DePaul Expressions Vol XXIV Num1

sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners

Volume XXIV • Number 1 • Spring 2026

IN THIS ISSUE: Giving Vivi a Life She Loves Giving Malachi the Gift of Color

A Bridge to Hope Story

Every day at DePaul, we meet children, families, and individuals who are already carrying more than their share of life’s weight. They are doing everything they can to move forward, yet the support, therapeutic services, or essential equipment they need is often just out of reach. And when insurance says “no,” their challenges grow even heavier. Recently, DePaul’s Bridge to Hope Fund became a lifeline for one of our sponsored residential clients, Stacey. Stacey lives with a

debilitating disability and her world depends on the safety and stability of her bed. But her old electric bed had failing wiring and unpredictable controls. Her air mattress—meant to protect her fragile skin—was wearing thin. Her daughter, who cares for her, lived in constant fear that the bed would fail completely. Without it, safe transfers would be impossible. The risk of injury was real. Insurance refused to help. Because Stacey had not yet developed three pressure injuries and did not live in a nursing home, she did not “qualify.” In other words, she needed to suffer more before they would consider stepping in. Her daughter refused to accept that. DePaul refused to accept that. And thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Bridge to Hope Fund refused to accept that. Today, Stacey has a fully electric bed and a new air mattress—safe, reliable, and life-changing. Her daughter can breathe again. Stacey can rest without fear. And this happened because someone like you cared enough to give.

This is what the Bridge to Hope Fund does. It fills the gaps that no one should have to fall through. It ensures that children, families, and individuals like Stacey receive the equipment, services, and care they desperately need—when every other door has been closed. Without your support, we can’t help children like Malachi whose story is featured on page six of this issue. The Bridge to Hope Fund’s assistance to Malachi and his family changed his life.

Please consider making a gift today to the Bridge to Hope Fund.

❤ $100 will help buy clothing: Many children in foster care arrive with few belongings. Essential items include new underwear, socks, pajamas, and seasonally appropriate clothes. ❤ $30 will help buy hygiene & personal care items: Basic toiletry kits (toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, deodorant) are crucial for young adults that have aged out of foster care and need help and support. ❤ $50 will purchase comfort & safety items: Items that provide comfort, such as stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows, help children in foster care and adoption with the transition into their new home. ❤ $250 will help buy equipment: Items needed for safety and medical needs can improve the lives of individuals like Stacey and Malachi. Your support allows us to keep saying “yes” when it matters most—for children, people, and families who need it.

Giving Vivi a Life She Loves Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by Kylie Hinson Photography

DePaul was Jim’s first call. His daughter, Vivian, was graduating from high school, a place she had found inclusion and community. Jim and his wife, Kelly, were wondering what the next step would be. How would they give Vivian (or Vivi, as they affectionately call her) the same happiness and experiences in this new phase of her life? “You realize it’s coming, but it keeps feeling far away,” said Jim. DePaul’s Sponsored Residential Program helped them answer that question. The program made it possible for Jim to leave his job and become a sponsored provider for his daughter. Vivi has Rett syndrome, which affects her motor skills and her ability to communicate. When Vivi was diagnosed at the age of 4, Jim and Kelly made it their mission to give her a full life with as few limitations as possible. “We do what we can to keep her strength, to keep her moving,” said Jim. Vivi loves smiling and socializing, listening to music, riding her adaptive bike, swimming, and

riding horses. Most mornings you can find Jim and Vivi at their local YMCA. Some days she rides her favorite horse, Snoopy, at Mesa Vista Therapeutics. Some days she volunteers. On Wednesdays, she attends a music class. And some days, you’ll find her at one of the engaging events hosted by Jacob’s Chance. Jim and Kelly’s fear that their daughter would lose her light once school ended has faded. They have built a new community around Vivi where she is welcomed, included, and supported. “My hopes and dreams are that she remains happy and healthy and has the opportunity to do things she loves every day,” said Jim. This new routine does take work. It has been an adjustment for Jim to transition from his former full-time career to being a full-time caregiver. But adjusting and adapting has resulted in a newfound appreciation for the small things, a recognition of all the little moments that make up Vivi’s life. “The best part is the time we spend together, not only time but true quality time,” said Jim. “I just want Vivi to look forward to life.”

