This summer, VersAbility Resources and VersAbility TECH welcomed young learners for an exciting four-day Drone Camp presented by eAviation & Drone Academy, where curiosity, technology, and hands-on learning came together to inspire the next generation of innovators.
Throughout the week, participants explored the fundamentals of aviation and drone flight while developing real-world STEM skills in a fun, engaging environment. Campers learned how drones are used in everyday industries, practiced flying through interactive missions and challenges, and gained a deeper understanding of the technology shaping the future of transportation, business, and public safety. The camp was designed for hands-on learners, encouraging problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence with every flight.
Supporting experiences like Drone Camp reflect VersAbility’s commitment to helping create opportunities that help individuals discover new interests, build practical skills, and explore exciting career pathways. By introducing participants to emerging technologies at an early age, we’re helping spark curiosity that can grow into lifelong learning and future careers.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this incredible week of learning and discovery.
We invite you to browse the photo gallery below to see some of the highlights from Drone Camp in action!
We’re proud to share that VersAbility Resources’ Lewis B. Puller Center in Gloucester has earned a 2026 Top 3 BusinessRate Award, recognizing it among the top-rated organizations in its area.
BusinessRate is a third-party analytics platform that ranks local businesses and nonprofits using performance metrics and public Google Business Profile data. While it isn’t an official award from Google, the recognition draws directly on the reviews and experiences people have shared about our center — which is what makes it so meaningful.
This honor reflects the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our incredible team, who create a welcoming environment where the people we support can live, learn, and thrive every day.
Thank you to our team members, the individuals and families we serve, and everyone who shared their experiences. Your support and trust make recognitions like this possible, and we’re honored to continue serving our community.
Looking for your next career opportunity? Come meet the VersAbility Resources team at the Hampton Roads Hiring Expo on Friday, July 31.
We’ll be there with hiring managers conducting on-the-spot interviews for a variety of open positions. Stop by our booth to learn more about careers at VersAbility, ask questions, and take the next step toward meaningful employment.
We’ll see you from 1–4 PM at the Holiday Inn Newport News-Hampton.
The invitation promised an evening of appreciation. What guests got was something more.
VersAbility appreciates the donors, community partners, and friends whose generosity and belief in their mission make it possible for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive every day. What unfolded was an evening filled with gratitude, celebration, meaningful connections, and one unforgettable surprise.
We believe it’s important to pause and celebrate the people who make our mission possible. Partners in Purpose wasn’t about asking for support — it was about expressing our sincere gratitude to those who continue to stand beside us and invest in our mission.
Every person in the room represented a story of generosity, compassion, and partnership. Whether through financial support, advocacy, or leadership, our donors and community partners help open doors and minds to opportunity for over 1,500 individuals and families each year and we are deeply grateful for the trust they place in our mission.
What followed was an evening of recognition, tribute, and — in its most memorable moment — genuine surprise.
Ability Angels: A Circle of Commitment
Among the evening’s highlights was the recognition of VersAbility’s Ability Angels, a distinguished group of major donors who have pledged $10,000 or more in support of the organization’s employment, residential, early childhood, and day support programs.
Eleven returning Ability Angels were celebrated for their continued commitment, and two new members were welcomed into the community: Shelley Smith and Glenhouse Properties.
We are incredibly grateful to each of our Ability Angels. Collectively, these supporters represent something larger than a giving level. They represent a belief — in possibility, in inclusion, and in a future where people of all abilities have the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.
Advocates Recognized for Impact Beyond the Check
The evening also honored two recipients of VersAbility’s Ability Advocate Award: Wayne MacMasters and Alexis Swann.
Both were recognized for contributions that go well beyond financial support — for the leadership, partnership, and sustained advocacy they have brought to the VersAbility community. Their recognition underscored a truth the organization returns to often: lasting impact requires people willing to invest their time, talent, and voice alongside their resources.
Twenty Years, One Surprise
Then came the moment no one had planned for — except the people who had been quietly planning it for weeks.
As the evening’s program drew toward a close, guests turned their attention to President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski, who believed she was simply attending the same dinner as everyone else.
She was not.
What unfolded was an emotional tribute to 20 years of leadership at VersAbility — two decades during which Grzelkowski helped guide the organization through significant growth while never losing sight of the individuals at the center of its mission. Today, VersAbility directly supports more than 1,500 people annually through employment, workforce training, residential, early childhood, and community-based programs.
