About

Better Men of Virginia, Inc.

A Virginia nonprofit corporation, formed August 21, 2026, for men who want to be better — whether he is home from prison, at the kitchen table, or on a job site.

What we hold to

A man decides his own goals. The goal he chooses will outlast the one someone hands him.
His story is his. Nothing about a man in any group is made public, and his notebook is never collected.
One standard for everyone. One published price in every house, written rules, and clean books from day one.
We promise only what actually runs. No results are claimed until they are real and counted.

The organization

Item	Detail
Legal name	Better Men of Virginia, Inc.
Form	Virginia nonstock corporation, SCC ID 12065461
Federal status	Exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), effective August 21, 2026. Public charity. EIN 42-4598842
Charitable solicitation	Registered under Va. Code § 57-61.1(A), effective August 24, 2026. Request ID 16323, VDACS
Fiscal year	January 1 to December 31
Governance	A board of directors. Every agreement with any related party is in writing, at a fair price, and approved by people with no stake in it
Clinical services	None. BMV is not a clinical provider and does not hold clinical licensure

The founder

Sho-Don Gilliam

Founder and president. He is building an organization that hands a man a second page and walks beside him while he fills it in — first groups in every room, a first house run to standard, and books that anyone could read.

Until a house manager is named, he is also the community liaison for the house, and the person who answers the phone.

Why Virginia, and why now

The state has raised the bar. Virginia law now lets courts and state agencies send men only to certified recovery residences. Every bed BMV opens is built to that standard from day one.
The need is not only on one side of the courthouse. Men with steady jobs and no record are rarely asked what they want either. BMV is built for both.

Contact

Referrals and questions

Sho-Don Gilliam, Founder
(804) 790-9169
shodongilliam6@gmail.com

To raise a concern about the house

Call the liaison line. Logged the same day, answered within one business day, resolved or escalated within three.

To file a grievance

BMV's posted form, or the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences at info@varronline.org, (804) 593-1360. Nothing a resident signs limits his right to complain to BMV, to VARR, or to the state.