YVCHR News: New Projects for January and February!

January 2021

[NOTE: This version of the January newsletter has been corrected regarding the date for MLK Day, which is January 18, 2021. Please excuse the typo in the copy that was previously published.]

Happy New Year from YVCHR!

We are truly excited about the opportunities that 2021 holds for youth volunteers across Hampton Roads. Staff, Youth Advisory Board members and YVCHR's Board of Directors have embraced the lessons we learned in 2020 and are gearing up for a year of continued program growth and expanded impact. We will continue offering a variety of meaningful service projects and learning experiences--both in person and virtually--with plans to enhance engagement by introducing our new Community Conversations for Change and Mental Health Mondays series (see below for details). Construction projects will continue to be a huge focus throughout the year in an effort to expose participants to real-world, hands-on skills that incorporate science, technology, engineering, math and--of course--POWER TOOLS! As we begin mapping out projects with our existing community partners, we are also reaching out to new organizations in the hopes that youth volunteers will have increased access to projects involving animals and opportunities to serve veterans. And, of course, we are eagerly awaiting the day when we can be reunited with our friends at One Child Center for Autism, Special Olympics Bowling, Tidewater Autism Society, the Gardens at Warwick Forest, and several other beloved agencies that have been forced to restrict in-person programming during the pandemic. In the meantime, we will continue to create new virtual service-learning experiences, provide support to school clubs, and also offer a variety of in-person projects that meet CDC and state-issued guidelines.

2021 is truly the year to BE THE CHANGE. Here's to endless possibilities!

Yours in service,

Katie Morgan, Executive Director

What MLK Means to Me

Youth and adults are invited to share their favorite MLK quote or inspirational story via Flipgrid! This initiative was launched by our Youth Advisory Board to highlight the incredible work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the civil rights movement and shared his dream of equality with the world.

Submissions will be compiled into a video to be shared via social media on MLK Day, January 18th. To participate, simply click the link, record your message and submit! *TIP: Please ensure good lighting and audio.

Access the Flipgrid prompt here!

New Service Opportunities for January and February

Check out the PROJECT CALENDAR on our website and be sure to sign up for these great service projects!

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we will be offering mostly virtual projects due to the rise in COVID cases in our area. As cases go down, we will begin to offer more in-person opportunities for youth.

Community Conversations for Change

If not you, then who?

If not now, then when?

YVCHR is launching a virtual youth-directed series of discussions on inequality, police relations, and personal stories, which will culminate in a session on youth action. All youth of every race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and background are invited and encouraged to participate in order to generate meaningful and valuable dialogue.

Session 1: Hear My Story (January 18th, 11am-12:30pm)

Be part of the solution by listening to the perspectives of those whose experiences may be different from your own. In this session, youth of color will share their stories and experiences within our community. Having a platform to be heard by your peers is the first step that leads to understanding and empathy. It is essential that youth allies listen to, hear, and bear witness to the feelings and experiences of their peers. The session will conclude with a question and answer dialogue about people of color’s perspectives.

Session 2: Educate Us (January 23rd, 11am-12:30pm)

How can we move forward and address a situation if we don’t really understand the problem? Education is the key to changing everything -- minds, perspectives, hearts and eventually legislation. In this session, we will cover topics such as systemic racism and implicit bias while reflecting on the history of racism in our county.

Session 3: Dialogue with Police Officers (January 30th, 11am-12:30pm)

This piece of the puzzle cannot be ignored. The relationship between the police and the community, especially communities of color, is completely strained right now. Police officers will join the session to listen to youth experiences and concerns and engage in dialogue about growing tension. Hearing the perspectives of both groups may lead to better understanding, compassion, and begin repairing a damaged relationship.

Session 4: Getting to Know Each Other (February 6th, 11am-12:30pm)

In small group sessions, youth will have the opportunity to get to know other youth in the community who are different from themselves. Talking, listening, sharing, and then working on a small project together will help create bridges of understanding across physical divides.

Session 5: A Call to Action – Part 1 and 2 (February 13th and 20th, 11am-12:30pm)

In this two-meeting session, we will brainstorm action items that can be taken to help illuminate the problem and help address it. Youth are the key to change. Youth have a strong voice and are encouraged to use it. Like a pebble thrown into a pond, the work of this group will ripple outwards into the community, spreading acceptance of differences and igniting the call for change.

Session 6: The Celebration (February 27th, 11am-12:30pm)*

In our last session, we plan to meet in-person (location TBD) to celebrate the work we are doing and the new people we have met. *This session will be dependent on COVID restrictions and weather.

Registration is required to participate in the series, and participants must commit to attending at least 5 of the 6 sessions. Click here for more information or to register.

Mental Health Mondays

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Join us for this 6-week HYBRID project that tackles the very important issue of mental health and how youth can learn ways to boost their own mental health while helping others. Participants will organize and execute a Relief Goody Bag drive for frontline workers in the healthcare field.

Week 1: What is Mental Health? (January 25th)

In this session we will talk about what mental health is and how youth are managing their own mental health during the pandemic. We will also begin designing social media campaigns and/or creating letters to spread the word about the Relief Goody Bag drive.

Week 2: Mental Health Myth VS Fact (February 1st)

In this session, we will discuss common myths about mental health and empower participants with facts. We will also brainstorm strategies for generating donations for the goody bag project.

Week 3: Prevalence and Prevention (February 8th)

This session will focus on learning about the prevalence of a few common mental health issues as well as prevention and early intervention for mental health. Our Relief Goody Bag drive will begin this week.

Week 4: How to Help (February 15th)

This session will introduce youth to Mental Health First Aid, a training and research program founded in Australia, and youth will learn the MHFA action plan "ALGEE." The Relief Goody Bag drive will continue through this week.

Week 5: Volunteering and Mental Health (February 22nd)

During this session, we will discuss ways that volunteering can have a positive impact on mental health as we also begin sorting and assembling donations from the drive. This session will be in-person if conditions allow. Location TBD.

Week 6: Mascot for Mental Health (March 1st)

This final week, we will review what we have learned, create a "mental health mascot," and complete assembly of the Relief Goody Bags so they can be delivered to healthcare workers. This session will be in-person if conditions allow. Location TBD.

Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Deadline: January 29

Student Leaders are awarded paid summer internships with local nonprofits--like YVCHR!-- and participate in a national leadership conference in Washington, D.C. The Student Leaders Summit focuses on skill building and creating a more civically engaged society. This is a truly worthwhile and highly rewarding program that Bank of America offers each year to competitive high school juniors and seniors.

As a Student Leader, participants learn first-hand about the needs of their community and the critical role nonprofits play. They are also connected to a network of peers and professionals across the country, expanding future service and career opportunities.

Please note the application requirements and be sure to obtain a letter of recommendation as soon as possible. YVCHR would love to host another Student Leader this summer and encourages all interested juniors and seniors to apply!

Click here to access the Student Leaders Application

Make your tax-deductible donation to YVCHR by clicking here!