ABOUT COVENANT WOODS | A LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVING GREATER RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
Supporting wellness and purposeful living for 140 years
In 2020, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) granted Covenant Woods its third consecutive five-year accreditation. Less than 10 percent of all Life Plan Communities (also known as continuing care retirement communities) are CARF-accredited, making this honor the gold standard in the senior living industry.
“Our 140-year mission to serve elders was – and still is – revolutionary. Our values continue to resonate with Virginians. We foster a community where residents, staff, volunteers, and community partners collaborate to support successful aging, engagement, fellowship, and purposeful living.”
— Thom Wright, Covenant Woods President and CEO
Inspired. Forward-looking. This is the history of Covenant Woods.
With roots reaching back 140 years, the history of Covenant Woods includes a series of groundbreaking decisions, events, expansions, and innovative additions that have created the modern Life Plan Community we are today.
1883
A small group of representatives from Richmond’s Methodist and Presbyterian churches founded The Richmond Home for Ladies. They purchased a home on North 7th Street and, by the end of the year, seven ladies lived in the home.
1913
The Richmond Home for Ladies moved from its original location to 2620 Stuart Avenue in Richmond’s far west end. In 1914, 30 ladies moved in.
1987
The 25-member, all-male Board of Directors and the 48-member Board of Lady Managers consolidated into one 18-member group. The Board of Lady Managers became The Guild, which still serves today.
1997
Property on Lee-Davis Road in Mechanicsville was purchased to build a new community that would be named Covenant Woods.
1999
Groundbreaking on the new 22-acre campus took place on July 7, 1999.
2001
Thirty-six ladies, aged 73 to 104, move into The Manor at Covenant Woods. New residents, both male and female, were added. Eight standing committees were formed.
2002
Woodworking and gardening interest groups began.
The campus choral group and a library were created.
2004
Residents’ Council committees for health and wellness; landscaping; and pond and trails became more active.
The first vegetable garden plots were created, later becoming The Williamsburg Garden.
Groundbreaking was held for The Manor Expansion.
2006
A fire delayed progress on The Manor expansion.
The community library opened in a new, dedicated location.
2007
Residents moved into the Manor expansion apartments, now called Manor West.
2008
2009
Additional property was purchased, bringing the campus to 75 acres.
The Board of Directors accepted the Resident Council president as a non-voting member.
The Jack and Elizabeth Taylor Art Gallery was dedicated.
The Irby Fountain Courtyard opened.
2011
Covenant Woods celebrated 10 years in Hanover County. At that time, the community included 104 apartments and 29 cottages.
2012
The Board announced plans for a $78M expansion to meet the changing needs of seniors who enjoy an active lifestyle. The expansion would add The Lodge and nearly double the size of Covenant Woods, adding 84 additional apartments and 22 new cottages.
Groundbreaking was held for The Lodge.
2014
The Lodge opened, and residents began moving in.
2015
Covenant Woods purchased an additional 10 acres, completing its ownership of land around the pond.
2016
Groundbreaking was held for Manor East (health care) expansion.
The Spring project began with Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture students.
2017
The campus farm was created with an initial area of 4,000 square feet.
Renovation of the cottages originally built in 2001 began with four new floor plans introduced.
2018
Manor East expansion was completed.
2022
The campus farm expanded to 10,000 square feet.
Covenant Woods awarded 2022 “Best of Virginia” title for central Virginia retirement communities by readers of Virginia Living.
2023
Farm-to-Table program and campus farm featured on PBS/VPM series “Virginia Home Grown”.
Covenant Woods awarded 2023 “Best of Virginia” title for central Virginia retirement communities by readers of Virginia Living.
Guided by our vision, mission, and values
Our Vision
Wellness through Purposeful Living.
Our Mission
To provide exceptional health care, quality of life, security, and comfort where all can thrive, in keeping with the benevolent vision of our founders of faith in 1883.
Our Core Values
Wholeness of Life.
Covenant Woods recognizes the life and inherent worth of each person and helps each individual to experience dignity and the greatest level of his or her emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and vocational ability.
Equality.
Covenant Woods recognizes the equality of all persons in its offering of services and opportunities for serving and strives to develop and balance societal resources to accomplish this value.
Quality of Service.
Covenant Woods seeks to deliver services of the highest quality possible by demonstrating competence, continuous improvement, innovation, and creativity.
Integrity.
Covenant Woods values and demonstrates honesty, integrity, fairness, and trustworthiness in all its relationships.
Stewardship of Resources.
Covenant Woods exercises stewardship of its financial resources, benevolent funds, and physical assets, assuring our commitment to provide for present and future residents.
Meet the Leadership Team
See the people who work every day to bring Covenant Woods’ vision to life for current residents and ensure its sound future for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Life Plan Community?
Life Plan Communities offer independent living for adults age 62+ and a comprehensive range of healthcare services such as assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing care, that are available to residents on a short- or long-term basis as needed. As a not-for-profit community, Covenant Woods’ Lifecare contract also provides guaranteed, priority access to on-site healthcare services for the life of the resident.
What are the benefits of choosing a not-for-profit community?
- All profits are reinvested into the community for the benefit of current and future residents, not shareholders.
- There is no profit motive to raise monthly fees.
- Lower operating costs.
- Direction by a dedicated, volunteer board of directors.
- The organization may provide support to residents who outlive their financial resources or who face financial hardship through no fault of their own.
Will I have a voice in this community?
Covenant Woods gives residents the opportunity to join committees focused on different aspects of community life, and to participate on the community’s Resident Council, something only the best senior living communities offer.
SHARE YOUR TALENTS
Covenant Woods offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. From assisting with activities or leading classes to serving as a dietary aide in Manor East, volunteers serve a vital role in our community.
DO WORK THAT MATTERS
A career at Covenant Woods is more than just a job. It’s a fulfilling opportunity to make a difference in the life of each resident. Plus, it comes with some pretty great benefits.
GIVE FROM THE HEART
As a not-for-profit organization, we maintain the highest standards of stewardship. Your gift will not only benefit those who live on our campus but also seniors who live in our local community.