The Roanoker - November/December 2020 - 20

the gist

Century-Old
Organization
Adopts New Name
EnCircle serves struggling students,
disabled adults and families across Virginia.
IN 1888, a Lutheran pastor from Botetourt County offered up
his Salem-area farm as a place for orphaned children to live. In
the 132 years since, that generous act has exponentially grown
into an organization that helps 1,200 of Virginia's most vulnerable
residents each year, including foster children and adults with
disabilities, and stretches from Bristol to Norfolk.
This fall, the former Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
changed its name and launched a new website and logo in an
effort to reach even more.
EnCircle, as the nonprofit is now known, runs schools for
students not meeting developmental or behavioral goals, provides
an array of services for adults with disabilities, supports foster care
and adoption, offers counseling to children, families and adults,
and in 2018 became one of a network of agencies nationwide that
helps unaccompanied immigrant children find sponsors in the U.S.
"Our mission is to make the world a more loving place," says
enCircle CEO Ray Ratke. "Our goal here is to have a greater
impact on the common good."

20

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

From its roots as an orphanage, enCircle has adapted over the
decades to provide services it sees a need for. Minnick schools
reach students from ages five to 22 who are not thriving in
their public school settings. They are licensed by the Virginia
Department of Education as private day schools and are located
in Harrisonburg, Roanoke, Wytheville, Wise and Bristol.
For the disabled, enCircle runs seven group homes in the
Lynchburg and Roanoke areas. It also offers support for disabled
adults living independently and trains and connects families to
host disabled adults in the families' homes. Additionally, enCircle
provides skilled nursing and therapeutic consultations.
Ratke said part of the motivation behind the name change was
to make clear that the nonprofit's outreach was available to people
of all faiths and beliefs. "We're very proud of our history and our
Lutheran connection," he says. But the organization is "open to
all; we're here for everyone."
The new name also reflects the nonprofit's ability to adapt.
"Part of what we like about 'enCircle' is that a circle can grow,"
Ratke explains. "If there's a need we're looking to provide, we can
expand the circle."
Ratke says that what sets enCircle's 550 staff and caregivers
apart is their commitment to the individuals and families they
help.
"We're trying to change people's lives," he says. "This is not just
transactional; we're not just providing a service. We're really trying
to provide nurturing love and care."
To learn more about enCircle, check out the nonprofit's website:
enCircleAll.org.
-CHRISTINA NIFONG

TheRoanoker.com

COURTESY OF ENCIRCLE

AT LEFT:
Chris (center) lives a
busy life with enCircle
family care provider Anita
Drinkard (right) and her
daughter, Megan. Family
Care Homes are part
of a range of services
provided by enCircle in
the Roanoke Valley and
around Virginia.
http://www.enCircleAll.org http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker - November/December 2020

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