Big Feelings

It’s been a surreal few weeks. There are all kinds of big feelings going on right now for adults and kids alike. Many of us are having to learn new ways of interacting with each other and the world. Some of us are feeling the effects of being cooped up…we miss our...

Disco Hide-and-Seek Parties

Bennett and his sister Ananda loved to play together. On the playground, in the car, and in the living room. With his friends, with her friends, with their pet guinea pigs. They didn’t let Bennett’s mobility challenges get in the way of fun. One year (for...

The Light Blinking on the Answering Machine

By Kara McClurken (Bennett’s mom) [Note: This post was written on Christmas Eve. To all of you who knew Bennett and to all of you who never met Bennett personally but are working by our side to create Bennett’s Village, we thank you for sharing our son and his dream...

Grateful for You

It’s been an amazing week of fun and design at Bennett’s Village. We came together to gather community input on Tuesday, we had an AMAZING event at the Cardinals for Bennett’s Village Fundraiser, and we have the first design meeting for the Hallowheels event today,...

Spatial Audit of Charlottesville Parks

Last fall, students in UVA’s Urban and Environmental class PLAN 6020, Methods of Community Research and Engagement, partnered with Bennett’s Village to conduct a spatial audit of the Charlottesville parks. One of the focuses of the study was to rate the inclusivity of...

Bennett’s Rocks

by Kara McClurken (aka Bennett’s mommy) Bennett loved rocks.  Shiny ones, dull ones, rough ones, smooth ones, sparkly ones, and ordinary ones that he found in the parking lot.  Size, shape, color didn’t matter.  He saw them all for the individual potential and wonder....