Family members, her best friend, colleagues, and musical guests all played a part in a celebration that moved quickly from surprise to tears to laughter to standing ovations. Her mother was in the room (also a surprise). So were the memories of two decades of relationships built through work that is, at its core, about people.
It was, by every account, the kind of moment that doesn’t happen at a fundraiser.
The Point of the Evening
As dinner gave way to music, dancing, and conversation among friends old and new, the through-line of the night came into focus.
Partners in Purpose was never about what comes next. It was about honoring what already is — the community of people who show up, year after year, to invest in others.
Behind every program VersAbility runs, every success story it tells, every opportunity it creates, are people who made a choice. The dinner was VersAbility’s way of making sure they knew it.
The greens at Cedar Point Club were in perfect shape on the morning of May 14, 2026. By the time the last putt dropped, the day had produced something far more significant than a leaderboard.
VersAbility Resources’ annual Ability Am Golf Tournament drew 23 teams and 92 golfers to the Suffolk course, raising nearly $96,000 to support employment services, day support programs, and community engagement opportunities for individuals of all abilities across Hampton Roads.
It was, by every measure, another successful tournament. But the numbers don’t capture the full picture.
A Partnership Built Over Time
The Ability Am doesn’t happen without Wayne MacMasters. The presenting sponsor has backed the tournament since its first year, and his continued investment has shaped not only the event’s financial foundation but its culture. His presence each year signals something to every golfer and volunteer who shows up: this is worth your time.
“Unwavering” is the word VersAbility uses to describe MacMasters’ support. It shows.
On the Other Side of the Ropes
While competitive golfers worked through their rounds, a different kind of game was being played nearby.
Thirty-four participants from VersAbility programs joined six First Tee instructors for an inclusive golf experience that has quietly become one of the tournament’s most anticipated traditions. The partnership, now in its second year of expanded participation, centers less on technique and more on what the game can offer someone who’s never held a club before: structure, confidence, and the particular satisfaction of making contact with a ball and watching it fly.
The instructors were patient. The participants were enthusiastic. And by every account from those on the ground, the smiles were plentiful.
The Story of Zane Sanford
If the tournament had an MVP this year, the case could be made for Zane Sanford — though he might deflect the attention.
Sanford joined VersAbility’s Government Contracts program in August 2023 as a General Laborer. He has since been promoted to Team Leader. He is also, it turns out, a scratch golfer — a distinction that puts him in rare company anywhere, let alone on a course where his organization celebrated him in front of sponsors and peers.
The recognition didn’t stop there. Sanford was recently named a finalist for a statewide self-advocacy award, finishing second among nominees from across Virginia.
His trajectory — from new hire to team leader to award finalist, all within three years — is exactly the kind of outcome VersAbility points to when making the case for what sustained support and meaningful employment can do.
What the Money Does
The $96,000 raised will move through VersAbility’s programs in ways that don’t always make for easy storytelling: job coaching, transportation coordination, benefits counseling, day program staffing. The infrastructure, in other words, that makes independence possible.
Looking Ahead
VersAbility is already looking toward next year’s tournament. The First Tee partnership is expected to grow. The competitive field will return. And somewhere in the mix, there will be another story like Zane Sanford’s — someone whose progress the broader community hasn’t yet had the chance to see.
That, more than anything, is what the Ability Am is built around.
For many high school students, graduation is exciting.
It’s also a little overwhelming.
The structure of school is ending. New opportunities are beginning. And suddenly, students are expected to make decisions about, jobs, higher education and training programs, transportation, finances, and what comes next.
For students with disabilities, that transition can come with additional challenges. That’s why VersAbility Resources’ Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) launched its Skills in Action program this summer — to help students build the confidence and practical skills they need before they take that next step.
Over the course of eight weeks, high school students from across the region came to VersAbility’s Copeland Center to learn, practice, and experience what life after graduation can look like.
But this wasn’t a traditional classroom experience.
Instead of simply talking about workplace skills, students put them into action.
They explored potential career paths, practiced interviewing with hiring professionals, learned how to manage a budget, strengthened communication skills, explored transportation options, and gained valuable experience advocating for themselves in workplace scenarios.
Most importantly, they had the opportunity to practice these skills in a supportive environment where making mistakes was part of the learning process.
For Jamal, a senior at Bethel High School, the program helped prepare him for what comes next.
“It prepared me for the next level I’m going to,” he said. “This kind of helped me for everything I needed to know.”
One of the lessons that stuck with him was interview preparation.
“Giving them a firm handshake and asking them how they’re doing today,” Jamal said when describing what he learned from participating in mock interviews.
