Mighty Malachi

It all started with a conversation. Erika Rogers is a single mother of 10, with four who have down syndrome. She was talking with her friend Bonnie Morales, and joked that they would have to live forever in order to take care of their children with special needs.

“After laughing and realizing obviously that’s not possible, we started dreaming about what we want for our special needs children once we are no longer able to take care of them — Abide Village was born,” Rogers said.

Rogers is the founder and president of Abide Village, a nonprofit dedicated to creating an “inclusive, supportive, and sustainable” housing community designed to meet the needs of low-income individuals and those with disabilities. While Abide Village is still in its conceptual stage, Rogers shared a vision of a planned development with at least 30 tiny homes with paved sidewalks, a community center, a small working farm with a farm store, a bed and breakfast with a tea room, walking trails, and a community garden.

Currently, Rogers is eyeing the Holly Grove area for the project. The project would encompass between 30-50 acres and would cost around $4.5 million, according to Rogers.

“This really is a great place to be able to build a community with easy access to services,” Rogers said, noting the location is only 20 minutes from Short Pump while still maintaining the rural identity, quiet nature, and fresh air.

Rogers highlighted Abide Village would tackle the issue of affordable housing, while also being a benefit to provide autonomy to those with special needs.

Rogers, a Texas native, highlighted Down Home Ranch in Elgin, Texas as a model for Abide Village to follow. Down Home Ranch provides residency for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). One difference is that Down Home Ranch provides three- to five-bedroom houses as opposed to individual residences. Rogers also noted Vanguard Landing in Virginia Beach with a similar mission that is currently in its building phase.

Merits of a tiny home include a smaller space to care for, Rogers stated, and that it can provide individuals with special needs their own autonomy without it being overwhelming to maintain.

“I don’t believe one size fits all— everyone is an individual, and sometimes apartment communities are great for those with disabilities to live in; sometimes group homes are good; sometimes living with family is good,” Rogers said. “This is just another option to be able to give them choices.”

After that initial conversation with Morales, Rogers started finding board members in the community who aligned with the vision. Abide Village received their nonprofit status in November of 2024, and as they near their one-year anniversary, have eight board members, with all of their founding members having at least one child with a disability.

“The board members have this lived experience of, ‘what are the options out there for our children once we are no longer able to take care of them?’” Rogers said.

Rogers has remained active, attending events across the state that include down syndrome associations, Autism Society, The Arc of Virginia, and Louisa County Chamber of Commerce events.

“Everywhere that I’ve gone, people have loved this idea,” Rogers said. “It gives me a great feeling that we’re on the right track with something like this. If we do this right and we do this well here in Louisa County, this model can be replicated in other places. 30 tiny homes is barely a drop in the bucket for the need [that exists].”

Continue reading and learn more about how this nonprofit is seeking grants and pursuing fundraising at a local level by clicking the link below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/abide-village-aims-for-a-tiny-home-community/article_fe0bd003-9a80-4f6a-800d-9e6d454df89f.html

Malachi got to help represent Abide Village at the Louisa Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo!

Even during family pictures, the muscles have to come out!!

(Photo credit: Madi Janae Photography)

Malachi got to experience NASCAR with his big sister.
He is now a fan!

Gotta stay in shape, even on the 4th of July!