Celebrating 30 Years of Transforming Lives:
Miriam’s House 1994 – 2024
As we close out 2024, we reflect on an incredible milestone—30 years of providing hope, dignity, and transformation to those experiencing homelessness in the Lynchburg community. Since opening our doors in January 1994, Miriam’s House has remained steadfast in the belief that every individual deserves a place to call home and every day since, we have continued to protect and empower our community’s most vulnerable as they rebuild their lives.
A Legacy of Compassion
Miriam’s House was born out of a growing awareness of homelessness in Lynchburg. Thanks to the tireless efforts of visionary leaders like Rev. Bev Cosby and Elizabeth M. Forsyth—and with the support of countless community members—Miriam’s House was formed with a mission to end homelessness and offer hope to those in need.
Rev. Bev Cosby shared a bold and compassionate vision with his congregation in 1992:
"It will be a community of hope in the city for those who’ve come to the end of the road and know not where to turn to take the next step to begin the journey toward wholeness, dignity, and self-esteem."
This vision became the foundation for everything Miriam’s House stands for today. Over the past three decades, the organization has grown from a single idea into a cornerstone of support for countless families and individuals in Central Virginia.
A Commitment to Lasting Change
In 1994, Miriam’s House first welcomed homeless women and children through our doors, providing not just shelter, but the warmth and dignity of a home. Over the past three decades, our mission has remained the same while the scope of our work has grown exponentially
Today, we are proud to lead a community-wide effort—a coalition of community leaders, faith-based groups, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits, all committed to addressing homelessness with compassion and innovation—and we employ a multi-faceted approach, continuing to redefine what it means to support our homeless neighbors.
Community First: Our rapid re-housing program focuses on quickly moving families from homelessness into permanent housing, paired with critical support services to help them maintain stability.
Supportive Housing: This initiative provides intensive, wraparound support to chronically homeless individuals, helping them transition from the streets to stable homes.
CHIA (Coordinated Homeless Intake & Access): Our homeless information line has fielded over 5,000 calls this year alone, assisting individuals in crisis with resources and solutions to prevent or minimize episodes of homelessness.
Stories of Transformation
There are thousands of stories of resilience, courage, and triumph over the last 30 years—each is a testament to the enduring impact of our work. Below are a few of our clients from over the years that we reconnected with this year:
Tiffani’s Journey: Twenty years ago, Tiffani fled domestic violence and arrived at Miriam’s House with her two young daughters. Today, she is a proud homeowner and devoted mother, embodying the enduring impact of Miriam’s House. → learn more on our blog
Aretha’s Triumph: In 2015, Aretha became homeless after the loss of her partner. With support from Miriam’s House, she rebuilt her life, secured employment, and eventually achieved her dream of homeownership. → learn more on our blog
Nichole’s Story: Pregnant and facing homelessness, Nichole turned to Miriam’s House for help in 1995. With our support, she secured stable housing and transformed her life. Today, she is a proud mother of three and works in social services, assisting families in need. → learn more in our video
Denise’s Resilience: Denise never imagined she would face homelessness. After losing her teaching job as a single mother of newborn twins, she turned to Miriam’s House in 1994 for help. With our support, she rebuilt her life, and her twins have gone on to achieve incredible success, both earning full college scholarships. → learn more in our video
Milestones & Celebrations
This year, we marked our 30th anniversary throughout our events that brought our community together:
Coldest Night of the Year: Kicking off our celebrations in February, we honored our roots on Magnolia Street, where our mission began.
Spring Luncheon: In May, we reflected on the incredible progress made over three decades and the collaborative spirit that has defined Miriam’s House.
Home for the Holidays: As the year drew to a close, we came together to ensure that even more families could find the hope and stability of a home now, and for all the seasons to come.
The Power of Community
None of this would have been possible without the collective effort of volunteers, donors, and community partners. From businesses sponsoring events to volunteers dedicating hours of their time, every contribution has played a vital role in fulfilling Rev. Cosby’s vision.
Today, Miriam’s House stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to address one of its most pressing challenges. Together, we have built a legacy of compassion, resilience, and transformation.
Looking Ahead
As we commemorate this milestone anniversary, we remain steadfast in our mission to end homelessness. The journey is far from over, but the progress we’ve made fuels our hope for a future where every individual has a safe place to call home.
As we look toward the future, we invite you to join us in celebrating this legacy and continuing our mission. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about our work, your involvement ensures that Miriam’s House can continue to be "a community of hope" for years to come.