The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist, Inc. (The Home, formally known as the “Virginia Negro Baptist Children’s Home”) was founded in 1947 by Dr. Charles S. Dodd as an orphanage for Black Children. Dr Dodd’s inspiration came from two pivotal events – a promise he made to his wife and a call he responded to at the Petersburg Hospital. The patient was a homeless, black child who had been found by a Petersburg police officer. Dr. Dodd began the difficult journey to get a home started. Dr. Dodd committed to give the first financial donation ($5000.00) and enlisted the support of his pastor, some of his close friends, and several of the Baptist Associations/Conventions in the state of Virginia to do the same. This effort resulted in a commitment from these individuals and groups that produced the first $30,000.00 needed to get The Home started. The Home received its certificate of Incorporation in 1947 as a result of the efforts of Dr. M. Jackson White and two committees he chaired.

The Home was originally operated under the authority of a Board of Trustees appointed by the Baptist General Association, the Baptist General Convention, and the Virginia Baptist State Convention. Today, the Baptist State Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Virginia appoints members of the Board of Trustees. The Home continues to receive support from many individuals, churches, clubs and organizations across the State of Virginia.

The Home is located on 265 acres of land, formally known as the Jackson Farm, in Chesterfield County. The Home officially opened and received its first nine children on December 7, 1947. The Home provided the experience of home living for all children regardless of race, creed or color that they might become grounded, well rounded, productive, contributing members of society. The Home sought to provide the children in its care with the educational, social, cultural and religious opportunity afforded to other children. This was accomplished through a full program of church, school and community activities.

Since 1948, the capacity and landscape of the Home has changed. In 1951, a boy’s dormitory, equipped to house 20 boys, was completed and named the Pauline F. Dodd Building, in memory of the wife of Dr. Charles S. Dodd. In 1955, Mr. Craddock J. Nunnally completed construction of a girl’s dormitory that was also equipped to house 20 girls and was named Jones Hall. The Home now have capacity to house up to forty children, and the minimum age of admission was changed from 3 years old to 24 months (2 years old). Later a residence hall, The Robert’s Building, was constructed to accommodate teenage boys. Jones Cottage (Jones Hall) now functions as the counseling center for children and family services. In 1971, the L.C. Johnson Building, named for Reverend L.C. Johnson, a member of an earlier Board of Trustee was opened to house teenage girls. In 1981, to meet space licensing requirements, the Mack Cottage, named for Mrs. Janice Mack, Director of the Home (1972-2000) was opened for boys.

In 1999, the Ritchie Multi-purpose Building, named for the contributions of Mr. J.S. Ritchie and his family, was opened to address and support the challenging needs of the residents of the Home and the surrounding community. Today, the Home’s physical layout consists of the director’s home, an administrative and multi-purpose building, three cottages, two fishing ponds, an enclosed recreation area for young children, one open recreational area for older children, a baseball field, a picnic shelter, a trade shop and a Boy Scout Hut.

Presently the Home is under the direction of Dr. Jean R. Cobbs who began her tenure in 2006. She is working with the Board of Trustees to make certain that the Children's Home of Virginia Baptist (CHVB) achieves residential care licensure by the State Department of Social Services. She has led us to initiate a Summer Enrichment Program and an After School Ministry that served more than 80 Children this year. 

From 1948 until today, many children have been cared for – some for only a few days, others for months and still more for years – through the efforts and resources provided by the Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist. The Home is currently maintained by the collaborative efforts of many as it continues to receive support from a diverse number of groups, conventions, churches, associations, missionary societies, community leaders, and private citizens. The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist, Inc. stands as true testament to “we are more than me” what we can accomplish when we work together for the good of others and our community is far more than what we could ever accomplish on our own.