Valentina first joined the SCAN Board of Young Professionals in 2021 and quickly jumped in with volunteer activities and BYP events. She is currently serving as the SCAN Blue and White Ball Chair this year. We value Valentina's dedication, perspective, and leadership and are thankful to have her as part of SCAN and the BYP!

How did you first get involved with SCAN?

I was looking for ways to get involved in public health by volunteering in my community and was forwarded the BYP application from a colleague who thought SCAN would be a good fit. I am so so glad he did! 

What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role?

I am in public health, specifically health care policy. I worked as a policy analyst for a few years and am now a full time PhD student in health care policy research at VCU. Someone close to me struggled with their child a few years ago and some of the work SCAN focuses on could have really helped them and that sparked my interest in volunteering for organizations that focus on children's wellbeing. I wanted to, in any way I could, be a part of an organization that helped kids and parents become their best selves. 

What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN?

SCAN truly helps all kids. SCAN was recently looking for a new employee to better support their Hispanic children. They hired a qualified Latina! As a Hispanic woman myself, I understand the importance of representation. Giving my time to an equitable organization matters to me. SCAN has my vote! 

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

SCAN is involved with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). This is truly a life changing program for so many children. Aside from all the work SCAN does for a community, I don't think many know that SCAN is constantly recruiting new CASA volunteers! 

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

Holiday Shop! BYP hosts Holiday Shop in December to bring holiday cheer to the families they serve. It is so fun for us as volunteers to decorate and give out gifts during a time we all deserve some extra love. 

Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN?

I hope this year's Blue and White Ball is the biggest ever and that new people are introduced to SCAN's work through this fun event. 

Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?

I am on the board of the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network. We aid high school aged Hispanic kids reach their higher education goals. We offer renewable scholarships and host various programs throughout the year to expose Hispanic students to all things college! 

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I speak three languages! 

Blue and White Ball Tickets Now on Sale

Join us for the return of the Blue and White Ball.

A live band, silent auction, and delicious selection of food and drink will ensure a fantastic event, and all for a good cause.

Now Available

$85 per person

Ticket price includes one cocktail drink ticket, open beer and wine bar,

and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

All proceeds benefit SCAN's mission to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect throughout the Greater Richmond area by protecting children,

promoting positive parenting, strengthening families and creating a community that values and cares for its children.

Check out the pictures from the 2023 Blue and White Ball (A Night of Masquerade) here.

Thank you for Supporting SCAN's Holiday Shop

Every year SCAN’s Holiday Shop empowers parents and celebrates

families through the magic of the holidays. Families involved in SCAN’s programs have the opportunity to attend.



With the help of partners and supporters like you, we were able to

bring the magic of the holidays to over 250 children! This year families enjoyed crafts and activities and visited with Santa. Due to community support we were also able to offer a gift for caregivers.

Thank you to everyone that helped make this possible including CoStar Group, Brown Edwards, Anna Julia Cooper School, Troutman Pepper, The Richmond Christmas Mother, the many volunteers, numerous individual donors, and many more! Your support helped make the holidays magical for the children served by Greater Richmond SCAN.

A huge thank you to the SCAN Board of Young Professionals who coordinated and hosted this event for SCAN families!

Thank you to The PACE of Richmond!

We are grateful for the generosity and commitment of The Pace of Richmond real estate team. They recently contributed $10,000 toward SCAN's mission of protecting children, promoting positive parenting, strengthening families, and creating a community that values and cares for its children.

We were honored to have their team visit our Child Advocacy Center in December to learn more about this critical work. Get a glimpse into their visit and our Henrico Child Advocacy Center with this wonderful video created by the Pace of Richmond.

SCAN Advice Featured in Richmond Family Magazine

SCAN's Community Programs Director, Lucy Rimington, answers a reader question in the latest Richmond Family Magazine about what to do if you are out and see another parent struggling or a child in an unsafe situation. She also addresses how to connect with friends and family who may be struggling.

"All families experience stress. All parents need a helping hand from time to time to help manage that stress. High levels of stress can cause even the most nurturing parents to struggle with the daily demands of parenting. How can we tell when friends or family need us to reach out?"



Read the full article in the latest Richmond Family Magazine or online here.

Support SCAN through the River City Half Marathon and 5k!

The upcoming Virginia Credit Union River City Half Marathon & River City 5k presents an extraordinary chance for the Richmond community to come together, lace up our shoes and log miles for a purpose.

