June 2018

Youth Fitness Park Phase I Nearing Completion

The Villa's 82-acre campus is one of our most effective resources for therapy, education and recreation. With support from our community, we are constantly adapting it to enhance the physical and mental health of our children and families. Soon we will open our newest addition: the Youth Fitness Park! The Youth Fitness Park will offer kids more ways to get out and be active at the Villa. Phase I, which includes a shaded activity pavilion, swings, playground equipment and a misting station, will be completed in the coming weeks. Phase II plans include installation of a basketball court, walking/jogging path, and accessible exercise stations of youth of all abilities. The park will be located on the north end of campus by Cottages 5-8. Stay tuned as this exciting project progresses!

Telepsychiatry in Crisis Stabilization Unit expedites children's access to mental health services In our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) for mental health, offering virtual visits with a psychiatrist has led to new breakthroughs in therapy. Telepsychiatry gives youth a higher level of comfort and security in expressing themselves. "Kids prefer Skyping," said Craig Hedley, Villa Director of Community Partnerships. "That makes them more relaxed. And knowing someone is always available for them really helps." Telepsychiatry has also shown to be a swift, effective and cost-conscious way to bring psychiatric care to children, making the CSU a crucial resource for families when every second counts. The Villa partners with InSight Telepsychiatry to help keep families intact and divert children from hospitalization. To find out more about how telepsychiatry is improving outcomes at the Villa, check out our story at mHealth Intelligence . The CSU has operated in partnership with RBHA Region IV since 2012.

Villa Block Party caps third year of VCU peer mentoring partnership As Villa students come of the age to start thinking about life after high school, peer mentors at VCU are there to support them along the way. For the last three years, VCU's Service Learning Department and Department of Focused Inquiry have partnered with our Career and Transition Services to introduce Villa students to college life, from navigating the campus to attending class. VCU students also regularly visit their mentees at the Villa to help them hone work and communications skills. To celebrate another successful school year, VCU mentors helped us throw a Villa-wide block party with food, fun and games for all programs. Shout out to Studio Two Three for helping our students make screen prints on their very own takeaway t-shirts! VCU mentors worked with over 100 Villa students this year. Our collaborative peer mentoring program helps students realize that college is attainable, and a place where they can fit in.

Antique Car Show coming to the Villa Saturday, June 23 St. Joseph's Villa is hosting Central Virginia's largest automotive swap meet on Saturday, June 23, 8:00am-3:00pm. The Richmond Region Antique Automobile Club will have 200 cars ranging from today's customs to others that are over a century old. You can take an antique car ride, or see a Model T built from a pile of auto parts in just 15 minutes! Admission is $5 or free for children 12 and under. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Joseph's Villa. Don't miss it! Visit www.RichmondAACA.com for more information.

Celebrating our graduates We are incredibly proud of our graduating seniors! Congratulations to our Brook Road Academy, Dooley School, Dooley Center for Alternative Education, and Sarah Dooley Center for Autism Class of 2018. We know each of you has a bright future ahead. Special thanks to Janice Clifton and Dr. Brian Maltby for serving as our commencement speakers.

We never stop believing in children and their families. St. Joseph's Villa | 804-553-3200 | www.NeverStopBelieving.org

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