Chronicle SPRING 2018
An Event-Filled Spring
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hat do a red carpet, a musical concert, a 10k run, and an Irish festival have in common? CCC of course!
From a red-carpet event in Richmond to a multi-cultural musical event in Williamsburg, CCC was involved in several events this spring that brought awareness of the many clients we serve every day and the many people who help make that happen. Every May, CCC participates in National Foster Care Awareness Month. Each year, the foster care team in Richmond recognizes, with a special dinner, the foster parents who open their home and their hearts to foster children. This year’s recognition was a red-carpet event at the Pastoral Center of Richmond on Thursday, May 17.
“Foster parents were presented with mini-Oscars for their award-winning roles as CCC foster parents,” said Bebe Tran, Foster Parent specialist who coordinated the event. “Our foster parents were invited to wear Hollywood attire which they really embraced!” CCC staff also got into the spirit of the evening serving as waiters with bow-ties made by Tran. The catered dinner was lovingly and deliciously prepared by Board Member and Chair of the Commonwealth Human Services Foundation, Kathy Mortensen, her sister-in-law Kathy Mortensen (yes, they share the same name!), and Donald Miller, CCC Development Manager. “Everyone raved about the dinner,” said Jennifer Ward, Program Manager CCC Foster Care Services. “It’s a meaningful time for us to be able to thank these foster parents who have so much love. It’s our chance to shower them with our love and gratitude.” continued
JENNIFER WARD FOSTER CARE STAFF MEAL PREPARERS
www.cccofva.org • Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.
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The Richmond Foster Care staff partnered with local coffee shops, Stir Crazy and Rostov’s Coffee and Tea, to spread the word about the need for foster parents. Specially-designed CCC coffee sleeves were used throughout the month of May to encourage patrons to consider becoming a foster parent.
CCC’s Foster Care program in the Roanoke area also recruited for foster parents in May. A series of ads ran in the Franklin News-Post.
is there room for one more at your table... and in your heart?
The next time you prepare a meal, consider that one more plate could provide a healthy serving of security, stability, and love for a child or teen in foster care. Learn more! cccofva.org 540.342.0411
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fundraiser in Williamsburg on April 21 took on a musical interpretation through a concert of Middle Eastern music. The concert, Refugees Welcome! Music for a Better World, featured the College of William & Mary’s Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. The featured violinist, Imad Al Taha, is a refugee from Iraq. The concert was the creation of Anne Rasmussen, Professor of Music and Ethnomusicology and Director of the W&M Middle Eastern Music Ensemble at the college. Rasmussen became involved with CCC when she was introduced to Suheir Diyab, CCC Refugee Resettlement Supervisor, Hampton Roads. The two recognized a mutual passion of support for refugees and have stayed connected.
“People wanted to volunteer, donate and see how they could help. And they all heard about us from working with Anne and her group,” said Diyab. “Refugees need help and guidance to acclimate to totally different systems here; Anne is so helpful and supportive, connecting people with people.”
Refugees Welcome! A Concert in Celebration of our New Neighbors Saturday, April 21, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Kimball Theater The William and Mary Middle Eastern Music Ensemble with Imad Al Taha, Iraqi violinist, arranger, composer, guest artist and Rumput of Richmond performing Kroncong (popular stringband music of Indonesia) featuring Danis Sugiyanto, Fulbright Artist and Teacher in Residence, from Central Java, Indonesia
Rasmussen’s efforts helped build local awareness about CCC.
The concert is organized in cooperation with Commonwealth Catholic Charities, the only refugee resettlement agency in the Hampton Roads/Williamsburg area. Concert proceeds and on-site donations benefit this local program that has been settling refugees fleeing wars, violence, and persecution for over 40 years. Tickets Students: $5.00 Seniors, W&M Faculty & Staff: $10.00 General Public: $15.00 Available at the Kimball Theater Box Office kimball.wm.edu | 800.249.0179
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Volunteers received special gifts for their tea time at home.
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n the weekend following Saint Patrick's Day, CCC participated in the Church Hill Irish Festival in Richmond.
"It was a great way to connect with our neighbors and be part of the community," said Donald Miller, CCC Development Manager. Staff and volunteers manned the booth and enjoyed the many picture-taking opportunities with our lucky leprechaun!
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he annual Monument Avenue 10k Run in Richmond took place Saturday, April 14 and CCC was represented by CCC Guardianship specialist, Kelly Farthing, and her family, and CCC Board Members, John Dane and Chris Thomas. “When people saw our shirts, they stopped us to thank CCC for all the good we do in the community,” said Farthing. “It felt great to be representing CCC and to hear such positive feedback.”
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ave you noticed our versatile ? Our runs, speaks French and even loves Star Wars! Connects to all sorts of Community events and Celebrations. Hmmm….three Cs, what a coincidence!
ATHLETE
NOTEWORTHY FEEDBACK CCC’s counseling staff conducts regular surveys of their clients for input of services received. A year-long review indicated that 99% of clients rated their services as Very Good or Good. Here’s a sampling of their comments: • “Enjoyed meeting other people knowing that I’m not alone.” • “This program is the best thing that could ever happen to me. It has affected my life in a positive way and
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bettered my attitude and my emotions. The way that I think now is unbelievably good.” • “The counseling services have changed my overall look at life.” CCC offers counseling for adults, children, couples and families. Services cover a variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, marital problems, grief and domestic violence. Counselors also help clients with anger management issues or those who have a solicitation addiction or who shoplift. Counseling services are provided in
Richmond, Norton, and Charlottesville. Services in Richmond and Charlottesville are available for Spanish-speaking clients. Two play therapy rooms in Richmond are used for children’s services. Information on all of CCC’s Counseling Services can be found at www.cccofva.org/counseling-services.
CCC Welcomes New Board Members
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he start of a new board term brings new faces with fresh ideas and valuable contributions. At its annual meeting held in April, new board members were elected to CCC and to the Human Services Foundation.
The new members of the Agency Board of Directors are Colleen R. Berry, Chip Casola, and Deacon Francis Nelson, Jr. Colleen R. Berry is a senior financial executive and is a CPA. Berry serves on the Audit Committee and is a member at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Richmond. Chip Casola is an attorney with the law firm of Wood Rogers PLC in Roanoke. Casola serves on the CCC Regional Advisory Committee for Roanoke. He is also on the Board of Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley, President of the Roanoke Bar Association and former Chair of the Roanoke Law Foundation. Casola is a member of Our Lady of Nazareth in Roanoke. Deacon Francis Nelson, Jr. is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. Deacon Nelson serves on the Office of Black Catholics Advisory Board and the Office of Christian Formation Advisory Board. Deacon Nelson is assigned to Holy Rosary Parish in Richmond and is particularly interested in program services offered to individuals and families. The following board members will be serving an additional three-year term: • • • • • •
Mary Margaret Kastelberg - Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Richmond Tunlih Le - Church of Vietnamese Martyrs, Richmond Kathleen M. McCauley - Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Richmond Monica Molony - Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Jonesville Paul Sinclair - Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Richmond David Whitehead - Saint Bridget Catholic Church, Richmond
The new members of the Commonwealth Human Services Foundation Board of Directors are Evan Lamont Curbeam and Lloyd Dunnavant. Evan Curbeam is the owner of The Curbeam Insurance Agency, LLC. He serves on the CHSF Holiday Festival of Music Committee and is a member of Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Richmond. Lloyd Dunnavant is the Executive Director/Co-owner of OB Hospitalists, Inc. in Richmond. He is on the Board Development Committee and is a member of Saint Bridget Catholic Church in Richmond. Chronicle • Spring 2018 | 7
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www.cccofva.org