Our Story

In September 1992, Sister Eileen of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia founded BEACON English Language & Literacy. She began tutoring a handful of illiterate adults in the only space available to her—a little kitchen in the wing of the Benedictine monastery. As more individuals came forward asking for help reading and writing, Sister Eileen started to look for additional classrooms and teachers in Manassas. Thanks to Sister Eileen, the owners of a local McDonald’s and a furniture store allowed BEACON to come into their stores and teach their employees. The Manassas police even vacated one of the rooms at their station so that Sister and her volunteers could tutor area residents.

Sister Eileen Heaps was one of those ever-inspiring people. She was a scientist, educator, role model, advocate for social justice, and the person “no one could say no to”. At one time, she was part of 20 different organizations and advocating for Congress to increase Adult Literacy funding by one million dollars! Sister Eileen was known for many things, but in the BEACON community, she is most known as our beloved founder. 

Today, BEACON serves over 400 students each year with the help and support of over 130 volunteers. The program has grown and evolved over the years depending on the needs of the community, but the goal has remained the same- to help adult learners reach their educational goals. Over the years BEACON has been recognized by numerous organizations for our contribution to adult literacy. BEACON has received the Virginia Department of Education’s Top CBLO (Community Based Literacy Organization) Award, the Jeannie P. Baliles Award from the Virginia Literacy Foundation, and the Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Award of the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.

BEACON is a secular ministry of The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia and the program would not be possible without their support. Several Sisters serve on the BEACON Board of Limited Jurisdiction, volunteer, and the community donates a significant portion of their Sunday Mass collections to the program. The Sisters’ history is one deeply rooted in education and hospitality. The Sisters originally came to Virginia in 1868 to teach the children of German immigrants. For over 150 years, the Sisters have provided quality education to the people of Virginia. Today they operate Linton Hall School (founded in 1922), a co-educational preschool through 8th grade in Bristow.  The sisters also sponsor Saint Gertrude High School, part of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond.  In addition to their schools, they operate a retreat center (Benedictine Pastoral Center,) a Columbarium and Place of Peace on their grounds.