Greater Richmond SCAN is one of the charity partners of the Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k and your involvement is crucial in raising vital funds for us. Please consider getting involved by:

• Registering for the Virginia Credit Union River City Half Marathon or 5k and making a donation to Greater Richmond SCAN when you register.

• Supporting through the SCAN fundraising page.

Interested in running/walking the event and fundraising for Greater Richmond SCAN? We can provide you with a free entry to fundraise for us. Reach out to Kasey Brach for more details.

Thank You Mustaches for Kids Richmond!

Greater Richmond SCAN is honored to be a longtime M4K Richmond beneficiary and partner. We were able to celebrate the 2023 growing season last week at the wrap up beneficiary check presentation and social.



The commitment to children in our community and the fun and heart that they infuse into everything they do is truly inspiring. SCAN is endlessly thankful for the support of M4K Richmond, which has helped to protect children, strengthen families, and build a more resilient community.

Protecting Children and Teens from Sextortion

SCAN's Board of Directors was grateful to have Special Agent Matt Marasco and Victim Specialist Donna Mixner with the FBI Richmond Field Office speak at their November Board meeting on current local and national trends in child exploitation crimes such as sextortion. They also shared more about their work with SCAN's Child Advocacy Center to help victims of these crimes and their families. SCAN offers forensic interviews, family advocacy services, and ongoing trauma-focused treatment therapy services to children and teens involved in these cases.

Sextortion is a growing form of online blackmail that may target children and teens through online gaming and social media platforms.

Learn more about sextortion, tips to share with your kids about staying safe, and what to do if you or a friend has experienced sextortion from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website and video below.

Sip and Shop with Keva Style

Learn more and RSVP here

Thank you to Congregation Beth Ahabah for their donation of snacks and supplies to support SCAN's programs!

Thank you to the Children's Ministry at St. James's for their donation of craft supplies for Circle Preschool.

A huge thank you to the Robins Foundation, the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation, Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, Dominion Energy, Colonial Webb, Women of St. Stephen's, and St. Edward Catholic Church for their recent grants and financial support of Greater Richmond SCAN's work with children, families, and communities!

We are also hugely grateful to the Shops at 5807, Kendra Scott - Short Pump, Connect Local for holding events to support SCAN during the holiday season!

Greater Richmond SCAN's CASA Program

Expands to Petersburg

Having served children in the City of Richmond since 1990, SCAN's CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program is in the process of expanding to serve children in both the City of Richmond and the City of Petersburg. Our winter training class is underway and we are now recruiting volunteers willing to become CASAs in Richmond or Petersburg for our Spring 2024 training class to start in April.

SCAN's CASA program currently has 57 children on the waitlist in need of an advocate. You can help advocate so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in our community can have a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more here and reach out to Sarah-Keel Crews,

Volunteer Coordinator, with questions.

Resilience Film Screening

February 1, 2024

1:00-2:20pm EST via Zoom

Resilience is a one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress.

View the official trailer here.

Register Here

Introduction to Trauma & Trauma Informed Care

February 15, 2024

2:00-4:00pm 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 Here

Trauma-Informed Strategies

February 21, 2024

10:00-12:00pm EST via Zoom 

This training will provide a brief review of trauma and its impacts as well as introduce the 6 Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach. Using these principles, participants will learn strategies for creating physical & psychological safety, developing collaborative & supportive relationships, empowering others through voice & choice, and addressing systems of oppression.

Register Here

Trauma in the Black Community

February 22, 2024

6:00-7:00pm EST via Zoom

Introductory training of the complex trauma in the African American community. Join us to understand and process complex trauma and build resilience.

Register Here

Overcoming Adversity & Building Resilience

February 27, 2024

12:00-2:00pm EST via Zoom

This training will provide a brief review of trauma and its impacts as well as introduce the 7 Cs of building resilience. Participants will learn about adverse and positive childhood experiences as well as strategies for building individual and community resilience.

Register Here

Stewards of Children (In-Person)

February 29, 2024

6:00-8:30pm EST In-Person at the Henrico CAC (2006 Bremo Rd, Ste 102, Richmond, VA 23226)

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.

Sign up for this in-person training at https://forms.gle/X4C9LSRq2pFxazme8

*Some of these trainings are eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) from the National Association of Social Workers. Check SCAN's training page for details.