Words from Worsley

Dr. Worsley serves as the Deputy County Administrator for Human Services, each month he highlights important topics that are relevant to the work being done in the Human Services Division.

April is National Volunteer Month and it’s a month dedicated to promoting and celebrating volunteerism. Check out Opportunities for Volunteering that are available throughout the county. Find a place where you can plug in and share your efforts for a small amount of time that will make a big lasting impression on your community. National Volunteer Week was first held in 1943 in Canada. National Volunteer Week debuted in 1974 in the United States and then spread to a month long celebration to those who give countless hours to the betterment of mankind and their communities.

Chesterfield County offers county employees the opportunity to volunteer 24 hours each year to give back to their community during their normal work hours.

Members of our Human Services Directors and Staff have committed to several different times during the year to volunteer at different events in the county. Most recently we helped with the Senior Box Lunch delivery at the Chesterfield Food Bank and we were able to interact with citizens as they made their way thru the check in points. And, I was able to participate in March for Meals with Supervisors Carroll and Ingle and deliver meals to resident’s homes. What a blessing to be able to assist those that need a hand up and be able to help build a stronger community. And, did you know that volunteering makes people happy and has been shown that it reduces depression? It’s a win-win situation to help those in need, but the individual volunteering is a happier and more positive individual and volunteering helps to recharge our sometimes very run down batteries. And, it encourages active volunteerism in generations to come.

Thanks for the parts you play every day in helping those around you in our community. Encourage your teammates today to find an activity to volunteer and participate in and why not make it a team effort. Enjoy April and all that is has to offer!

Picture Above: Members of the Human Services Team volunteering at Chesterfield Food Bank. Picture Below: Dr. Worsley, Mr. Carroll and Mr. Ingle volunteering with Meals on Wheels.

Human Services

ICMA Grant Awarded

Chesterfield County, VA is 1 of 10 communities across the US chosen for the Economic Mobility and Opportunity Cohort. Grant received thanks to the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Economic Mobility and Opportunity (EMO) program.

Social Services, Economic Development and Citizen Information and Resources will coordinate this grant to serve residents in a variety of ways to increase economic mobility. More on the grant can be found here.

Citizen Information and Resources

Teen Summit RVA

Teen Summit RVA is the first of its kind leadership summit designed by and for teens to amplify their voices about the things that matter to them. Teen Summit RVA took place on Saturday, March 18 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Teens exchanged ideas to bring about positive change in the Richmond region. Teen Summit RVA was an opportunity for high school students from Chesterfield, Henrico, and Richmond to engage in interactive experiences that address social issues that are impacting youth today - mixed with the arts and entertainment. These experiences ranged from thought provoking conversations led by experts in their field to art and spoken word as a means of expression. In addition to the mix of art and entertainment experiences, teens were able to explore various vendors and employers in the InspireYouth@Work Regional Summer Opportunity Fair presented by Virginia Career Works.

Work Bridge Program

Youth Services and Communities in Schools worked to create a Workforce Bridge Program that allowed students to explore career interest, develop interview skills, resume building and work life balance. The students were able to shadow Chesterfield County employees in jobs that interested them.

Mental Health and Prevention Services

Annual Awards Dinner

On March 16th, the Community Services Board has their Annual Dinner at the Meadowbrook County Club to recognize several community partners. In attendance were Mr. Carroll, Mr. Ingle, and Dr. Worsley together with CSB and MHSS Leadership Team.