Family medicine physician offers lifeline for women facing homelessness

By Hayley Roulston

Barbara T. Lester, M.D., has spent her life stepping into the gaps others overlook. One of the most pressing? The lack of support for single women experiencing homelessness in Richmond - a population often neglected in traditional aid systems.

After 10 years as a physical education teacher, Lester entered medical school at 40 while raising two children and went on to practice family medicine for 18 years. When most would choose to retire, she felt called to serve differently.

Drawing on her clinical experience and deep sense of purpose, she founded Joy House RVA, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing for single women facing homelessness.

Lester's awareness of the struggles of underserved populations grew in the 1990s during her residency training at VCU Health and its Chesterfield Family Practice - then an affiliated residency program of the Department of Family Medicine and Population Health in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Those experiences planted the seeds for what would become Joy House RVA.

"I saw patients from diverse backgrounds facing serious hardships, pain and discomfort - it deepened my understanding of the issues that might be faced in homeless situations," Lester said. "Seeing VCU provide quality care to those with very low incomes showed me the importance of being present for people who are often overlooked."

In 2014, the idea started to take root when she felt spiritually compelled to purchase a foreclosed home in her son's neighborhood of North Highland Park. She spent a year gutting and renovating the house - even while unsure of its future purpose.

That clarity came when she learned CARITAS, Richmond's largest homeless shelter, needed additional long-term, low-rent housing for women. One phone call later, a partnership was born and a safe and supportive environment was created to help women transition out of homelessness.

The partnership between CARITAS and Joy House RVA continues to thrive. Denise, one of Joy House RVA's residents, first learned about its programs while at CARITAS, following the loss of her husband - a tragedy that sent her into a deep spiral of grief. After 18 months at Joy House RVA, she's completed Moral Reconation Therapy, paid off her car and is now preparing to move into independent housing.

Established as a nonprofit in 2017, Joy House RVA fills a critical service gap for women who don't qualify for veteran or family-based housing programs. In its eight years of operation, Joy House RVA has supported approximately 44 individuals, with about half successfully transitioning to independent living.

"It's powerful to see these women grow and become productive members of society, even wanting to give back," Lester said.

The organization now operates four bungalows on Richmond's South Side, each housing up to two people. This model fosters stability and minimizes conflict, while staying close to a supportive church community.

Despite limited resources, Joy House RVA thrives on community involvement. A small team of dedicated volunteers and a growing partnership with the VCU School of Social Work provide essential services and run its programs. VCU undergraduate students serve as interns, playing a key role in supporting residents, offering both practical help and a sense of connection.

Lester's medical background has been instrumental in shaping the nonprofit's trauma-informed approach. One of its most impactful programs is MRT, a cognitive behavioral treatment addressing trauma and substance use. When a longtime volunteer facilitator stepped down, Lester became certified to keep the program going - and found she valued the opportunity to connect with the community in a new way.

"My favorite program at Joy House RVA has been the MRT course, Get Out of Your Own Prison," Denise said. "It helps you reflect on what's happened and figure out how to move forward - to be self-sufficient."

While Lester praises Denise for putting the MRT lessons into action, Denise is quick to highlight the role Lester has played in her journey.

"We could talk about Miss Barbara all day," Denise said. "She's caring and devoted, always doing something for these homes. I couldn't have asked for a better support person. She truly has a beautiful heart."

With a heart for service and the foundation of her medical training, Lester's leap of faith has been transformed into a healing mission beyond the exam room.

This story was originally published on the School of Medicine website.