Phase 1 Vision — Blue Ridge Haven Development Plans
Development Plans & Progress
Phase 1 Vision
From a dream on paper to a haven in the mountains — here is what we are building and how we are getting there.
Where We Are Now
We are in the early stages of building something that has never existed before.
Blue Ridge Haven is currently in its founding and fundraising phase. We are actively working to secure land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, build our founding donor community, and lay the organizational foundation that will carry this mission forward.
Phase 1 is focused on acquiring land and building the first set of facilities that will allow us to welcome our first families. Every dollar raised in this phase goes directly toward making that day possible.
What We Are Building
Phase 1 Facilities
20–50
Acres of Mountain Land
We are seeking 20–50 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains — land with natural beauty, privacy, accessibility, and the space to build a full retreat campus over time.
4
12-Person Retreat Cabins
Four fully equipped 12-person cabins designed for overnight family retreats, church groups, camp programs, and leadership gatherings. Sensory-considerate design throughout.
6
Tiny Houses for Partners
Six tiny houses offering peaceful lodging for donors, ministry partners, and supporters who want to visit the Haven, rest, and see the mission they are helping build.
10
Full-Hookup RV Spaces
Ten full-hookup RV spaces for travelers, families, and supporters who want to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains while being connected to a mission-centered community.
Multiple
Outdoor Activity Areas
Sensory-friendly outdoor spaces including nature trails, open meadows, a fishing pond, fire pit gathering areas, and accessible outdoor programming zones.
1
Welcome & Program Center
A central welcome and program center for family check-in, group gatherings, meals, worship, teaching, and community events — the heart of the Haven campus.
1
Community Barn
A large multi-purpose barn for group gatherings, family events, camp programs, worship nights, and community celebrations — a warm, rustic centerpiece of the Haven property.
Multiple
Horse & Livestock Pens
Horse and livestock facilities offering therapeutic animal interaction for children and adults with autism, as well as agricultural education and meaningful work opportunities for residents.
Multiple
Plant Nursery & Hoop Houses
A working plant nursery with hoop houses providing vocational training, therapeutic horticulture, and sustainable food production — giving adults with autism meaningful, structured work in a peaceful outdoor setting.
1
Wood Working Shop
A fully equipped woodworking shop where adults with autism can learn a skilled trade, create handcrafted goods, and develop confidence through purposeful, hands-on work in a structured and supportive environment.
1
Pottery Barn
A dedicated pottery and ceramics studio offering therapeutic creative expression, fine motor skill development, and vocational training — a place where art becomes both healing and meaningful work.
1
Vocational Teaching Center
A dedicated facility for life-skills instruction, job training, and vocational education — equipping adults with autism with the practical tools, confidence, and structure they need to thrive in work and community.
Land Acquisition
Finding the right land is the first and most critical step.
We are actively searching for the right property in the Blue Ridge Mountain region — land that offers natural beauty, reasonable accessibility for families, privacy for retreat, and enough acreage to build a full campus over time.
Our target is 20–50 acres with a mix of wooded areas, open meadows, and ideally a water feature such as a creek or pond. We are working with local real estate partners and praying for the right property to become available at the right time.
If you know of land in the Blue Ridge region that may be available, or if you are a landowner who feels called to be part of this mission, we would love to hear from you.
Development Timeline
The road from vision to open doors.
Founding, Fundraising & Organization
Establishing the legal and organizational foundation of Blue Ridge Haven, building our founding donor community, and launching our public presence.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporation
- Board of directors established
- Founding donor community launched
- Website and public communications live
- Prayer and awareness campaign underway
Land Acquisition
Identifying, evaluating, and securing the right property in the Blue Ridge Mountain region to serve as the permanent home of Blue Ridge Haven.
- Property search and evaluation
- Land acquisition fundraising campaign
- Site surveys and environmental review
- Purchase and title transfer
- Groundbreaking ceremony
Site Development & Infrastructure
Preparing the land for construction — roads, utilities, water, septic, and the foundational infrastructure that will support all future facilities.
- Access road and parking development
- Utility connections (water, electric, septic)
- Site grading and drainage
- Permitting and inspections
Facility Construction
Building the first set of Phase 1 facilities — cabins, tiny houses, RV spaces, outdoor areas, and the welcome center.
- 4 retreat cabins (12-person capacity each)
- 6 tiny houses for donors and partners
- 10 full-hookup RV spaces
- Welcome and program center
- Sensory-friendly outdoor activity areas
- Nature trails and gathering spaces
First Family Retreats
Opening our doors to the first autism families — welcoming them to a place built specifically for them, and beginning the mission Blue Ridge Haven was created to fulfill.
- Staff and volunteer training
- Pilot retreat program with founding families
- Program evaluation and refinement
- Full retreat calendar launch
Design Philosophy
Built with autism families in mind from the very first nail.
Every facility at Blue Ridge Haven will be designed with the specific needs of autism families at the forefront. That means sensory-considerate environments, predictable layouts, quiet spaces, accessible pathways, and a physical campus that communicates safety and calm from the moment a family arrives.
We are working with architects, special needs ministry experts, and autism families themselves to ensure that the design of every building and outdoor space reflects the people it is meant to serve.
This is not a generic retreat center with a few accommodations added on. It is a place built from scratch for families who have never had a place like this before.
Funding the Vision
Phase 1 requires community investment.
We are raising funds in stages, beginning with organizational costs and land acquisition. Below is an overview of the Phase 1 funding needs and how your gifts are being used.
Organizational Foundation
$25,000
Legal incorporation, board development, initial operations, website, and communications.
Land Acquisition
$500,000–$1.5M
Purchase of 20–50 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountain region. Amount varies by property.
Site Development
$150,000–$300,000
Roads, utilities, water, septic, grading, and foundational infrastructure.
Facility Construction
$1.5M–$3M
Cabins, tiny houses, RV spaces, welcome center, outdoor areas, and trails.
Be Part of Phase 1
The families who will one day rest here are counting on people who act now.
Phase 1 is being built by a founding community of donors, partners, churches, and volunteers who believe this mission is worth investing in before the first cabin is built. Join them.