Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes Mitchell F. Harry to the Board of Trustees

Jan 23, 2026 | News

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes Mitchell F. Harry to the Board of Trustees

By: WHF Staff

WILLIAMSBURG, VA– The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mitchell F. Harry to the Board of Trustees.

Mitchell is Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management Director, and Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley. A graduate of the University of Virginia with dual degrees in Economics and Government, he brings expertise in financial strategy, market analysis, and long-term planning.

His professional perspective is shaped by both academic training and hands-on experience, including a background in business operations and succession planning. Based in Williamsburg, Harry is actively engaged in the local community and serves on the board of the Rotary Club of The Historic Triangle.

“We are pleased to welcome Mitchell Harry to the Board of Trustees,” said Deanna Van Hersh, WHF President and CEO. “His professional expertise and community engagement will be valuable assets in contributing to oversight of the Foundation’s asset allocation and advancing our mission to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg.”

To learn more about WHF, visit williamsburghealthfoundation.org

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is an independent private health foundation with the mission to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $119 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Honoring 21 Years of Service: Celebrating Shelby Boltz

Jan 9, 2026 | News

Honoring 21 Years of Service: Celebrating Shelby Boltz

By: WHF Staff

It is with both gratitude and a touch of bittersweetness that we announce the retirement of Shelby Boltz from the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF). After more than two decades of dedicated service, Shelby leaves a legacy that has shaped the Foundation’s work and strengthened our community’s health.

Shelby joined WHF on October 4, 2004, and over the course of her 21-year tenure, became a trusted and steady presence across nearly every area of the organization. From operations and administration to governance, grantmaking, and public engagement, her work has consistently supported the Foundation’s mission and has made a lasting impact.

Shelby’s service has included:

- More than 5,550 workdays
- Collaboration with every member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2004
- Significant contributions to 85 Foundation Board meetings, in addition to hundreds of committee meetings
- Review of 2,271 grant applications
- Oversight of 1,842 grants, totaling nearly $106 million invested in health and well-being across the Greater Williamsburg community.

Beyond these numbers, Shelby’s education, experience, and skill have consistently elevated the quality of the WHF’s work. She is known for her integrity, humility, discretion, wisdom, kindness, and genuine positivity. Her deep institutional knowledge and careful attention to detail have been invaluable as the Foundation has evolved throughout the years, and her sense of humor, stories, and passion for sports brought warmth to the workplace.

While Shelby prefers little fanfare, her retirement marks a meaningful milestone for the Board and Staff alike. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside someone whose presence will be deeply missed. As Shelby begins her next chapter, we wish her happiness, fulfillment, and many new adventures.

Shelby’s contributions have left a lasting mark on the Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg community. We invite colleagues and friends to join us in celebrating Shelby’s remarkable career and to share their appreciation and best wishes for her retirement. It has truly been an honor to work with her, and she will be missed.

WHF is an independent private health foundation with the mission to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $119 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight: Triangle Stepping Stones

Jan 5, 2026 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Triangle Stepping Stones

By: WHF Staff

Tucked off the intersection of Route 199 and Jamestown Road in Williamsburg, Triangle Stepping Stones offers a welcoming space for 12-Step recovery groups to gather. Nearly 25 meetings are hosted in their facility each week to address a range of recovery needs across the community. For individuals seeking support throughout their recovery journeys, this space serves as a refuge and a place to gather, where one can find connection and hope as they share their experiences and heal alongside others facing similar challenges.

Substance Use Disorders are characterized by impairment (including health, functional, and/or social issues) caused by repeated use of alcohol or other drugs. A 2023 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 19.1% of Americans aged 12+ met the criteria for needing treatment within the previous year. Local concerns mirror these trends. Residents from Williamsburg, James City County, and York County identified alcohol addiction and illicit drug use as the primary community health concern for adults in the Hampton and Peninsula Health Department’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining accessible, community-based recovery supports.

Ensuring Accessible Recovery Support

Evidence reveals that Alcoholics Anonymous provides effective recovery support, performing as well as clinical treatment in the short term and often leading to better long-term outcomes. For those benefits to reach everyone who seeks support, people need to be able to enter and move through the space with ease. Triangle Stepping Stones recently purchased the building they had been renting since 2012. After the purchase, their board determined that upgrades were needed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Many attendees rely on mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs, so planned renovations include an entrance ramp, widened doorways, a fully accessible restroom, and paved parking lots for safer access. Improving physical accessibility strengthens the reach of recovery support and reduces barriers for community members who rely on peer-based programs.

Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) Support

The aim of Triangle Stepping Stones to provide a safe space for 12-Step groups to hold healing and supportive meetings for individuals seeking help with recovery aligns with WHF’s strategic focus. Their work contributes to the Foundation’s efforts to increase access to care and supportive services. The Foundation has contributed to Triangle Stepping Stones’ mission through two grants totaling $86,960 since 2025. To learn more about Triangle Stepping Stones, please visit their website https://trianglesteppingstones.com/.

WHF is an independent private health foundation with the mission to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $119 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Faith in Action

Dec 1, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg Faith in Action

By: WHF Staff

For many older adults, staying independent and living in their own homes is a high priority, but without the support of nearby family or friends, aging in place can be challenging. In Greater Williamsburg, where one in five older adults lives alone, Williamsburg Faith in Action (WFIA) fills the gap for those without family nearby. WFIA makes aging in place more accessible by pairing volunteers with eligible older adults aged 60 and older to provide support services for transportation, household and yard chores, and social engagement.

Transportation Services

Transportation is WFIA’s most frequently used service, accounting for nearly 70% of all client requests. Trained volunteers take recipients to non-emergency medical appointments, legal services, the grocery store, or local errands. Along with a ride, volunteers offer social connections and build relationships with their care receivers. In 2024, WFIA’s 132 dedicated volunteers provided over 2,100 rides to 131 individuals.

In-Home Support Services

Through the In-Home Support Services Program, WFIA connects volunteers with care receivers who need a helping hand with daily tasks. These in-home supports range from food deliveries to helping to rake leaves in the fall. In 2024, WFIA’s volunteers provided 2,199 in-home support services to 126 older adults across Greater Williamsburg. These supports enable our older friends and neighbors to safely live independently.

Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) Support

Williamsburg Faith in Action’s focus on service to older adults aligns with WHF’s strategic plan. Their transportation and in-home support services contribute to the Foundation’s goal of targeting behavioral and social risk factors that influence the health of individuals throughout the life span. The Foundation has supported WFIA’s mission through 50 grants totaling $1.13 million since 2002. To learn more about WFIA’s service to older adults in the Greater Williamsburg community, please visit their website https://wfia.org/.

WHF is an independent private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $116 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $130,000 in Response to Increased Need

Dec 1, 2025 | News

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards $130,000 in Response to Increased Need

WILLIAMSBURG, VA – November 24, 2025: The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) has approved $130,000 in support for eight nonprofit organizations to address an increase in demand for assistance, primarily food. This funding supports organizations that provide access to nutritious food and essential resources to families and individuals experiencing difficulties.

FISH
Grove Christian Outreach Center
Salvation Army of Williamsburg
THRIVE Peninsula
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank
Williamsburg House of Mercy
Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency (WJCC-CAA)

“Community partners have shared the significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance, more than 30% in some cases, as families struggle to keep food on the table this fall,” said Deanna Van Hersh, President and CEO of Williamsburg Health Foundation. “These funds are a way to meet the moment in addressing rising needs as we head into the holiday season.”

To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.williamsburghealthfoundation.org.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is a private health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $116 million in grants to improve community health and well-being.