Who We Are

The Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation was chartered in 1966 as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing grant awards, information and referral services, and advocacy.

Our history includes the construction and management of the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Center in Hampton, Virginia for over 55 years. This was a campus that provided extraordinary services through residential, educational, professional, and recreational services. Two of the earliest benefactors to the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Center were Mr. and Mrs. Chester Carlson who became interested in our work in 1963. Mr. Carlson was the inventor of the xerography process. We know the product today as Xerox.

The Center is named after Dorris Carlson’s mother, Sarah Bonwell Hudgins. From this beginning and with the continued support of individuals and organizations, the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation is able to continue our mission.

What We Do
In 2023, the Foundation shifted from an on-site service model to a more financial support role. Changes in law and policies regulating funding of disability services made it necessary to rethink how the Foundation operates. We closed the center and are working toward a stronger, more robust financial giving program. Our current partners are SMART-One, Inc. and Sarah’s Crew. Both organizations offer dynamic recreational and educational programs for children and adults. We are excited for the future and expanding our ability to help even more people in our community!

Our current president is Jennifer Register, and our Executive Director is Lorri Powers.

You Can Help
People with disabilities in our community depend on the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation and we depend on you. The generosity of caring donors provides the funds that have allowed the Foundation to maintain existing grants and strive for capacity building.

Contributions of are truly appreciated.