Renee was diagnosed with autism when she was four years old. Not long after she began kindergarten at public school, her mother, Kimberly, recognized that Renee's behaviors were interfering with her ability to learn. Renee had no means of communicating, and would often lash out and hit her teachers and classmates when her wants or needs were not met.

In her search for a school that would provide her daughter a more individualized approach to education, Kimberly found the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism at St. Joseph's Villa.

"The school felt like it was just right. I couldn't see her going anywhere else," she said.

At Sarah Dooley, Renee's teacher helped her communicate by labeling items in the classroom, from toys to food to technology. Renee learned to use new words, and how to ask for things she wanted without getting frustrated. After gaining the basic ability to say "yes" or "no," she continued to develop new communication skills that unlocked her world.  Learning to communicate enabled Renee to read, solve math problems, and engage her community on field trips to places like restaurants and movie theaters.

Renee returned to public school this year and is doing very well in fourth grade. Kimberly says that Renee is talking more than ever, hardly has behavioral issues, and is much more flexible in trying new things.

"I absolutely loved her teachers and the staff," said Kimberly. "They are the best. They helped Renee come as far as she has."

Visit our website to learn more about how the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism helps students lead fuller and more independent lives.

A new partnership with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity is helping youth at St. Joseph's Villa develop leadership and teamwork skills through real work experience. Students from the Villa's Brook Road Academy, Dooley Center for Alternative Education, Dooley School and Sarah Dooley Center for Autism who participate in our Career and Transition Services perform jobs tailored to their abilities at the Habitat ReStore.



As students manage inventory, stock items and clean, among other responsibilities, they are able to interact with customers and receive career insights from Habitat's management team.

"Our goal is for the students to learn from constructive feedback given outside the Villa, and apply those lessons to their future careers," said Matthew Kreydatus, Director of the Villa's Career and Transition Services.

On top of building their resumes and business connections, Villa students are learning about community needs and the importance of contributing to causes like Habitat for Humanity. By serving the ReStore, students themselves are changing the lives of others.

On November 13, the Villa welcomed Delegate Lamont Bagby, Legislative Assistant to Delegate Jennifer McClellan Abbey Phillips, local education agencies and parents for VAISEF Legislator's Day (Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities). In a highly interactive session, attendees spoke from professional and personal experience about how private individualized education strengthens children, families and the community. Thanks to VAISEF for the opportunity to serve as the host site for this valuable engagement.

"Do something for God, and God will help you."

Balaji Murugesa lives by these words. They were instilled in him by his parents as he witnessed their passion for charitable giving in Chennai, India. When Balaji's career brought him to Richmond in 2010, he immediately looked for ways to carry on his parents' tradition of philanthropy - particularly by helping children in need.

An internet search for children's nonprofits led Balaji to discover St. Joseph's Villa. After participating in a campus tour, he and his wife, Revathi, were overcome with emotion.

"We knew right away how precious our gift would be here," said Balaji. "We had no children at the time, and there were so many children in need at the Villa." Choosing to forgo gifts to each other, Balaji and Revathi have made fourteen personal gifts to the Villa since last year. They have changed countless lives at St. Joseph's Villa by acting on their desire to help those less fortunate.