Other students discovered the importance of communication, teamwork, and asking for help when needed.
“I learned that communication is key,” said Kathy, another graduating senior. “Everyone is kind enough to help you even when you’re struggling.”
Throughout the program, students participated in hands-on activities designed to make workplace concepts tangible and memorable. One of the most popular experiences was a courtroom-style self-advocacy activity where students took on the roles of judges, lawyers, witnesses, and jurors.
The exercise wasn’t just about having fun. It was about helping students understand how to speak up for themselves, navigate workplace challenges, and advocate for fair treatment.
Employment Specialist Tracy Peters saw firsthand how those experiences helped students grow.
“Our self-advocacy lesson was really impactful,” she said. “They learned how to stand up for themselves and advocate for their needs and wants.”
As the weeks progressed, staff members noticed something even more meaningful than new skills.
They saw confidence growing.
Students who were initially quiet began participating more. They supported one another during activities. They became more comfortable introducing themselves, answering questions, and interacting with professionals.
“The biggest thing was their confidence,” Tracy said. “They’re engaging, they’re standing up, they’re laughing, they’re making jokes. They’re supporting each other.”
That confidence is exactly what the program is designed to build.
Whether a student plans to enter the workforce, pursue trade training, attend college, or continue exploring career options, success starts with believing they are capable.
At VersAbility, Pre-ETS Skills in Action is about more than preparing students for employment. It’s about helping them recognize their strengths, discover new possibilities, and leave knowing they are ready for whatever comes next.
For many job seekers, the hardest part of finding employment isn’t learning a trade — it’s building the confidence and professional skills to walk in the door and succeed. VersAbility TECH is looking for someone who understands that, and who wants to do something about it.
The Professional Development Instructor role sits at the heart of VersAbility’s workforce development programs, helping neurodiverse and disabled adults develop the workplace readiness skills employers actually want: communication, professionalism, time management, teamwork, and career planning.
You’ll design and deliver curriculum, facilitate workshops on resume writing and interview prep, and provide one-on-one coaching — all in a learning environment built around inclusion, encouragement, and growth.
This isn’t a traditional classroom gig.
It’s a coaching role as much as a teaching one. The right candidate is someone who can read a room, adjust their approach for different learning styles, and meet participants where they are. Experience working with neurodiverse individuals is a strong plus, but what matters most is the mindset: patient, adaptable, and genuinely invested in helping people reach their potential.
Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in education, human resources, or a related field, along with at least three years of experience in training, coaching, or workforce development. Familiarity with tools like Canva, Canvas, or Google Workspace is a bonus.
This is a full-time, Monday through Friday position (8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) based in Hampton, Virginia. It’s an opportunity to work for a mission-driven nonprofit that has spent decades creating real pathways for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive.
If you’re ready to make your workday matter, apply at VersAbility’s careers site or reach out to wehire@versability.org.
On May 22, VersAbility Resources hosted Bloom Ball — a prom-style celebration created especially for individuals in our Day Support Program — and it was everything we hoped it would be and more.
More than just a dance, Bloom Ball gave participants the chance to dress up, shine, and soak in a night built entirely around them — full of confidence, connection, and pure joy.
There was music and dancing, photos and laughter, and so many shared moments between friends, participants, and staff that reminded us exactly why this program matters.
Events like Bloom Ball are at the heart of what our Day Support Program is all about — creating space where every individual feels seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
This year’s celebration did just that, and then some.
Scroll through the gallery below and relive a few of our favorite moments from this unforgettable evening.
What if your summer internship actually mattered? Not a “get coffee and shadow someone” experience. Not a line on your resume you’ll struggle to explain in an interview.
Real work. Real impact. A real mission.
VersAbility Resources is now accepting applications for its Summer 2026 Internship Program — and if you’re a junior, senior, or graduate student ready to do something that counts, this is where you want to be.
VersAbility Resources exists to create opportunities, build independence, and strengthen communities for people with disabilities. Every program, every service, every initiative is built around one question: what does this person need to thrive?
When you intern here, you’re not supporting a product. You’re supporting people. And that changes what work feels like.
Internship opportunities are available across three focus areas — choose the one that aligns with where you’re headed:
Human Resources — Go behind the scenes on recruiting, onboarding, and employee engagement at an organization where inclusive hiring with intention is everything
Grant Writing — Learn to build a funding case, tell a compelling story, and help secure resources that power life-changing programs
Workforce Development — Support initiatives that prepare individuals for employment and lasting independence
Each path is different. The experience you’ll walk away with is the same: hands-on skills, professional mentorship, and work you’ll actually want to talk about.
