On May 16, 2008, Wesley Housing Development Corporation held An Open Door Concert to support affordable housing in Northern Virginia, an evening where members of our community expressed their commitment for our mission to develop, own, operate, preserve, and maintain affordable housing and sustain quality communities for low- and moderate-income persons in Northern Virginia. The concert, featuring pianist David Nevue, was a great success.

The audience included residents from Wesley Housing’s Quarry Station Seniors Apartments, Wesley Agape House, and Coppermine Place I and II.  After a welcoming introduction from Wesley Housing's CEO Shelley Murphy, the first note was struck, and the evening began.

Nevue explained the significance of each original composition that he played, painting myriad pictures for his audience—snow swept streets in Germany, first moments with his newborn son, trees lying silent amidst the chaos of winter, staring up at flung handfuls of stars in his backyard.

During the intermission, guests enjoyed a variety of homemade treats donated by Centreville UMC members as they mingled with acquaintances old and new.

In addition to Nevue's performance from his repertoire of almost a dozen albums, the program included musical selections on the piano, flutes, and bassoon played by a number of Centreville UMC youth.  Several of the young musicians also acted in short vignettes that portrayed the struggles and successes of some of Wesley Housing's residents.

One story, depicted by Wesley Housing Resident Programs Coordinator Ann Farris, gave the audience a glimpse into the life of "Sarah," a developmentally disabled woman who gained empowerment and greater confidence through her transition into an independent living situation—the first time in her life she'd ever lived on her own—in Wesley Housing's Quarry Station Seniors Apartments.

As the evening came to a close, Nevue received a standing ovation from the audience, and was invited to return back to the stage to share one last stirring piece with his listeners. As they left, guests had a chance to learn more about Wesley Housing's mission at the information table, as well as to buy David's music at his CD table.

Proceeds and donations stemming from the concert will help to support Wesley Housing’s activities in its 19 affordable housing communities located in eight cities across Northern Virginia. Three of those properties have Community Resource Centers, where programs address the educational, professional, and personal development needs of children, youth, and adult residents in their communities. At three other properties—those serving residents with special needs, such as the profoundly disabled and the elderly—Wesley Housing manages Resident Service Centers, where staff provide social, recreational, and educational programming and offer information and referral services tailored to resident needs.

Event Sponsors
Acacia Federal Savings Bank
Nancy and Lyle Minter
Ann and Thomas Farris III
Rev. Marci and Ken Huntsman
Beth and Paul Pautler
Muriel Garr
Janet Maxwell
Shelley and Michael Murphy

Venue Sponsor
Centreville United Methodist Church

Accommodations were provided by Westfields Marriott