And All Forbes Als Inc

Pros

• The family regards Duvall Homes as the best residential care facility for persons with disabilities they have experienced.
• The staff and program at Duvall Homes are wonderful and caring.
• Duvall Homes creates a warm, home-like, family atmosphere.
• The organization is celebrated as a fantastic non-profit with a genuine passion for serving the community and its residents.
• Duvall Homes receives five-star praise from families who have loved ones there.
• Duvall Homes is described as a guiding light that inspires gratitude and lifelong dedication to helping others.

Cons

• They are waiting for a placement for their son that does not accommodate his handicap.
• They feel the organization needs to offer much more than it currently does.

Review

The echoes of a childhood spent in service still shape this community. One story begins in the early 1960s, when a student at Stetson University volunteered with tiny hands and tender voices, rocking and reading to children who had been abandoned by their families. The heartbreak of those moments, the realization that some of the most vulnerable faces were the ones who needed the most, set a course that would guide a lifetime. A person who majored in education with a strong interest in special education describes how those early experiences crystallized a calling: to work with children who needed extra care, and to dream up new ways to reach them. The same thread runs through decades of work - creating innovative programs for culturally disadvantaged children in Durham, North Carolina, and then turning toward higher education and broader impact.

Relocating to Durham, this educator became a trailblazer in the school system, noted as the first white teacher to integrate the county's schools. That period of reform was paired with a relentless drive to help underserved kids, and it culminated in the creation of innovative programs designed to level the playing field for culturally disadvantaged students. After a foundational six years in Durham, the journey moved south to Florence, South Carolina, where a master's degree in learning disabilities was earned and the first LD programs sprang to life in both Florence and Marion Counties. All along, a deep, enduring love for children in need remained the compass. When the Duvall Home emerged as a guiding light, it felt like a beacon - one that offered direction, hope, and a model of care that could illuminate a life dedicated to service.

That gratitude is not mere nostalgia. In the heart of these reflections lies a lasting promise: the Duvall Home, with its approachable warmth and steadfast mission, helped illuminate a life's work and reinforced a belief in the transformative power of compassionate care. The voice offering thanks ends with a blessing and a call to persevere: keep up the great work, and God bless the effort that touches so many lives. The sentiments are those of a person who has spent decades shaping the landscape for children and adults in need, and who has found in Duvall Home a living embodiment of the values that guided their own career.

Among the strongest affirmations comes from a family whose story centers on a loved one who has lived at Duvall Homes for about 25 years. They describe Duvall as by far the best residential care facility for persons with disabilities they have experienced, underscoring the excellence of the staff and the program. The praise is emphatic: five stars, a confident declaration that "Duvall rocks." This testimonial speaks not only to the quality of daily care, but to the sense of stability and belonging that long-term residency can offer - the kind of enduring, supportive environment that families seek and rarely forget when they find it.

There is also a sense of ongoing search and expectation from another voice in the community - someone waiting for a placement for their son, hoping there is a suitable option that will meet his needs. The note hints at the ongoing challenges families face when seeking appropriate care, and it sits alongside the praise as a reminder that access and fit remain essential concerns for many who navigate the system. It's a candid reminder that the impact of quality care is measured not only by success stories, but also by the availability of compassionate, appropriate placements for those who need them most.

What emerges across these perspectives is a portrait of Duvall Homes as a place that feels like family. One reviewer who has spent years in the field describes the staff as people who truly care about their jobs and the work they do, fostering a sense of unity - an environment that feels like one big family. The home-like atmosphere is repeatedly highlighted, with the sense that residents are not merely recipients of services but participants in a welcoming, recognized community. It is a narrative of visible growth and evolving involvement, with more opportunities for community engagement appearing over time.

Complementing that portrait is a verdict on the organization's mission and its people. Descriptions of the staff as friendly and genuinely devoted to the residents reinforce the sense that this is not just a facility, but a nonprofit built on shared values and a spirit of service. The tone highlights efficiency and courtesy in daily operations, painting a picture of a place where care is delivered with professionalism and warmth in equal measure. The combined testimony points to a culture that values respect, attentiveness, and a collaborative atmosphere where families feel seen and supported.

Yet every story has room for reflection and improvement. One comment notes that there is a perception that Duvall Homes could "accept a lot more than what they have to offer," a phrase that hints at capacity or resource gaps. While the overall tenor remains overwhelmingly positive - people feeling valued, cared for, and inspired - this smaller critique underscores the importance of continued growth and expansion to meet demand and to ensure that more families can find the same sense of trust and security described by the long-time residents and their loved ones. It's a reminder that even exemplary organizations must stay responsive to changing needs and opportunities.

Together, these voices weave a comprehensive narrative of a community anchored in years of dedication to children and adults with disabilities. They speak to the power of compassionate care, the role of staff who treat every resident with dignity, and the enduring influence of institutions that offer not just services, but a sense of home. The reflections on Duvall Home - its history, its people, and its ongoing evolution - point to a lasting impact: a place that has, for decades, illuminated paths, touched lives, and proven that when care is rooted in humanity, it can guide a lifetime.

This part of De Land, Florida offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. With several pharmacies within a short distance, accessing healthcare services and medications is easy. There are also multiple physicians' offices in the area, providing convenient access to medical care. The presence of diverse dining options ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants makes it easy for residents to enjoy meals out. In addition, several parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For those looking for spiritual fulfillment, there are also places of worship nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community in De Land.

Pharmacies

• Winn-Dixie (0.9 miles)
• Walmart Fuel Station (1.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Ritter's Towne Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Florida Health Care Plans (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Virginio Rodrig Uez (1.1 miles)
• Deland Family Medicine (1.4 miles)
• Happy Brain Neurofeedback (1.4 miles)
• Florida Kidney & Hypertension Specialist (1.5 miles)
• Krishnan MD Ananth Pa (1.7 miles)
• Central Florida Eye Specialists P L (1.8 miles)
• Mid Florida Cancer Centers (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Emmy S Time Out Tavern (1.4 miles)
• Captain D's (1.4 miles)
• Checkers (1.5 miles)
• Mi Mexico Restaurant (1.5 miles)
• The Half Wall DeLand (1.6 miles)
• Gator's Dockside of Deland (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Earl Brown Park (1.4 miles)
• Lake Beresford Park (1.8 miles)
• Barkley Square Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Hontoon Island State Park (3.4 miles)
• Blue Spring State Park (5.1 miles)
• Gateway Park (7.2 miles)

Cafes

• Trilogy Coffee Roasting Co. (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Rhonda's Kitchen (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• AdventHealth DeLand (2 miles)
• Florida Hospital Deland (2 miles)
• AdventHealth Fish Memorial (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Chapel (3 miles)
• Bible Baptist Church (4 miles)