08/21/2026
So thankful to The Central Virginian for covering this story!
In a region where affordable housing can be difficult to find and families of people with disabilities often face limited options, a new Louisa County organization is trying to build something its founders say does not yet exist in Central Virginia: a community designed around inclusion and independence.
That vision took a major step forward on Sat. Aug 15, when more than 100 people gathered at Banditās Ridge Winery for Abide Villageās inaugural Boots & Bling Gala, raising thousands of dollars toward making the concept a reality.
For parents raising children with disabilities, questions about the future can linger long after the day-to-day challenges are over: Who will be there to support them? Will they have a place to call home, a sense of purpose and a community they can truly call their own?
These are the questions at the heart of Abide Village, a fledgling Louisa County nonprofit working to establish a neighborhood where low-income residents and those with special needs can build friendships and know they are not facing the world alone.
The evening, held from 6 to 9 p.m., featured a catered dinner, music by a DJ, as well as silent and live auctions. More than 20 businesses, organizations and individuals from across the Commonwealth sponsored the event, which served as Abide Villageās first major public introduction and fundraising effort.
The money raised will go toward a down payment on property for the planned neighborhood, which organizers are targeting for the Holly Grove area.
But the fundraising represents only the beginning.
Abide Village is envisioning a community of more than 30 cottage-style homes, each approximately 600 square feet, surrounding a community center, a working farm and shared gardens. The organization also plans to offer quarterly life-skills classes covering areas such as money management, meal preparation, laundry and more.
The concept is rooted in Founder Erika Rogersā own experience.
Rogers is a mother of 10 children, four of whom have Down syndrome. Having also worked in the Medicaid field, Rogers said she has seen firsthand how existing systems can help some families while leaving others without adequate long-term options.
For families of individuals with disabilities, she said, the concern is not simply about childhood. For many parents, itās a lifelong battle.
āFor anyone that has a child with a disability, this is something that constantly keeps you up at night ā wondering āwhat happens when I canāt do this anymore?āā Rogers said. āFor most people, itās typical for their kids to move out when theyāre 18 ā you hope and pray that they make good choices and youāre there for them ā but for the most part a parentās job is done. For parents with special needs ā itās for the rest of your life.ā
Rogers said Abide Village is designed around one central idea: community.
āBack during my grandparentsā age, you knew your neighborās name and you could go next door and ask for a cup of sugar,ā Rogers said. āToday, we may have 1,000 Facebook friends, but who do you call at 11 oāclock at night when something is happening?ā
Click the link below to continue reading about the eventās silent and live auctions, as well as firsthand accounts that offer insight into the realities of supporting loved ones with disabilities. Also learn more about the call for state representatives to provide specialized resources and help make communities like Abide Village more attainable:
https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/living/2026/08/20/a-village-in-the-making/
š·: Madi Janae Photography
