The last month has been full of contrasts for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities:

 

GRANT SUPPORT

Our organization was grateful to receive generous grant support from the Jackson Foundation, Alexander Lebenstein Fund for Tolerance and Human Rights of the Richmond Jewish Foundation, Herbert J. and Ruth B. Rubel Holocaust Education Fund of the Richmond Jewish Foundation, and a special gift from Wells Fargo that was presented at the Richmond Humanitarian Awards Dinner:

 

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

We also conducted the Prejudice Awareness Summit for Richmond-area middle school students, a Diversity Dialogue Day forum for Peninsula high school students, and we launched a new community dialogue program called "RVA Table Talk."

 

RAPID-RESPONSE SERVICES

At the same time, we continue to be overwhelmed by demand for VCIC's programs and services, especially after incidents of bias, bullying, and discrimination.  It is clear that schools, businesses, and communities view our organization as a go-to resource to help them learn and heal.  Our work over the coming months will be to enhance our proactive efforts to get ahead of these painful and divisive incidents.