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

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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.

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.

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg House of Mercy

Oct 27, 2025 | Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Spotlight: Williamsburg House of Mercy

By: WHF Staff

After 41 years as a Sisters of Mercy school teacher, Sister Mary Berenice Eltz decided to shift her focus to serve people with low incomes and experiencing hardship. As a parish minister for the St. Olaf and St. Bede communities, she touched the lives of many people in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her legacies of dedication and service to individuals and families in need continue today at the Williamsburg House of Mercy.

Williamsburg House of Mercy (WHOM), located in the heart of Williamsburg, believes mercy is a verb. Specifically, mercy is an action that gives comfort and hope to people who are experiencing hardship. Their focus includes addressing food insecurity, providing Outreach Financial Assistance, managing the Harbor Day Shelter, and operating the Hope Pregnancy Center. These services impact the lives of many of the approximately 14% of Greater Williamsburg residents living below the poverty line and the 28% – 35% of households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Healthy People 2030 aims to improve health by promoting healthy eating and increasing access to nutritious foods. Following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which promotes a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help individuals maintain good health. On the other hand, food insecurity can have significant impacts on a person’s long-term health and is associated with diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. According to WHOM’s latest Impact Report, they helped improve access to nutritious foods and combat food insecurity in Greater Williamsburg by providing meals to more than 2,400 households and serving nearly 10,300 meals at the Community Kitchen.

Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) Support

Williamsburg House of Mercy’s focus on food insecurity aligns with WHF’s strategic plan. The weekday community kitchen and food distribution programs contribute to the Foundation’s vision of individuals making healthy choices in a community with health opportunities for all. The Foundation has supported WHOM’s mission through 17 grants totaling $256,000 since 2016. To learn more about WHOM’s service to the community, please visit their website https://williamsburghouseofmercy.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.