Garry’s group home, located in a quiet neighborhood in Southwest Virginia, is built on a simple idea: individuals with disabilities deserve to live in a safe, caring, and comfortable home and live a life with opportunity and dignity. This idea has guided Garry’s career path from working in a training center for individuals with disabilities to becoming a sponsored provider and now opening and managing the group home.
“The staff members and I are committed to do this work and support individuals in living a fulfilling life,” said Garry. “This is their home, and we are their family.”
Jarrid, Josiah, and Kenny each had different journeys that led them to the group home. They each have different medical and health needs, likes and dislikes, and ways of communication. But they have at least one thing in common … they have found a place to belong within these walls.
“They will give you a handshake, smile, or even give you a hug, and we recognize this is their way of showing their appreciation for how we are helping them live their best possible life, and that means the world to us,” said Garry.
Josiah loves to laugh and smile. He enjoys listening to music and watching TV, especially HGTV. Kenny is friendly and outgoing. You’ll often find him on the front porch watching and waving at people in the neighborhood. Jarrid is very warm with those he knows and trusts. He is curious and loves going outdoors to explore his surroundings. It is not always easy to accommodate different activities and navigate needs, but Garry and his team make it happen every day. He said DePaul has played a vital role in making this all possible, too.
“Working with DePaul is a difference of day and night compared to other agencies I’ve worked with,” said Garry. “I feel like DePaul is always available and ready to help.”
“As a program manager, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Garry and his staff, and I’ve seen firsthand how much they care about the individuals they support,” said Lisa, residential program development manager. “They show up every day with compassion, making sure to meet each individual’s needs to ensure they feel safe, valued, and part of their community. That, to me, is what DePaul is all about, supporting individuals in living the life they choose.”
Years ago, DePaul operated multiple group homes, each giving individuals with disabilities a safe place to find belonging, comfort, and care. When those group homes closed, DePaul hoped that the future would bring a chance to serve this population again, in a different and more viable way. In 2025, it happened. DePaul created a new group home model that would allow someone to open their heart and home to multiple individuals with disabilities. It was that chance DePaul had been looking for, to take a piece of the past and design a new path forward. Currently, across DePaul’s footprint, there are close to ten other group homes open or opening. DePaul’s Developmental Disabilities team expects that number to keep growing. Garry and his team will be part of that growth. They plan to open another group home just down the street in that quiet neighborhood in Southwest Virginia, making more hope and belonging possible for those who need it most.
*Photos by Robin Morgan Photography