Students pursuing communications, marketing, HR, nonprofit management, business, or workforce development will find strong alignment here. But more than your major, VersAbility is looking for people who show up with curiosity, care about doing good work, and want to be part of something bigger than themselves.
What sets VersAbility apart isn’t just the work — it’s the culture. Collaboration is the norm. Support is built in. And growth isn’t just encouraged; it’s expected.
There is extraordinary talent within every person — sometimes visible, sometimes waiting for the right opportunity to shine.
At VersAbility Resources, we witness that truth every day. In a student earning their first industry certification. In an artist discovering their creative voice. In an employee thriving in a career that fits. In the quiet determination of someone building independence, one step at a time.
Hidden Talents, the 2026 VersAbility Resources Annual Fundraising Gala, is a celebration of those gifts — and of the inclusive community that makes them possible.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and impact as we honor stories of resilience, creativity, and possibility.
We’re thrilled to welcome internationally recognized speaker Jessica Cox — the world’s first licensed armless pilot — whose remarkable life and message will remind every person in the room what human potential truly looks like.
Guests will also enjoy a special live performance, a high-energy DJ, a delicious plated dinner, an exciting paddle raise, and more.
Your presence and support help ensure that more hidden talents are found, celebrated, and given the space to flourish.
Purchase tickets, secure sponsorships, and learn more here:
VersAbility Resources is celebrating a moment of well-deserved recognition for one of the region’s most dedicated community leaders.
President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski has been named the 2025 First Citizen of the Virginia Peninsula, an honor presented annually by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment to community represent the very best of civic life in the region.
For those who know Grzelkowski’s work, the recognition comes as no surprise.
For nearly two decades, she has led VersAbility with a steady vision rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life.
Since becoming President and CEO 20 years ago, Grzelkowski has helped guide the organization through remarkable growth and transformation. Today, VersAbility supports more than 1,500 individuals each year through employment programs, community living services, and early childhood initiatives — creating pathways to independence and belonging for people with disabilities across the Virginia Peninsula.
Yet what truly defines Grzelkowski’s leadership is the way it reaches beyond any single organization.
Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for partnerships that strengthen the entire community. As a past board chair of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and a contributor to numerous regional and statewide initiatives, she has consistently worked to bring together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and public institutions to solve challenges and expand opportunity.
At its heart, this recognition reflects the mission that has guided VersAbility for generations — creating communities where people of all abilities are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Under Grzelkowski’s leadership, that mission continues to grow in both reach and impact, ensuring that inclusion is not just an ideal, but a lived reality across the Virginia Peninsula.
A Leadership Journey Rooted in Advocacy
Accepting the award at a gala held at Christopher Newport University, Grzelkowski reflected on the early experiences that shaped her perspective on fairness, leadership, and service. Raised by parents who were sociology professors, she grew up immersed in conversations about citizenship and the responsibilities individuals share in building stronger communities.
One childhood moment offered an early glimpse of the advocate she would become. While working in her family’s apple orchard packing house as a young child, Grzelkowski discovered that her brother was being paid more for the same work. With encouragement from the women working alongside her, she created a protest sign and staged a picket for equal wages, successfully convincing her grandfather to change the pay structure.
“That determined little girl with a handmade sign and a heart for fairness grew up to become a city planner,” she told the audience during her remarks.
Her early career in planning and work with community-focused organizations ultimately led her to VersAbility nearly 20 years ago. At the time, both she and the organization’s board took a leap of faith, with Grzelkowski stepping into her first CEO role and into a field where she had not previously worked.
“Sometimes life calls us to stretch, to overcome our fears and doubts, and step up to serve at a higher level,” she said.
Advancing Opportunity for People with Disabilities
Throughout her tenure, Grzelkowski has remained deeply motivated by VersAbility’s mission to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to meaningful employment, independence, and full participation in community life.
“People with disabilities are often overlooked, their voices are not heard, and their gifts and experiences are often overlooked,” she said during her acceptance speech. “That’s the ‘why’ that drives everything we do.”
Grzelkowski emphasized that these achievements are the result of a dedicated team and strong partnerships across the region.
“I accept this honor as a reflection of a team and community that believes in shared responsibility and shared success,” she told attendees.
A Vision for the Future of Inclusion
Grzelkowski is optimistic about the future of inclusion in Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between business leaders, community organizations, and public institutions to create sustainable opportunity for everyone.
