SEPTEMBER 2017
Greetings!

August is always the busiest month of the year for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.  Over the last month, we conducted the 24th annual Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute retreat for high school students, piloted a new multi-day Camp Inclusion experience for middle school students, led professional development sessions for teachers at schools and districts across Virginia, facilitated sessions for college student leaders and as part of new student orientation, trained employees and managers at a Fortune 500 company, and completed a successful FY17 audit.  
 
And in the midst of all of that, the tragic events in Charlottesville happened.  VCIC was devastated to see such hatred and violence in our Commonwealth.  But, as we have done for 82 years, we quickly got to work.  Among our many public and behind-the-scenes responses since August 12, we:
  • Released a statement on Sunday, August 13 that reached tens of thousands of people via email and social media.
  • Consulted with nearly a dozen schools and workplaces to help them craft statements, plan professional development, and strategize about long-term responses.
  • Participated in a call with Governor McAuliffe to review the events of Charlottesville and discuss plans to prevent such events in other communities across Virginia.
  • Launched the RVA Community Fund for Standing Together with support from the Robins Foundation and the Richmond Jewish Foundation as a resource for nonprofit organizations to provide rapid-response services after incidents of bias, bullying, and discrimination.
  • Facilitated a monthly racial dialogue in Hampton Roads that was noted in the Virginian-Pilot.
  • Began to organize with community partners in advance of a potential march in Richmond on September 16.
  • Secured a major contribution from a corporate sponsor to sustain our critical school and community program work.
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities will continue to be a leading voice and force in Virginia to stand up to bigotry and promote understanding and respect.  As you embark upon the 2017-2018 school year, please let us know how VCIC can partner with you. Contact our office by phone at (804) 515-7950 or by emailing Jessica Hawthorne (Director of Programs) or Marcos Martinez (Educational Programs Coordinator).

We look forward to working with you!
Welcome New VCIC Staff

To support the increased demand for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities' programs and services, our organization was excited to welcome four new staff members in recent months!   Alex Cena is Outreach Programs Coordinator, Kate Eubank is Director of Administration & Finance, Michael Jackson is Program Assistant, and Marcos Martinez is Educational Programs Coordinator.

Calendar of Holidays & Festivals: 2017-2018

VCIC's Calendar of Holidays and Festivals is a resource designed to encourage public awareness of the great diversity of religious and ethnic groups that live in the United States.  Holidays and festivals are included for many religious, ethnic, and public occasions.

Mark Your Calendar for VCIC's Fall Forums

Information is being mailed to school contacts regarding the following free programs for schools: 10/19 Prejudice Awareness Summit (for Richmond-area middle schools), 10/24 Peninsula Diversity Dialogue Day  (for Peninsula-area high schools), and 11/14 Richmond Diversity Dialogue Day (for Richmond-area high schools).

Upcoming Contests, Funding, and Programs
 
CONTESTS
(Contests linked to diversity, inclusion, and leadership)
 
FUNDING
(Grant opportunities to recognize leadership or support projects and clubs)
 
PROGRAMS
(Initiatives and observances to advance character education and inclusion)
                MAKE A DONATION              
Virginia Center for 
Inclusive Communities
5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 202
Richmond, VA 23228
Phone: 804-515-7950  |  Fax: 804-515-7177