DeLand

Duvall Homes’ Hits a New Milestone

October 17, 2016 With deepest gratitude, the Board of Regents and Staff of Duvall Homes would like to thank friends, families and sponsors for their support of this year’s Inspiration Gala, which took place at the Sanborn Center in DeLand, September 23, 2016. In only its second year, the organization’s newly established annual fundraiser topped nearly $80,000.

“For several years we have been working very hard to raise community awareness about the good work that goes on here at Duvall Homes,” said Duvall’s CEO, Steven DeVane. “We certainly saw, first-hand, the power of one as sponsors, staff and the community came together for a great cause and a great evening, and I personally thank everyone involved. While our work is not done here, the future is bright and we couldn’t be prouder.”

Florida ranks 49 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia in funding services for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and that shortage has a ripple effect on family members, employers, the community and the state. Donations that come through fundraisers like the Gala are vital to sustaining Duvall’s mission.

“Duvall Homes serves a function of taking care of people who can’t take care of themselves,” said longtime Duvall supporter Bert Reames, President of Reames Employee Benefits Solutions. “I feel the rest of us have a moral obligation to take care of those people, and through Duvall Homes we get that done. Thank you to Duvall Homes for permitting us to be part of the family and give support to their projects.” Bert and Julie Reames are the 2016 recipients of The Alanson and Thelma Duvall Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Service, presented at the Gala.

“Duvall Homes’ mission of caring for its residents greatly mirrors the commitment we feel to our patients, our teammates, and our world,” said Jason Cline, VP and General Manager of DaVita Labs who served as the Gala’s Presenting Sponsor.

Other corporate sponsors included Florida Hospital, Tower Realty Partners, Florida Public Utilities, Park Shore Pharmacon, Florida Health Care Plans, Gateway Bank of Florida, Mainstreet Community Bank of Florida, Marshall Law Office, Merrill Lynch, and Olivari & Associates, to name just a few.

“It was an amazing team effort,” said Elizabeth Bhimjee, Duvall Homes’ Chief Marketing and Development Officer and Gala Coordinator. “We received an outpouring of support from the community again this year. It was inspiring to see so many individuals and organizations come together to help us achieve another new milestone in Duvall’s long history.” For more information, visit DuvallHomes.org.

Celebrating 70 Years of Care

February 4, 2016 For more than 70 years, since 1945, Duvall Homes remains steadfast to its founding core values and mission to benefit individuals with developmental disabilities who require extensive services and care. Licensed by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Duvall Homes is a non-profit 501c3 corporation that provides quality residential care and day training programs for adults with a broad range of developmental disabilities, such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome to name just a few. Duvall Homes seeks to provide the highest quality of life and greatest level of independence for each resident by creating an individualized plan that includes opportunities for personal growth. Providing social and vocational experiences in the community are key components in an effective program that leads to a life of dignity and independence for each resident. Learn more in this video.

New Sign & Award for Duvall Homes

January 20, 2016 A new sign for Duvall Homes is installed at the Grand Avenue campus in Glenwood, Florida and the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce “noticed.”

You may have noticed the recent changes taking place on our main campus. So have others. The “We Noticed” Award is presented by Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce to a member business that has made noticeable improvements to their property/business.

Photos were taken with Chamber Ambassadors and sent to local media outlets, placed in Chamber communications and promoted through social networks. The plan was to provide greater visibility for Duvall Homes.

Duvall Homes Sign — New Sign for Duvall Homes

After months of clearing trees and debris, applying fresh coats of paint, removing old fencing and demolishing buildings, the facilities staff at Duvall Homes could take a bow. This initial facelift is just the start of changing features and physical improvements to come, so keep watching!

Greenfeather Grant Recipient: Duvall Homes

September 21, 2015

Stetson University’s Greenfeather Grant recipient for 2015 is Duvall Homes, it was announced today by Veronica Hernandez, AmeriCorps VISTA who serves as Stetson’s Greenfeather advisor.

A long held tradition at Stetson University, Greenfeather originated in 1952, as an autumn carnival where students raised funds for local charities. Over the decades, Greenfeather has expanded to include a weeklong competition between student teams vying for the Greenfeather Cup. This year, as part of Stetson’s annual Homecoming traditions, Greenfeather teams will compete in fundraisers with the goal of raising $10,000 to present to Duvall Homes at half-time of the Hatter Homecoming football game, Saturday, Nov. 14.

“Greenfeather is a unique tradition that is only seen at Stetson,” said Hernandez. “The whole university comes together and uses the energy of Homecoming traditions to give back to our local community.”

Duvall Homes is a local nonprofit agency that offers a range of services to empower adults with disabilities. The awarding of this grant coincides with the 70th anniversary of Duvall Homes as well as the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since Duvall Homes opened its doors in 1945, its mission has been to “provide the highest quality of life the greatest level of independence for each resident by creating an individualized plan that includes opportunities for personal growth.” Stetson’s 2015 Greenfeather Grant will contribute to an organization that seeks to provide skills to those with disabilities that will “lead to a life of dignity and independence.”

The Greenfeather Grant will go to Duvall Homes’ ECCO project (Enhancing Communication and Community Opportunities-for the Developmentally Disabled), which will expand their Day Training program.

“More than 50 percent of participants are non-verbal communicators and funding for technology and assistive software is vital to opening the door to language and self-expression,” said Elizabeth Bhimjee, director of Development at Duvall Homes. “Despite having only 10 iPads to share among 83 participants, the staff is witnessing incredible breakthroughs with this technology.”

The Greenfeather Grant will be used to provide for much needed additional technology, vocational training equipment, and educational materials to support the growing number of participants.

Greenfeather team registration is currently open for all student organizations and even students who wish to create their own team! More information on the events, donations and the link to register for Greenfeather, can be found at stetson.edu/homecoming.