VersAbility continues to play a vital role in that effort by expanding workforce pathways, strengthening partnerships with employers, and helping ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to dignified lives of their choosing.
“If a little girl can stand up for fairness,” she said, “then surely we, together, can build a community where dignity and opportunity belong to everyone.”
VersAbility Resources, a Hampton-based nonprofit empowering people with disabilities through early childhood, day support, residential services, workforce training and meaningful employment, proudly announces that Zane Sanford has been named a finalist for the 2025 SourceAmerica Evelyne Villines Award, one of the organization’s most prestigious national honors.
The Evelyne Villines Award recognizes employees with disabilities across the nation who exemplify exceptional leadership, initiative and advocacy within their workplace and community. Presented annually as part of SourceAmerica’s Achievement Awards, the honor celebrates individuals whose work and dedication advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities at a time when national unemployment rates for this population remain nearly double those of people without disabilities.
Sanford began his career with VersAbility in August 2023 as a General Laborer on the Ship Provisions Program in Norfolk, which supports mission-essential naval operations throughout the Hampton Roads region. Through his professionalism, reliability and leadership, Sanford quickly earned the respect of his peers and supervisors. He was promoted to team leader in December 2024, where he now manages a team of over 50 employees and has supported an estimated 1,000 Navy ships, demonstrating the substantial trust and responsibility the organization has placed in him.
As a hearing-impaired employee, Sanford’s leadership extends beyond his job responsibilities. He has provided interpreter support for fellow 16 hearing-impaired coworkers, fostering inclusion, understanding and effective communication across his team. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities has made him a trusted leader and mentor among his peers.
“Zane’s leadership reflects the very best of Hampton Roads’ workforce,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO of VersAbility Resources. “His work not only strengthens our support to our nation’s military but also embodies the power of inclusion and opportunity that defines our community.”
In addition to his leadership at VersAbility, Sanford represented the organization at the 2025 SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., where he met with Congressional and Senate representatives to advocate for the AbilityOne Program and champion expanded employment opportunities for people with disabilities nationwide.
For decades, SourceAmerica’s Achievement Awards have honored nonprofits, employees and business partners for their exceptional contributions to disability employment. Winners will be announced during SourceAmerica’s annual ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
To learn more about SourceAmerica’s Achievement Awards and view a full list of finalists, visit SourceAmerica.org.
Getting hired. Onboarding and orientation. First day on the job.
It can be stressful to start any new position. Amanda Kuzma and the nine other Employment Specialists at VersAbility Resources are there to facilitate all of those challenges and more with new hires who are part of the nonprofit’s Supported Employment Program.
More than 400 people with disabilities have jobs through this program in areas such as food service, warehousing, custodial services, retail, graphic design, hospitality, information technology, health care and more.
Employment Specialists are job coaches who help individuals with disabilities find steady employment. The person with the disability must first receive a referral from Virginia’s Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). With that achieved, the individual and the job coach explore possible career fields based on the person’s interests and aspirations.
“We have individuals interested in stocking, cleaning, and data entry. Some are even interested in being a lawyer,” Kuzma said.
A day in the life of a job coach varies as much as it does for people with disabilities. The job coach is a liaison, offering as much or as little assistance as needed. They can help the candidate with resume preparation and/or interviewing skills.
Once the person is hired, the job coach undergoes the same training as the person hired, so if needed, they can break down the job requirements into smaller steps.
“We learn at the same time they are learning,” Kuzma said. “We meet with the employer and make sure they understand the rules of coaching, how long we’re going to be there, and how it’s of benefit to them. We don’t disclose the disability, but we’re there to make sure the training goes smoothly.”
That process often involves role-playing so the individual can feel comfortable meeting whatever issues come up during a typical day. Often, coaching is reminding the new hire of the scenario that they practiced together.
In sharing an anecdote about a new hire who was unsure of how to interact with a new co-worker, Kuzma said, “The coach stepped in and said, ‘OK. This is a situation where we need to flex our communication muscles like we practiced.’ The individual was able to say, ‘Oh, I remember how to do that!’”
Often, new hires struggle with anxiety, she said. Among the success stories Kuzma shares is a new employee attending an orientation and feeling overwhelmed by so many others in the room also taking part in onboarding.
“We were able to have our own private orientation where I explained the materials to him, and he didn’t feel like he was on display in front of a lot of other people,” Kuzma said.
On the first day of work, he asked Kuzma, “What if I make a mistake?”
“I’ll be right there to help you,” she reassured.
