Shenandoah School of Hope is a nonprofit organization that will provide both residential and day programs of vocational training and education to high functioning young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The program will form partnerships with local businesses, universities, civic organizations and churches. Shenandoah School of Hope’s goal is to offer vocational training, behavioral and social support to our students with developmental and intellectual disabilities, leading to the greatest degree possible of independence, productivity, community integration, and interpersonal satisfaction and assert a sense of hope in the future.
About Us
Our Mission
The Need
- In the U.S. only 34% of those with intellectual or developmental disabilities are employed, and only 18% of those employed are in a competitive work setting.
- In the U.S., no matter the work setting, nearly every adult with an intellectual or developmental disability is underemployed. They don’t work full time and typically earn less than minimum wage.
- In Virginia, only 28.3% of persons with a cognitive disability are employed.
- In Virginia, 28.2% of persons with a cognitive disability live below the poverty line.
- In Virginia, only 25% of persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities work in an integrated work environment.
- For those adults working in a sheltered employment setting, the chances are remote for ever transitioning to a competitive workplace job.
- 80% of the families do not have enough money to pay for the support or care of a relative with a disability, according to a recent survey of 5,000 caregivers.
Our Board of Directors
Stan has a developmentally disabled son and was inspired to start this school based upon his personal experiences. He had a 35 year career selling complex technology solutions to the DoD and large telecommunications companies, and spent three years as Director of Development for a nonprofit. He has a BA from Manchester University, completed his doctoral prerequisites in the Graduate Studies Program in Medieval History at the University of Barcelona, and studied Graduate Business at IESE, University of Navarre. He also completed a Certificate in Fundraising Management at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. He has been a fundraising volunteer for the Special Olympics and he and his wife were Foster Parents for many years, and adopted two children from the Foster Parent program four years ago.
Mr. McWhorter is a licensed C.P.A. located in Houston, TX., practicing since 1981. His areas of focus include: extensive experience in accounting, taxation, auditing and consulting to small businesses, individuals and small nonprofits. Prior to his current position, he worked for Stanton, Meadows and Zarsky. Mr. McWhorter has been involved in charitable fundraising.
Dr. Lewis was the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Clinic and Day Program and the UT Mental Sciences Institute, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas and the Director of the MRDD Clinic, UTMSI. Currently she is in Private Practice and Consultation, specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Medicine specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Medicine, providing psychiatric services to children and adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities in several group home, residential and day program settings.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Society for Autistic Citizens Award for personal and professional contributions in Autism, a Regional AAMD Humanitarian Award, and an ARC Community Service Award.
She has served on several boards and committees, including the Texas Joint Legislative Committee to study the needs of Autistic persons in Texas, the Texas Department MHMR’s Behavior Therapy Modification Committee, Executive Formulary Committee, and Autism Professional Advisory Committee.
She has been on the Editorial Board of the AAMR and has obtained numerous clinical contracts and participated in research grants.
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Society for Autistic Citizens Award for personal and professional contributions in Autism, a Regional AAMD Humanitarian Award, and an ARC Community Service Award.
She has served on several boards and committees, including the Texas Joint Legislative Committee to study the needs of Autistic persons in Texas, the Texas Department MHMR’s Behavior Therapy Modification Committee, Executive Formulary Committee, and Autism Professional Advisory Committee.
She has been on the Editorial Board of the AAMR and has obtained numerous clinical contracts and participated in research grants.
Dr. Bob Nay was a Clinical Associate Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine, teaching and supervising first and second year medical students in conduct and behavioral disorders, anger management, parent training, and behavioral health sciences. He has a Private Practice, counseling adults, adolescents and parent-child populations with a focus on cognitive behavioral treatment, anger and aggression, marital and family, and health issues. He is the author of numerous books and articles, has served on many editorial boards and has given many professional talks in his areas of expertise.
Dr. Rick Ostrander is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He was the Founding Director of the Pediatric Psychology Program and was also the Founding Director of Fellowship Program in Pediatric Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is a trained Applied Behavioral Analyst. He is currently the Director of the Pediatric Cortical Function Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University Children’s Center. Dr. Ostrander has over 70 peer reviewed publications, is the author of many book chapters, and has served as a reviewer of numerous psychology publications. He has also served as Congressional Science Fellow; during this time, he helped further legislation related to mental health parity and special education reform.
Our Goal:
To raise $10 million dollars to purchase land, build and furnish school facilities, and cover initial operating expenses of the Shenandoah School of Hope.