Group home opens outside Franklin
Published 8:55 am Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Noble Care, an adult residential group home, was dedicated at an open house on March 2. From left are Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Wright, Sheila Dawson, Lois Howell-Britt, Jackie Myrick, Stanley Myrick, Tyrone Parker, Felicia Parker: Danielle Dawson, Gail Pruden and Melissa Rose. -- STEPHEN H. COWLES | TIDEWATER NEWS
BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com
FRANKLIN—Moved to help people with challenges, Tyrone Parker has established Noble Care, an adult group home at 507 Washington Ave.
“I’ve been around a lot of people with intellectual disabilities,” said Parker, chief executive officer for Noble Care.
Some were kids in a youth baseball league with whom he’s worked.
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for such adults has become his focus.
“This may be what we need to do,” Parker said.
After four to five years with the idea brewing in mind, Parker began working on the plan 15 months ago. Last week, he held an open house for the three-bedroom facility.
Parker’s wife, Felicia, has been in nursing school and will help. His brother-in-law, Stanley Myrick, helped Parker with the remodeling. Myrick also does the maintenance, which he loves, said his wife, Jackie Myrick, who is Felicia’s sister and the program director.
Jackie Myrick earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Old Dominion University while working at Ford Motor Co. She has 10 years experience in accounting.
“It was the right timing,” she said. “My sister was in nursing school. I love administrating. Ford had closed down and I was out of a job. Parker’s ideas took root. I ran with his idea. We’re all just bringing different things to the table.”
BB&T was represented at the ceremony by Gail Pruden, branch manager in Suffolk.
“We’re their bank, and proud to support them,” said Pruden. “We’re excited for them, and are in for the long haul.”
Myrick said Noble Care is for individuals who are intellectually disabled and can have a secondary diagnosis of mental illness, and have Medicaid waivers or private funding.
References for potential clients are made though community service boards, social services and other private organizations.
The facility will provide 24-hour care by a qualified staff in a secure and suburban setting. Christian-based optional weekly Bible study classes are offered.
More importantly, Myrick said, the home is “person-centered.”
“They have a say,” he said. “We ask, ‘What do you want out of life?’ We’re the catalyst that will allow them to reach their goals.”
For more information about Noble Care, call 757-303-5846 or e-mail noblecarellc@yahoo.com.
