Showcase Magazine September 2016 by Andrew Brooks Media Group

PRESENTED BY THE INTERNS OF DANVILLE REGIONAL FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY AWARENESS ISSUE

Almegro Cardinal Village Cedar Terrace

Glenwood North Main Schoolfield

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ON THE The Community Awareness Issue presented by the interns of Danville Regional Foundation Photos by Louise Goodfellow

FEA TURES

ALSO INSIDE

DEPARTMENTS

ART & WONDER

FROM THE EDITOR

HE SAID SHE SAID Diet Soda Rehab

In Martinsville

By Larry Oldham and Dena Hill

by Bernadette Moore & Jennifer Doss

PAWS FOR THE CAUSE

NOT SO COMMON – COMMON SENSE!

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

By Paulette Dean

A Perspective on Public Schools

14 Rehabilitation 16 Volunteering

by Stan Jones

Cardinal Village

18 Optimism

Cedar Terrace

20 Roots

30 Education

22 Fatherhood

32 Mentorship

24 Faith

34 Compassion

26 Commitment

36 Rebirth

Cedar Terrace Glenwood Almagro North Main

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North Main

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In this issue, the reigns to Showcase have been handed to the interns at Danville Regional Foundation. Special thanks go to Louise Goodfellow, Alex Dandridge, and Jennifer Rangel who led the team, Wendi Goods Everson who guided the interns on their many projects, and the Danville Regional Foundation for allowing us to be a part of the special program they run each summer.

Guest Editor: Louise Goodfellow In this issue of Showcase Magazine, we hope to engage you with some beautiful stories. This summer I’ve worked with nine other interns at the Danville Regional Foundation, and we’ve had the privilege of really getting to know Danville. Its history, its communities, and its people have shaped our work this summer. For that, we are grateful. Here, we want to share with you some stories - stories of people that have inspired us, moved us, made us think in different ways, and shown us what it truly looks like to do a lot with a little. As you dive into these stories, it’s our hope that you learn just a little more about the fabric of different neighborhoods in Danville, and that you are just as encouraged as we have been in meeting these people. To the people featured in this issue: thank you for sharing a part of your lives with us, and for allowing us to share your stories. “A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other’s lives. It is the knowledge that people have of each other, their concern for each other, their trust in each other, the freedom with which they come and go among themselves.” -Wendell Berry from “The Loss of the Future” in The Long-Legged House (1969) Wendell Berry writes wonderfully compelling pieces about community – about the joy of shared places, the mysticism of truly knowing another, the necessity of life together. But very few times have I encountered an embodiment of this kind of community. A community that is more than an emotion or a buzzword, but community as a verb, a lifestyle. Grace and Main Fellowship embodies this kind of community. Grace and Main began as a group of friends meeting to share food, thought, and one another. This community has

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grown into a ministry that invites all who are willing to come. Grace and Main does not have a building; their spaces are the areas they occupy – their urban farm, the six hospitality houses around the city, the porches they sit on for coffee in the mornings, and the homes they meet at on Sunday evenings for prayer and fellowship. Grace and Main is committed to hospitality, peace, the teachings of Jesus, imitation of the early Church, and living simply. Joshua and Jessica, Matt, Bruce, Mr. James, just to name a few - you all have taught me much this summer, some of which I’d like to share here. I’ve learned about different types of poverty – poverty is not always one of material resources. There is emotional and spiritual poverty; there is poverty of agency where the system seems to suck in people; even poverty of theory. In seeking to alleviate one, we must not impose another. Things must start by relation. It is in relationships with people that we grow, that we make places better, that we learn how to make things better. Knowing your neighbor is the best security system that one could have. A solution borne out of dominance, without asking those whom it affects, is in and of itself, violent. Gardening is good for the soul.

Showcase STAFF

SEPTEMBER 2016

CEO / Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks, scott@showcasemagazine.com President Larry Oldham, larry@showcasemagazine.com Editorial Director Paul Seiple, paul@showcasemagazine.com Guest Editors Taleia Barksdale, Alex Berryman, Alex Dandridge, Louise Goodfellow, Will Mackaman, Jennifer Rangel, Curtis Rowlette Graphic Designer Kim Demont, demontdesign@verizon.net Finance Manager Cindy Astin, cindy@showcasemagazine.com ADVERTISING 1.877.638.8685 Larry Oldham, Director of Sales and Marketing larry@showcasemagazine.com, 434.728.3713 Lee Vogler, Marketing Consultant lee@showcasemagazine.com, 434.548.5335

CUSTOMER SERVICE

This ministry is made up of people experiencing homelessness and hunger, of people not experiencing homelessness, and of others who have experienced both. All of these people need one another. All of them are required for this community to flourish.

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Groundhogs don’t like tomatoes, but they will eat one bite out of each one, just to make sure they don’t actually like them. The ground is rich. And Interdependence is good. There are other things I could tell you about this community – the things they do on a weekly basis, the places they serve, and so on – but that I’ll leave to their website (graceandmain.org, you should check it out, seriously) and to any further research you do. I do hope though that here I’ve communicated gratitude for the people who have unknowingly been my teachers this summer, and that here I’ve encouraged you to seek out real community, along with the very real joy that comes from truly knowing, and needing, other people.

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Livinig a Home Without Making

Rachel Timm

the Wor

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Don’t miss the September 2016 issue of eVince

to the ADVERTISERS who make this publication possible. