Project 516 helps restore homes and spirits in Mayfield

Pastor Victor Logan of Grace Redemption Church removes old deck boards in Mayfield during an event last weekend offering free home renovations to seniors. (Photo by Jamar Billingsley)

Elderly Mayfield homeowners were all smiles last Saturday as they took advantage of free home renovations courtesy of the 516 Project, a Christian building ministry based in Fredericksburg.

Coffee, donuts, orange juice and apple cider were provided from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Mayfield Civic Association building. From there, two teams of 10 volunteers each made their way through different parts of the neighborhood to begin restoring homes.

Volunteers cleared vines from homes, cleared debris from gutters, resurfaced decks with new boards, repaired fences and installed new trim on exterior doors. Walkways and trim shined after cleaning with Shane’s Pristine PowerWash.

Most of the volunteers who helped with the restoration work were either current or former Mayfield residents. At noon everyone gathered for lunch provided by the Bridge Church of Spotsylvania. After six hours of DIY work, the event ended at 3 p.m

James Roberson, president of the 516 Project, said he was excited to be part of the restoration for Mayfield’s seniors. In total, the 516 Project plans to repair ten homes in the community over the next few weeks.

“The collaboration between the 516 Project, the Mayfield Civic Association, the NAACP Fredericksburg Branch and Mary Washington Healthcare was critical to making the impact needed in Mayfield,” Roberson said.

Ryan Elliott, Project 516 manager, first learned about Mayfield Restoration Serve Day at a civic association meeting six months ago.

“We came in and evaluated the properties that we received applications for,” Elliott said. “We want to help as many people as possible.”

Roberson and Elliott both referenced the 516 Project’s motto: “Providing Access to Hope.”

“We are here for those who need help in their home. We want Mayfield homeowners to know that we care and that everyone deserves a safe home,” Roberson said.

Jarret Bailey, son of Etta Bailey, stood outside his 90-year-old mother’s home while the front deck was repaired and safety bars were installed in the restrooms.

“Seniors really need help and we are grateful [for Project 516]Jarrett said.

Mayfield resident Tim Catlett was also grateful for the repairs to his home, calling the work “a blessing in more ways than one.”

Mayfield native Xavier Richardson, who grew up in the neighborhood, helped build the partnerships needed to lead this project. Richardson, senior vice president and chief development officer of Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC), also serves as a liaison between Mayfield and the Fredericksburg branch of the NAACP.

Richardson relies on community assessments and health improvement plans in both his personal and professional life. He has been a member of the MWHC leadership team since 1997 and is responsible for fundraising, community engagement, philanthropy and legislative affairs.

Richardson also helped secure a grant for the 516 Project through the Joe and Mary Wilson Benefit Fund in partnership with MWHC.

“I still walk through Mayfield every day to take care of my health,” Richardson said, “and it allows me to interact with the community, the former students I mentored and the people who have supported me over the years helped us get in touch.”

Richardson hopes to continue building partnerships to ensure residents don’t lose their homes. Mayfield residents can look forward to the restoration of more homes in the spring of 2025, he added.

“The NAACP Fredericksburg Branch has been instrumental in housing, education, health and other areas of wellness. They have committees that address those needs,” he said.

Trudy Smith Wilson, president of the Mayfield Civic Association, said she has been working with Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation to offer more activities for youth. Recently, the civic association raised $10,000 toward the possible purchase of a parking lot on Glover Street to be used for community events.

Mary Parnell, chairwoman of the NAACP Fredericksburg Branch Housing Committee, emphasized the importance of advocating for communities of color.

“We’re doing everything we can for Mayfield. We are even working on the gas pipeline situation and are hosting some health workshops soon,” Parnell said.

Xavier Richardson is a member of the Free Press Board of Directors. Board members have no influence on newsroom operations.