Ashley Ek Shares Experience as CPP Lead Teacher
How did you first get involved with SCAN?
I began with SCAN as a Therapeutic Aide in the Circle Preschool Program’s older classroom during the summer of 2021. After many of our children graduated from the program that summer, I was offered the Lead Teacher position of the older classroom, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. I excitedly accepted the position and looked forward to the new, as well as the returning friends as well as a fun school year!
 
What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role?
I attended VCU and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree in 2016. My mission, and passion, in life has always been to be able to help others in any way that I could, whether it be big or small. After graduating, I worked in the mental health field for 4.5 years through day supports, residential homes, and sponsored homes before my desire to work with children led me to a pre-kindergarten teacher role at Primrose Schools. One day, I stumbled upon a job opening at CPP and upon reading the job description, realized that it combined both of my passions into one role! I started as a Therapeutic Aide in one of the classrooms and am now currently the Lead Teacher in CPP’s Pond Room.
 
What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN?
I truly and wholeheartedly love what I do and the impact that it makes on the children we serve. Some of our children come into our program feeling they are not accepted or that something is wrong with them due to the trauma they have gone through. Getting to see them come in every day, their smiles a little bigger than before and confidence shining brighter and brighter each day, truly is what keeps me going. They have gone through so much at their young age and life has been so unfair to them, but seeing them finally feeling accepted and knowing that they are truly cared about is the best feeling in the world!
 
Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?
I wish that everyone could know about the impact that the organization has had and how they have changed lives! Working firsthand with some of the children we serve every day, I can truly see and feel what a difference SCAN has made!
 
What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?
The best, but also one of the hardest, experiences with SCAN so far was when our children from the 2021-2022 school year graduated. Being that it was the first class I had the honor of being the Lead Teacher with, I watched them grow and bloom as the year went on. I witnessed them grow not only physically, but also grow in their kindness, care, and confidence in one another and within their own selves. We wrapped up the year with a graduation performance of, “On My Way,” by Phil Collins. Every word of the song felt more emotional that day!
 
What are any challenges you have faced in your work with SCAN?
One of the most challenging parts about the work we do is just hearing and witnessing some of the effects that trauma has had on our kids. It’s so hard to hear kids of any age, let alone 3-5 year olds, speaking negatively of themselves because of decisions others have made.
 
Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN?
I hope that all the programs continue to grow and continue to touch the lives of our young ones and their caregivers!
 
Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?
Outside of work, I am focusing a lot of time on my family as we have unfortunately suffered the loss of many family members over that past couple of years. During my free time, I am making sure to spend lots of quality time with them, just enjoying being in one another’s presence.
 
What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
Something surprising about me is that when I was younger, I used to be scared of dogs, big or small! I now have a Pitbull/Australian Cattle Dog mix who I cannot imagine life without!
SCAN Circle Preschool Program Tour Video
Get a glimpse into SCAN's Circle Preschool Program
and the work they do with our new tour video. A special thanks to Kendall Cole and Paris Lape for creating this video.
Richmond CASA Seeks Volunteer Advocates
Could you be a child's voice?

Richmond CASA is looking for volunteers to advocate for children in the court system who have been abused or neglected.

We are now accepting applications for our Spring Training Class
that begins on April 25th.

For questions about applying or to get more information about Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), contact Sarah-Keel Crews at volunteers@grscan.com or 804-646-5184.
SCAN Blue & White Ball
Thank you to all the sponsors, auction donors, guests, volunteers and partners that made SCAN's 2023 Blue and White Ball possible!

A special thank you to our Board of Young Professionals for planning such a stellar event and raising over $24,000 for SCAN's services.

Pictures from the event take by Victor Carias can be found HERE.
Save the Date for Resilience Week 2023
The Building Resilient Communities Conference will be held virtually during the fourth annual Resilience Week Virginia on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The conference is sponsored and hosted by Greater Richmond SCAN with the support of Virginia's Trauma Informed Networks. It will highlight and celebrate the networks.
Join SCAN'S Board of Young Professionals
Are you between the age of 22 and 35 and looking to get more involved with Greater Richmond SCAN? Our Board of Young Professionals is accepting applications for membership for our 22-23 year through May 15!

This group of kind and passionate individuals serves as advocates for SCAN, coordinates events for children and families that come to SCAN for services, raises funds and
increases awareness about our programs, and participates in
 social events and volunteer opportunities.

Find more information and download the application on our website or email Sarah at smersereau@grscan.com with questions or to express interest.
Thank You!

A special thank you to The Veil Brewing Co for recently hosting a Richmond CASA info and Give Back Night and a SCAN staff gathering. We appreciate your support of our work!
Additional Upcoming Trainings & Screenings
The Importance of Building Long-Lasting Relationships on the Road to Self-Sustainability
March 29, 2023
10:00-11:00 am EST via Zoom
Join Greater Richmond SCAN's Behavioral Health Community Organizer, Tamika Daniel, for a virtual interactive conversation based on her own life experience.
Register at bit.ly/RelatMar
 
Stewards of Children (In-Person)
 March 30, 2023
6:00-8:00 pm at the Richmond YWCA (6 N. Fifth St. Richmond, VA) 
Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with child sexual abuse survivors, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities.
 
Cultivating Authentic Community Engagement
April 4, 2023
10:00- 11:30 am EST via Zoom
Guided by her lived and professional experience, Behavioral Health Community Organizer Tamika Daniel facilitates this supportive workshop for organizations to discuss how to engage community voice with authenticity and intentionality.
Register at bit.ly/CulApril

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
April 13, 2023
12 Noon-2 pm EST via Zoom 
This training provides a foundational learning experience around the topics of trauma and trauma-informed care. We will define trauma, discuss the many types of trauma/adversity, explore the impact of trauma on the brain and behavior, introduce resilience, and discuss SAMHSA’s 4 Rs of trauma-informed care. Throughout the presentation, we will share useful tools and techniques.
Register at bit.ly/ITTICApr

Self Care & Wellness
April 19, 2023
10:00-11:30 am EST via Zoom
This training will help participants develop an understanding of how stress and trauma affect our state of well-being. We will explore wellness and self-care practices and tools that help promote emotional regulation, compassion, empathy, and calm in our environments. In addition, we will examine ways to create healthy boundaries to establish safe and positive relationships with the self and with others.
Register at bit.ly/SCWApr
 
Pushout Screening and Discussion
April 20, 2023
1:00-3:00 pm EST via Zoom
PUSHOUT is a feature length documentary that takes a close look at the educational, judicial, and societal disparities facing Black girls. Inspired by the groundbreaking book of the same name by renowned scholar, Monique W. Morris, Ed.D. The documentary confronts the ways in which the misunderstanding of Black girlhood has led to excessive punitive discipline, which in turn disrupts one of the most important factors in their lives, their education.
Register at bit.ly/PushApr

**Some of these trainings qualify for continuing education credits National Association of Social Workers Virginia chapter. See individual registration link for details.
SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers are in need of snack donations. Snacks are offered to children who arrive at our Child Advocacy Centers for forensic interviews, families advocacy services, and trauma-focused treatment therapy.

Contact SCAN at 804-25-7226 to coordinate a snack donation drop off or send a donation directly through our Amazon Wishlist.

Thank you for your support!
Protect a Child today with a gift to SCAN's Annual Fund.
Greater Richmond SCAN | 804-257-7226 | www.grscan.com