Handyman carries on legacy of kindness at The Virginia Home for adults with disabilities
Mark Conyard goes beyond maintenance duties to create meaningful connections with residents
RICHMOND, Va. (InvestigateTV) — Mark Conyard keeps busy with a daily checklist at The Virginia Home, where adults with physical disabilities live and thrive.
For nearly 26 years, Conyard has worked in maintenance at the facility. But recreational therapist Megan Portelos said he goes far beyond his job description.
“He has a massive undertaking of keeping and maintaining this building that’s almost 100 years old, yet he finds the time to connect with our residents,” Portelos said.
She calls it “the Conyard way.”
Family connection runs deep
Conyard’s connection with residents started before he was hired.
“I grew up here pretty much. My dad worked here, so he brought me up here as a kid,” Conyard said.
Conyard graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in information systems, but The Virginia Home is where his heart is.
“I got to know all of the residents and all of the staff as well. So, it just made me feel good to be around them, so when I had the opportunity to work here, it was a no-brainer,” he said.
Conyard’s father, Reggie, was the director of maintenance for 50 years. The two worked together until Reggie retired about six years ago.
“He and his dad are two peas in a pod, and they have the same kindness inside of them. So, the legacy of the Conyards throughout the Virginia Home is far and wide,” Portelos said.
Going above and beyond
Portelos said Conyard’s dedication extends beyond work hours.
“Despite having his own family at home, he spends Thanksgivings and Christmases driving our residents home to be with their own families,” she said.
For Conyard, the residents and staff are like family.
“They’ll just come down and talk about sports, or we’ll talk about, you know, what they did over the weekend, whose family is doing what, where’s the cookout at,” he said.
Portelos recalled Conyard stepping up to help when her air conditioning unit broke.
“I have a 4-year-old daughter and two dogs at home, and my husband was scheduled for surgery the next day, and my house was 95 degrees and climbing. We called at least 10 places, and no one could come for at least five days,” she said.
Conyard searched around town to find the right parts and fixed the unit the next morning.
“My favorite thing is it’s always going to be the people for me. I take care of the building. I make sure the building is safe for them, but it’s always about them,” Conyard said.
See Ashley Hendricks’ full story here.
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