For the first week, Kuzma was with him every day while he worked in the memory care unit. His tasks ranged from washing dishes to monitoring residents for safety. Early on, he alerted another staffer when he saw a confused resident try to leave the unit.
“He was able to say, ‘OK. This isn’t right.” Kuzma said. “For him ,that was a huge victory.”
Kuzma continued to connect with him when challenges came up during the pandemic. She was no longer able to be there in person, so she used video calls to communicate, teaching him how to put on his PPE equipment safely.
“Five years later, he’s the highest paid dishwasher there, and he has been Employee of the Month three times,” she said. “He overcame so much through his determination.”
Versability workers clean up at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station Monday March 11, 2024.
The goal is always independence so once the new employee feels comfortable, the job coach fades out, though continues to monitor with occasional check-ins.
“Some people need us for a day; some need us for two weeks,” Kuzma said. “Everything we do is different for every person.”
But one thing that is the same: “We empower the individual the whole way through.”
When Jocelyn Hilker was born, her parents, John and Lisa, had no idea of the challenges they would face raising a child with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Diagnosed at six-months-old, Jocelyn’s disability presented daily struggles for the Hilker family. But when the family discovered VersAbility Resources, it became the turning point in their journey. It provided a solution for Jocelyn’s needs.
Early Struggles and Growing Needs
Jocelyn’s condition was challenging from the start, and as she grew older, the obstacles became even more apparent.
“When you raise a child with a disability such as Jocelyn, when they’re young, there is so much support, but as she got older, it became less and less available,” John said. “That put a tremendous amount of stress on our family.”
Jocelyn’s disability is degenerative, meaning as she aged, her abilities diminished.
“By age 10 or 12,” John said, “she had lived the best years of her life. She lost some functions and memory, and it was hard on us as parents.”
The Hilker family found themselves in a tough spot, balancing the constant care Jocelyn required with their own lives.
“The family unit all becomes about Jocelyn’s needs,” Lisa said. “And rightfully so. But as parents, you lose a little of yourself in the process.”
A New Beginning with VersAbility
Everything changed when the Hilkers found VersAbility. It wasn’t just a new care provider—it was a fresh start.
“When we found VersAbility,” John said, “it was like a breath of fresh air. It allowed Jocelyn to find independence, and for us as parents, it was life-changing.”
The Hikers discovered the Cloverleaf House, part of the community living program provided by VersAbility, and it became Jocelyn’s new home.
VersAbility provides community living and residential services at eight residential homes in Hampton, Newport News and York County. VersAbility works directly with people seeking housing support, aging parents needing assistance for adult children, families who plan to move their loved ones out of an institution or those who want a more independent living option nearby.
Caring staff provides support 24/7/365.
Finding VersAbility, for the Hilkers, was the turning point in Jocelyn’s journey to a more independent life.
“Once we found VersAbility and the Cloverleaf House, Jocelyn could go under their care and start to live more independently,” Lisa said. “It was remarkable, probably better for her than for us.”
The Power of Independence and Care
With VersAbility’s support, Jocelyn could have new opportunities. The staff at Cloverleaf House provides daily care that allows Jocelyn to make choices in her life, which was hard to achieve while living with her parents.
“Her ability to make decisions independently became real for her. And it has been a huge benefit,” John said.
Jocelyn now enjoys outings, activities and her own space.
“She loves decorating her room with butterflies, flowers and things around her,” Lisa said. “It’s her personal space. And it’s allowed her to thrive in ways we never imagined.”
Reclaiming Life for the Whole Family
As much as VersAbility helped Jocelyn, it also supported the Hilker family as a whole. The weight of caregiving that once fell solely on John and Lisa’s shoulders was now shared by VersAbility’s professional staff.
“The stress is gone now,” John said. “When we see Jocelyn, we can have fun. We’re not always considering her needs because VersAbility takes care of that.”
The Hilkers can now enjoy time with Jocelyn as a family without the emotional and physical exhaustion of constant caregiving.
“It was like a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders,” Lisa said. “We still get to be parents but don’t have to manage everything anymore.”
Advice to Other Families
John and Lisa’s story is one of hope and relief, and they want other families facing similar challenges to know that help is available.
“If you have a child or loved one with disabilities and you’re struggling, I encourage you to consider VersAbility,” Lisa said. “It was the best decision for us and Jocelyn.”
“Our lives have improved dramatically, but more importantly,” John said, “Jocelyn’s life has improved. I can’t recommend VersAbility enough.”