“My hopes and dreams are that she remains happy and healthy and has the opportunity to do things she loves every day.”

— JIM

4 | SPRING 2026

Giving Malachi the Gift of Color Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by Whitney Showalter Photography

Imagine a childhood without color. You love play ing soccer, but your soccer ball blends in with the grass. You go to school, but your assignments are hard to read. You love being outside and exploring the world around you but most of that world exists in shades of greens and grays. This was 9-year-old Malachi’s reality until his parents found corrective glasses, and DePaul’s Bridge to Hope Fund helped them cover the cost. “We were very concerned about how this challenge might impact our family and Malachi’s future,” said Keigan, Malachi’s father. “We were very excited and grateful to learn that DePaul could help us and offset a large portion of that necessary cost. That gives us more room to be able to focus on what Malachi needs and not worry about the cost of treatment.” Keigan and his wife, Micaela, adopted Malachi several years ago. Their decision to become foster parents and then adoptive parents was driven by their shared belief that no child should live without safety, stability, and love.

“When you have a heart to help children and see one in need, it makes the decision easier,” said Micaela. “We have been able to share the love that God has shown to us.” Since becoming part of their family, Malachi is more outgoing, independent, and more secure. He’s also a big brother now to two siblings. Through DePaul’s Post-Adoption Program, the family has grown stronger and found a supportive community. “To see how far he’s come is nothing short of a miracle,” said Keigan. “To look back and see our family after this journey is such a blessing and a gift.” After years of overcoming obstacles together, Keigan and Micaela were heartbroken to find out that Malachi was struggling with color-blindness. Through testing, they found a path to treatment and a pair of corrective glasses. But it came at a significant cost. When DePaul heard about Malachi’s need, it stepped in with financial assistance through the Bridge to Hope Fund. Now the family’s world has one less worry and a lot more color. “These glasses have truly changed his life,” said Keigan.

“These glasses have truly changed his life.”

— KEIGAN

7 | SPRING 2026

Your Impact at DePaul

The E. C. Wareheim Foundation supports Independent Living (IL) programs at DePaul Community Resources in a big way! Thank you to the E. C. Wareheim Foundation for a life-changing grant this year supporting all three of DePaul’s Independent Living programs. This grant helps our young adults that aged out of foster care pursue driver’s education, obtain licenses, and take steps toward saving for their first cars—all critical milestones on the path to independence. It also helps our young adults enroll in community college, giving them the tools to pursue their goals with confidence. And sometimes, it’s the small things that leave the biggest mark—carving pumpkins together, picking out clothes for a special event, or simply feeling like they belong. This grant makes those moments possible. It helps our young people feel seen, supported, and accepted in ways they may never have experienced before.

The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia and the Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund We are grateful to the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia for their support of DePaul’s Community-Based Counseling Services program in Roanoke through the Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund. Their generous grant funding is providing healing experiences and alleviating mental health issues for at-risk youth and families in the Roanoke Valley. These funds support animal-assisted therapy for youth and families when they cannot access or afford therapy due to lack of Medicaid, insurance coverage, or other barriers. Our animal-assisted therapy includes counseling sessions with our certified therapy dog, Daisy, and her owner, Kim, a licensed clinical social worker at DePaul. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact animal-assisted therapy can have, especially with children and clients with complex trauma,” said Kim. “There are clients who ask for Daisy the minute they walk in. I have children and young adults that have only opened up to me about their trauma while petting and looking at Daisy.”

The C.E. Richardson Foundation and the Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation We are grateful to both the Al Stroobants Foundation for their Both foundations granted DePaul funds to support children and families in Southwest Virginia through our annual adoption family camp event. Every year, our team of adoption specialists organizes a camp day that brings together adoptive families from across our service area for engaging activities and connecting with one another in a relaxing, therapeutic setting. DePaul’s adoption camp provides a positive experience that encourages deeper family connections, creates a support network for adoptive families, and enhances the stability of newly formed families. One of our families states: “We love getting the kids together with other adoptive families in a safe and less restrictive environment. The family camp day is our favorite activity of the year.” In 2025, our camp successfully supported 37 adoptive families, including 105 youth and 62 adults for a total of 167 people in attendance. This funding will help our team grow the camp event and serve even more families at this summer’s 2026 camp.

To make a gift to DePaul, please scan this QR code.