More than one hundred individuals attended a ribbon cutting on Wednesday to officially open the Ellmore Farmhouse as ServiceSource’s 12th Long-Term Community Integration Services (LTCIS) site serving individuals who have disabilities in Northern Virginia. The event was the culmination of a years-long effort in collaboration with the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program to restore the historic property located at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, VA.
On hand to assist with the ribbon cutting were Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who represents the Hunter Mill District; Fairfax County Park Authority Board Member Bill Bouie; Virginia Delegate Irene Shin; ServiceSource Board Member Patricia Harrison; and ServiceSource Foundation Trustee Albert Wu.
“The location in Frying Pan Farm Park provides individuals who we serve, the opportunity to be fully engaged in our community in a meaningful way. Our folks support activities at the farm, serve as guides for tours of the house, and participate in recreational activities, current events education, and expressive therapies on site,” said ServiceSource Chief Operating Officer Ken Crum. “The Blossom Daily Café and Bloom Gift Shop located at Ellmore Farmhouse also provide opportunities for employment.”
The project to restore Ellmore Farmhouse began in 2019, when ServiceSource first submitted plans to the Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program to convert the house for use as a site to serve people in the LTCIS program. The house presented a unique challenge as the structure was in need of major improvements and its location within a busy public park was not conducive to residential use. Significant funds were necessary to cover the renovations required to make the house safe and accessible for all. The ServiceSource Foundation stepped in and raised nearly $715,000 from more than 115 donors to complete the renovations needed.
Major benefactors included the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, PepsiCo Bottling Company, Fairfax Civitan Club/Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Rotary Club of the Dulles International Airport and Performance Food Group.
The partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority marks a significant milestone in supporting the ServiceSource mission to connect individuals with disabilities to the surrounding community.
“To benefit our community, sometimes it takes partnerships to get things done, like this one between ServiceSource, local businesses, individuals, and the county,” Supervisor Alcorn noted. “I’m excited that this program will bring something new to one of our most popular Fairfax County parks. I can’t wait to come back to the new café and gift shop. I encourage everyone else to come experience the food and crafts now being offered at Ellmore Farmhouse.”
