Women+girls (W+g) L.I.F.E.
Encouraging Virginia's Women+girls to Love+Inquire+Flourish+Enduree
| |
Prioritizing Saving Lives on National Fentanyl Awareness Day | |
CLICK ABOVE to watch the Fentanyl Awareness Day event at Stafford High and the First Lady's interview with LNN USA. Official photo by Christian Martinez. | |
Sporting an "I Hate Fentanyl" t-shirt, the First Lady joined the Governor and others across the Commonwealth in numerous activities to build awareness of the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. Issuing Executive Order 26, the Governor bolstered efforts across government to combat an opioid overdose epidemic that has seen deaths double since 2015 in Virginia. Then, with flags flying at half staff in honor of lives lost, the First Lady and Governor met with Virginia mothers who have lost children to fentanyl. Throughout the day, health department officials in all parts of Virginia put on more than 60 trainings showing how to administer life-saving naloxone to reverse opioid overdose. | |
|
|
Recognizing Our Law Enforcement Heroes and the Families that Support Them
During Virginia Police Week, the Governor and First Lady participated in the law enforcement memorial service at Richmond's Public Safety Memorial, alongside Lt. Governor Sears, Attorney General Miyares and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Mosier. They also participated in the Virginia Beach Police Department's annual police memorial event.
In recognition of Memorial Day, check back at the First Lady's website for an upcoming Sisterhood Spotlight in honor of Gold Star Families.
| | | |
Staying Focused on Foster Moms
Thank you to the foster moms and families across Virginia who nurture and protect children in need of a temporary home. During May, the First Lady invited foster mothers to the Executive Mansion for a robust discussion. Additionally, she joined the Governor to recognize Foster Care Awareness Month, signing bills to streamline and standardize the process of bringing a child into a safe, supportive home -- and provide young adults with a safe place to live during the holidays while they pursue a college degree -- and recognizing the Safe and Sound Task Force. Finally, read the First Lady's brand-new Sisterhood Spotlight feature on a Virginia foster mother.
| |
Girls on the Run serves children with all needs and backgrounds. Click to learn more. | Championing Girls Through Running | The First Lady met with members of Girls on the Run of Greater Richmond at the Executive Mansion. Through a running-based curriculum, Girls on the Run emphasizes self empowerment, mental health and wellness and focuses on enhancing participants' social, emotional and physical skills to navigate life. | |
Pictured: The First Lady with members of the Virginia Department of Health. | Find Mental Health Resources at the First Lady's Refreshed Website | In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, visit firstlady.virginia.gov to view a collection of government resources, free programs and nonprofits that marry with the First Lady’s efforts to Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia’s Women+girls. Find adult and child mental health support, where to get fentanyl test strips, a health department locator and more. | |
Pictured: The First Lady visited with women business and community leaders in Hampton Roads. | Women Gather in Hampton Roads to Encourage One Another | As part of an ongoing effort to meet with and listen to women, the First Lady joined around 100 women and girls in Hampton Roads to report on her initiative, Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia's Women+girls. Fostering "Sisterhood" and a better understanding of government initiatives and resources, she will take part in more such events across Virginia this year. Email the First Lady with your name, email and mailing address with interest. | |
WATCH: The Governor and First Lady celebrated the opening of Petersburg's new playground. | Supporting Youth Development with Playgrounds | Thank you to the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, KABOOM! and the Petersburg YMCA for your commitment to Petersburg's children. The Governor and First Lady celebrated the opening of the new playground at the Petersburg YMCA -- a playground designed by kids that will contribute to the development of essential social and emotional skills for youth in Petersburg. | |
Pictured: The First Lady visited classrooms during Teacher Appreciation Week. | See If Your Family Qualifies For Learning Acceleration Funds! | In March, the Governor announced $30 million in Learning Acceleration Grants for qualifying education services to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Virginia students' educational progress and well-being. Applications are currently being accepted from qualifying Virginia parents, tutors and providers. | |
Pictured: The Governor and First Lady visited Cameron's Coffee & Chocolates in April, which provides permanent employment opportunities for young adults living with disabilities. | Do You Know About Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation? | Learn more about the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services' Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation program, which helps individuals with disabilities find and retain jobs, increasing their ability to live independently in their communities. | |
Pictured: The Governor, First Lady and Lt. Governor attended the VCRC's opening earlier this year. | |
First Lady Focus on the Partnership for Petersburg
The new Virginia Community Resource Center in Petersburg provides the community with essential benefit services, including information on veterans programs, career workshops and job search resources, daycare applications, educational services, affordable housing and case management services and more.
Learn More
| | |
Click to learn more about Capital Caring's robotic companion pets. | Capital Caring Health incorporates companion robotic pets in care plans for veterans, patients with dementia and pediatric patients. The pets respond to sight, sound and touch like real pets and have been known to improve patients' daily lives. | |
Top: Field Trip in Riverbend Park by Joyce Lee depicting the bluebells in springtime at Riverbend Park in Great Falls. Bottom: The Governor and First Lady welcomed Asian community and business leaders to the Executive Mansion in honor of AAPI Heritage Month. | In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, learn about artist Joyce Lee's Field Trip in Riverbend Park, the first piece painted by an Asian American Virginian to hang in the Executive Mansion. | |
If you haven't signed up to receive this newsletter: CLICK HERE | |
Enjoying Women+girls (W+g) L.I.F.E.? Share this email with 10 friends! Click below. | | | | |
