times to support our residents in developing crucial life skills and confidence.
“I was a scared teenage girl with nowhere to go.”
“I remember sitting in the social services office for five hours, not knowing where my next meal would come from or where I would sleep that night.
“But then...The Evans Home opened their doors. They...gave me something I hadn't felt in a long time - safety...They helped me overcome trauma. They taught me life skills my own mother never had the chance to teach me - things like respect, love, and how to communicate without anger, For the first time in my life, my feelings and thoughts mattered.”
Life at The Evans Home
We find that a consistent routine is useful in creating a stable and trusting environment. Although we emphasize academics and skill development, we know that having time to relax and have fun is just as important to maintaining a happy, balanced life.
During the week, our residents’ schedules provide a predictable rhythm balanced with community life.
Weekends & Holidays at The Evans Home
During weekends, breaks, and days without school, there is a lot more flexibility and opportunities for enrichment. Some children go on home visits with family, as appropriate to the family.
We regularly have staff-led day trips to interesting places around Winchester, and many students choose to go to summer or specialty camps during the school break.
Our residents enjoy planned activities like
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Community cultural events
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Summer camps
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Summer vacation day-trips
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Swimming excursions at local pools or lakes
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Team and pick-up sports
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Volunteering opportunities
Although we encourage residents to enjoy their free time and manage their own time and activities, expectations and responsibilities are clear and routines are predictable.
The goal is to let residents have control of their lives within a structured, but not strictly regimented, environment. This atmosphere allows children to develop the life skills, responsibility, and sense of belonging that they can apply to all areas of their lives.
One of the greatest strengths of our program is the daily routine we provide. From consistent wake-up times to supportive morning check-ins and a clear emphasis on education, our team works to help every young person understand that their primary role is to be a student.
Our Home in Winchester, VA
The Evans Home is a one-story brick ranch-style home in a quiet residential neighborhood. We make good use of the space and enjoy hosting everything from Easter egg hunts to summer night games of flashlight tag!
Education & Academic Resources
Our residents get involved in the local public school system. We work with schools to provide all the support that students need to feel confident in their studies and daily life.
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Individualized academic planning with teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors
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Special or alternative education program coordination
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Professional tutoring
Activities & Community Involvement
The Evans Home works with local community leaders and offers access to many helpful resources.
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Public educational programs
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Mental health support
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Community parks and recreational facilities
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Churches and religious institutions
“She didn’t feel like she had to conform”
“Lori...moved to The Evans Home in 2001 when she was about 15 years old. The experience gave her a space where she didn’t feel like she had to conform, unlike the foster homes where she previously lived.
“She fondly remembers the house mother at The Evans Home tucking her in at night, something she had never experienced growing up...[T]he Evans Home came into her life at a time when she was very traumatized and it gave her time to heal.”
Growing Up With The Evans Home
Our commitment to our residents in moving confidently into adulthood extends beyond the time they spend at The Evans Home. We want to see our residents find happiness and success, whatever that may look like for them, and are proud to support them along their way.
Independent Living
The Evans Home values learning how to live independently and provide ample support to our older residents who are preparing to transition into adulthood.
All kids in the program work with the Program Director or a Case Manager to establish goals and work towards them. We teach age appropriate independence skills to all kids living here, with a focus on independent living for our older teens.
Our Program Director and Houseparents help residents
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Bring in outside speakers to help with various independent living skills
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Find part-time employment opportunities
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Develop basic financial management skills
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Arrange drivers education programs
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Assist with independent living services
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Advise residents enrolled in or searching for college and university programs
The Lloyd House
The "Lloyd House" is a home for The Evans Home residents who have completed high school and need a place to stay during the transition time between dependency and independence.
Many of these young adults are college students, either full time residents or home for breaks. Others are pursuing different preparation for adulthood, needing a place to stay while getting their feet wet in the workplace as productive members of our community. Some have started with us, moved out, and moved back in.
All alumni who live here must work, go to school or both. Alumni pay a program fee while living in the program. Half of their program fee is saved as seed money for independence when they move out. This project fulfills a long time dream of our children, allowing us to welcome them "home" after their first forays away.
Admissions
We often receive referrals from public schools, mental health providers, parents & guardians, local homeless services providers including area nonprofit groups such as the Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter (WATTS) and the Winchester Rescue Mission. We accept referrals from departments of social services with a focus on the Northern Shenandoah Valley area, but we accept kids from anywhere in the state.
Although we want to provide every child with the support they need, due to limited capacity and commitment to a high quality of care, we use the following criteria to evaluate placement (Note that children with special needs will be evaluated on a case by case basis).
Each child must be:
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Of school age (between 5-17 years)
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Eligible to attend public school or able to commute to a nearby private or specialized school (standard school district transportation is provided)
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Currently homeless, or for other reasons privately placed in the care of a guardian with legal custody
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Evaluated by The Evans Home staff as not presenting a threat to the safety or well-being of other residents
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Capable of thriving within our community
Discharge
Our goal is for each child to be in the best environment for their personal growth, which sometimes means leaving The Evans Home.
Reasons for discharge include:
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Life stage change (turning 18, graduating high school, going to college or moving out on their own, etc.)
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Reunification with family or an appropriate caretaker
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Behavior challenges (risky, dangerous, or inappropriate conduct)