Blue Ridge Haven: A Faith-Centered Vision for Adults with Autism and Autism Families
Our Story
A Community Built
by a Community.
Founded
With Purpose & Prayer
How It Began
We looked for a place like this. It didn't exist. So we decided to build it.
Blue Ridge Haven was born from a simple, desperate longing — the kind that only autism families know. The longing for a place where you don't have to explain your child. Where the environment is designed for them, not just tolerated. Where your family can rest without apology.
After years of searching for that place and coming up empty, Joshua Daniel and Sarah Jane Pratt of Lynchburg, VA felt a clear call: if this place doesn't exist, we are supposed to build it. Rooted in their Christian faith and fueled by the needs of families like their own, Blue Ridge Haven was born — a planned faith-centered residential, retreat, respite, and life-skills community for autism families, caregivers, and adults with autism in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.
We are still in the early stages — raising funds, securing land, and building the community of partners who will make this vision real. But we believe with everything in us that this place is needed, and that God will provide what is required to build it.
Mission & Vision
What we believe. What we're building.
Our Mission
Blue Ridge Haven Foundation is organized to serve individuals and families affected by autism, developmental disabilities, and caregiver fatigue by providing respite care, family support, educational and life-skills programming, faith-based retreat opportunities, and a residential village where adults with autism may experience belonging, meaningful work, purpose, and hope.
Our Vision
We envision Blue Ridge Haven as a Christ-centered haven in the Blue Ridge Mountains where retreat, respite, residential community, and sustainable mission enterprise come together so families touched by autism and developmental disabilities are no longer alone, caregivers are strengthened, Christians serve with compassion and faithfulness, and adults with autism flourish in a community of faith, belonging, meaningful work, purpose, and hope.
""He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
— Isaiah 40:29
What We Stand For
Our core values
Rooted in Faith
We are a Christian nonprofit, and our faith shapes everything — from how we welcome families to how we serve them. We believe every person is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and love.
Built for Belonging
Autism families often feel invisible in public spaces. Blue Ridge Haven is designed from the ground up to be a place where every child is welcomed, every parent can exhale, and every family knows they belong.
Committed to Rest
We are not a therapy program or a clinical intervention. We are a place of rest. Our goal is simple: give families the space to breathe, reconnect, and be restored — body, mind, and spirit.
Powered by Community
Blue Ridge Haven is built by a community of donors, volunteers, churches, and partners who believe in this mission. We are stronger together, and every act of generosity — large or small — moves us forward.
The People Behind the Mission
Leadership & Advisory Team
Founders
Joshua Daniel Pratt
Founder & Operations Manager
Joshua Daniel Pratt of Lynchburg, VA is a founder of Blue Ridge Haven, overseeing the day-to-day development of the mission, organizational infrastructure, and the vision for what the Haven will become. Learn more at joshuadanielpratt.com.
joshuadanielpratt.com ↗Sarah Jane Pratt
Founder, Business Administrator & Secretary
Sarah Jane Pratt of Lynchburg, VA is a founder of Blue Ridge Haven, managing organizational records, administration, and the business foundation that supports the mission. The Pratts also lead Mission Capital Solutions, a resource for faith-based organizations.
missioncapitalsolutions.com ↗Board of Directors
Pastor Nigel Alleyne
Board Chair
With 37 years of ministry experience spanning camps, nonprofits, and board leadership, Pastor Nigel brings deep spiritual wisdom and organizational expertise to Blue Ridge Haven as Board Chair.
Additional board members
being confirmed — more to come.
Advisory Board & Development Team
Meghan Moats
Advisory Board — Special Needs Advocate & Governmental Liaison
Meghan is a special needs advocate and governmental liaison who advises Blue Ridge Haven on policy, advocacy, and navigating the systems that serve individuals and families with disabilities.
Clark Robins
Advisory Board — Vocational Training & Special Education
Clark brings 25 years of experience in public education specializing in special needs and vocational training. He guides Blue Ridge Haven's vocational programming and educational design for adults with autism.
Dekota Bell
Advisory Board — Young Adults with Autism Advocate
Dekota is a passionate advocate for young adults with autism, bringing lived experience and community insight to Blue Ridge Haven's programming and long-term vision for adult residential and vocational opportunities.
George Caylor
Donor Relationships & Development
George serves Blue Ridge Haven in donor relationships and development, helping build the community of partners and supporters who are investing in the mission from the ground up.
Johnny Lester
Advisory Board — Farm, Ranch & Equine Development
With over 50 years of experience in equine stewardship and ranch-based horse care, Johnny advises Blue Ridge Haven on farm and ranch development, livestock operations, and the therapeutic and vocational potential of horses and land-based programming for individuals with autism.
Additional advisors
being confirmed — more to come.
Join the Mission
You can be part of building this haven.
Whether you give, serve, pray, or simply share our story — every act of partnership matters. Together, we can build a place where autism families can finally rest.