Botetourt Resource Center, Inc.

  The mission of the Botetourt Resource Center, Inc. is to connect the residents of Botetourt County, Virginia to needed human resources through information, advocacy and referral and to provide programs and services to the community to address those needs.  Our services are provided at no cost to residents.

 HISTORY OF THE BRC,INC.

   In 1999 the Council of Community Services, viewed as a “neutral” organization, was approached by Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, the LOA /Local Office on Aging and Total Action Against Poverty to facilitate the development of a resource center to meet the needs of residents in northern Botetourt County since many could not travel to Fincastle or Roanoke for services. In 2000 the Council was awarded a venture grant through United Way of Roanoke Valley to establish the Buchanan Resource Center (BRC) under their umbrella as a 501c3 agency program. That year a Director and only staff, Robyn Dobyns, was hired to create the Center. In 2004 the name was changed to the Botetourt Resource Center to accurately reflect the mission of providing advocacy, information and referral to needed resources for all Botetourt residents.  During the past eighteen years the Center has housed programs and services of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, Family Service of the Roanoke Valley, the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts of America, LOA/Local Office on Aging, and Botetourt Parks and Recreation in addition to connecting residents to a multitude of resource partners in the Roanoke Valley. The Botetourt Resource Center was recognized as a National “Faith in Action” program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  

   On September 23, 2014, the Botetourt Resource Center, Inc. became a stand-alone 501c3 agency. For over nineteen years  and with the support of the Town of Buchanan, Town of Troutville, churches, civic organizations, Botetourt County, The Fincastle Herald, businesses, non-profit agencies, and individuals, the BRC,Inc. has been a valuable hub which has connected over 22,000 calls for assistance to needed resources as well as providing programs to help families and older adults.  Robyn Dobyns retired from this blessed journey in July of 2018 and continues as a volunteer consultant. The BRC,Inc. Board of Directors welcomed Melissa Lucas as its new President and CEO.

 PARTNERSHIPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

With 90% of the clients served by the Botetourt Resource Center living at or below the poverty level and on fixed incomes, the Center is a vital hub for crisis communication and screening, delivery of crisis response, and a coordinator and provider of services to meet every day needs of local residents. Civic organizations, church groups, companies, foundations, businesses, and others rely on the integrity and professionalism of the BRC, Inc. and partner with the BRC to do “good works” in Botetourt County. 

     Botetourt Resource Center, Inc.     “Together We Make a Difference”

Accomplishments of the Botetourt Resource Center July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020

*** During this 2019-2020 fiscal year, the BRC case-managed 180+ households in Botetourt County to respond to requests for assistance, information advocacy, referral and services.

 1. The BRC, Inc. was awarded $30,000The BRC, Inc. was awarded $30,000.00   from the Mary Louise Home Fund for by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia (CFSWVA) to support the Center’s programs for older adults.

     2.  Tenth fiscal year for the only non-profit and county-wide crisis fuel fund in Botetourt County called the Botetourt Resource Center Interfaith Crisis Fundunder the non-profit status of Mill Creek Baptist Church and in partnership with 25+ churches.  Funds spent this year = $2,924.75 on helping 31 households with fuel assistance and free firewood delivery to seniors.  In addition to this assistance, 30 senior homes were helped with $8,685.75 in fuel assistance from a CFSWVA Grant.  Total fuel assistance through the BRC, Inc. = $11,610.50.

 3.   Senior Prescription Assistance Program – funded by the CFSWVA and in partnership with Ransone’s Drug Store spent $1,000.00 on helping seniors make 30 visits for assistance with ongoing copayments.

 4.   Continued the first and only Senior Dental Assistance Project in Botetourt County to give 8 seniors free cleanings, x-rays and extractions, fillings and resurfacing of teeth.  This program was possible this fiscal year from the CFSWVA with funds of $2,476.90.  A total of $15,751.90 has helped 65 seniors who otherwise could not afford dental services.

 5.   Delivery of 25 loads of Free firewood to 10 senior homes through partnership with Mill Creek Baptist Church volunteers throughout the winter months.  BRC Food Pantry partnership with other Botetourt Food Pantries and private donations.  BRC Clothes Closet partnership with Cloverdale Church of the Brethren Women’s Heaven Sent Thrift Shop, Solomon’s Mission and private donations.  The BRC, Inc. and Solomon’s Mission held a Coat Drive with donations taken through the public and new coats donated by the Knights of Columbus Council 12134. A total of 266 coats.

 6.   Coordinated Christmas adoptions by Cloverdale Church of the Brethren, Daleville St. Mark’s United Methodist, Zion Hill Baptist, Several Eagle Rock Churches, Mill Creek Baptist Church Sunday School Class, Dollar General Market, 2 Botetourt businesses and the BRC, Inc. with $1,500.00 on food and gifts for 19 children and 10 seniors in 16 families.

 7.  In partnership with the                Local Office on  Aging               (LOA), the BRC,  received 65        Soup and Food Bags for              Seniors  and in April 2020,          the BRC,Inc. became a                distribution site for 8                    Seniors in Botetourt to                receive a monthly Food              Box  through Feeding                  America Southwest VA               (Commodity Supplemental          Food Program).

 8.  Recreation for Seniors, due        to the Coronavirus                      Pandemic, Senior Bingo              and monthly Parties,                    Aerobics classes and Game        Days were all suspended in         mid-March.

      In June a Drive-thru Ice                 Cream social was held                outside, and in collaboration with Solomon's Mission, the BRC,Inc. provided several games of Bingo and prizes during Solomon's Senior Valentine Luncheon.

9.    Facilitated Basic Needs Assistance to Seniors through fuel assistance, other bill assistance, home supplies, recreation, prescription assistance, medical assistance, dental assistance, home repair, etc. (not including the value of free firewood, clothing and food) with $37,334.86 funds spent from a CFSWVA grant. In addition, a donation from TheAngel Charitable Fund, $1,000.00 was used to purchase shoe vouchers at Super Shoes for 20 seniors in our community.

10. Disbursed $51,187.48 in helping needy individuals and families in Botetourt County (not including the value of distributing food, household supplies, clothing, appliances, etc.)

 *** In addition to all the support partnerships mentioned above, we wish to thank these groups for their generosity: Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, Botetourt County Social Services, Lawrence Companies, The Angel Charitable Fund, Solomon’s Mission, BAMA (Buchanan Area Ministerial Association), The Knights of Columbus, Council 12134, New River Electrical Corporation, Daleville/Fincastle/Troutville Lions Club, Farm Credit of the Virginias, BRC Night Aerobics Group, Benevity from Apple Corporation employees and many generous individual donors and church congregations.

*** The BRC, Inc. raises all expenses for Budget of $76,800and programs through county, private and public donations, grants and fundraisers. The BRC, Inc. receives in-kind services from the Town of Buchanan and the Town of Troutville. If interested in making a tax-deductible donation, please send to the Botetourt Resource Center, Inc., P.O. Box 153, Buchanan, VA 24066. Additional information will be supplied by calling the BRC at (540)254-1468. Please visit us on our website at www.botetourtresourcecenter.com.  Thank you for your support!  Together we make a difference!