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National Alliance to End Homelessness honors Flagler as Champion of Change

With support from the community and our partners, the Villa's Flagler Housing & Homeless Services has become a national leader in ending homelessness through rapid re-housing. Next month in Washington D.C., the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) will recognize Flagler as a Champion of Change at its Annual Awards ceremony. Flagler will be one of three honorees in the country.

"I don't know how I could've made it without Flagler." - LaToya

Flagler completed its transition from an on-campus shelter to the community-based model of rapid re-housing in 2013, and was one of the nation's first rapid re-housing service providers to be certified by NAEH. Today through rapid re-housing, Flagler serves triple the number of households at a third of the cost, and with higher success rates. More than 600 households -- approximately 1,500 individuals -- throughout Central Virginia have been rapidly re-housed by Flagler.

Click here for more information about NAEH's Annual Awards and this year's honorees. Congratulations to our Flagler team for this preeminent recognition, and a huge thanks to our donors, funders and partners who make our work possible!

 
 
Career and Transition Services, community partners team up to fight food insecurity
CATS student Jerimaha picks an eggplant in Lewis Ginter's Community Kitchen Garden.
The Villa's Learning & Therapy Garden is a dynamic shared space where students can engage in activities that contribute to their physical and mental health. Participants in our Career and Transition Services (CATS) use the garden as a resource to learn how to prepare food from farm to table, using fresh ingredients that they grow themselves. Now CATS students are using their gardening skills to serve the community thanks to a new partnership with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and FeedMore.

CATS students have become active contributors to Lewis Ginter's Community Kitchen Garden, a quick bus ride down the road. All of the produce grown there is given to FeedMore to provide healthy meals for children and homebound seniors facing food insecurity. What better way for youth to build job skills? 


Brook Road Academy introduces carpentry class
It's a new day at Brook Road Academy! Following extensive renovations over the summer, Brook Road began the year with a variety of new course offerings and after-school clubs, including carpentry. Carpentry class is geared to teach students the basics of woodworking and build hands-on skills. Every nine weeks students choose a new project. In the first nine weeks, students worked diligently to create a set of new end tables.

Teacher Israel Melendez (left) and students display their new tables.

Dog Days at the Villa
Sarah Dooley student and teacher with therapy dog Loki.
 
The therapeutic power of animal companionship can be seen every week at our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism where students enjoy visits from Loki, a Golden Retriever pup and certified therapy dog from Warren Retrievers. All grade levels have the chance to pet, feed, walk and play with Loki.

St. Bernard at the Villa
While therapy dogs can have a calming effect on children with autism, they also provide an opportunity to engage in social activities and build communication skills. Interactions with dogs can also teach responsibility, compassion, and respect for other living things.

Having dogs at the Villa is a tradition that goes back many years. In the Villa's days as an orphanage, each cottage had a St. Bernard to share love with the children here.

Saxon Shoes "Dollar a Pair" fundraiser benefits four Richmond nonprofits -- including SJV
Need a new pair of shoes? Now through October 31, Saxon Shoes at Short Pump Town Center will donate $1 for every pair of shoes sold to a nonprofit of your choice. We're grateful to be one of four Richmond beneficiaries!

Click to watch the Dollar a Pair TV spot. 

Your participation will create brighter futures for children and families facing homelessness, mental illness, autism and other challenges. To learn more about the Villa programs your support makes possible, click here

Villa Director of Development, Jenny Friar, named in Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40
Photo credit: Scott Elmquist

Since joining St. Joseph's Villa in 2007, Jenny Friar led our first-ever capital campaign raising $10.7 million for campus infrastructure and accessibility improvements. She also conceived plans for our Learning & Therapy Garden, and built the financial support and community partnerships to bring it to life. Click here for Jenny's excerpt in Style Weekly.

Villa supporter Mark Smith of Midas of Central Virginia said, "Jenny epitomizes all that effective change agents can be in a community once they choose to be part of the solution. Her passion for the students of St. Joseph's Villa and the programs she creates in their interest comes shining through in all that she does."

Congratulations, Jenny!

In this Issue
How to Give


Make an Online Gift
Your gift helps transform the life of each child and family we serve. Learn more.

Donate Goods
Our Donation Center welcomes clothing, housewares and school supplies for families in need. Learn more.

Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the Villa's daily operations. We have a wide variety and individual and group opportunities available. Learn more.

Follow the Villa
       

We're Hiring!
We're seeking Qualified Mental Health Professionals for openings in our Intensive In-Home, Mental Health Skill Building, and Day Treatment After-School programs. Visit our website to apply!

Volunteer Help Needed: Head Elf
Santa's workshop is in need of a Head Elf for the Villa's Season of Hope from Nov. 1 - Dec. 20. The Head Elf will work with Santa
and other elves to make the season bright for Villa children and families.

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An elf's keen attention to detail is needed to help Santa check the list twice and make sure everyone receives what they need -- along with a few wishes! Must be comfortable with data entry and Microsoft Office.

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Please call Kathy Perun for more information at 804-521-5577 or email.
 



 
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