Virginia Women's Center Makes Generous Donation and Commitment in Hanover County

RICHMOND, Va., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In Hanover County, 600 families live below the poverty line, 146 families have no source of heat and nearly 200 families lack complete plumbing supplies. In the majority of these homes, there are children under the age of 18. The rise in the price of land coupled with the economic downturn has forced even more families out of the housing market. Hanover Habitat for Humanity seeks to eradicate substandard housing in Hanover County by building safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income families. Virginia Women's Center is taking action in more ways than one.

In response to the needs of the Hanover community, the physicians of Virginia Women's Center, a Richmond-based women's health practice, have donated 1.8 acres of land on Pleasant Grove Road to Hanover Habitat for Humanity. Virginia Women's Center isn't stopping at that, their staff and physicians will be involved from start to finish. Following the groundbreaking on May 19, the staff and physicians, as well as other community volunteers, will begin the 16-week process of building a home for the Goodman family.

Lifelong residents of Hanover County, Jimmy and Lori Goodman have three children; the youngest is two years-old. To live within their means, the Goodmans have rented a home for 15 years that currently has no running water, a woodstove as their only source of heat, and all their meals must be prepared using a hot plate or microwave. The Goodmans pay very little to rent their current home and have willingly endured these conditions to save money for a home of their own. Jimmy comments, "I appreciated the opportunity to move out on my own at just 17 years old and was blessed with a good and honest family to rent from. I can live on what I've got, but I'm excited to have a new home for my family." The Goodmans emphasize that owning a Habitat home will be a profound improvement and opportunity for their family, and it is a financial step they are finally ready to take.

Practice Administrator at Virginia Women's Center, Brenda Burgess, said, "As a practice, we were familiar with Hanover Habitat for Humanity and the life-changing work that they do; we are thrilled to be able to partner with them." Burgess noted that the gift of land has special significance as one of Virginia Women's Center's locations, in the Medical Office Building at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center, is right around the corner from the land on which the Goodman's home will be built. Since 1993, Virginia Women's Center has provided much-needed health care to the women of Hanover County. As Burgess remarked, "We are now excited to be able to further respond to the needs of Hanover County by partnering with Hanover Habitat for Humanity and working together to invest in the community where we serve."

About Virginia Women's Center
Virginia Women's Center is a full-service women's health care provider specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, urology, high-risk obstetrics, obstetrical genetic counseling, ultrasound, mammography, bone health, psychology, nutrition and clinical research. The practice sees patients in four locations in the Richmond area and has an additional office in Kilmarnock. For more information, visit www.VirginiaWomensCenter.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Hanover Habitat for Humanity
Hanover Habitat for Humanity is an interfaith nonprofit Christian organization, committed in partnership with qualified families and community volunteers to create and sell homes with no-profit mortgages. We seek to eradicate substandard housing in Hanover County by encouraging all stakeholders to make affordable housing a matter of action and conscience. To volunteer, donate or learn more please contact us at 804-569-6108, [email protected], or visit our website at www.hanoverhfh.org.

SOURCE Virginia Women’s Center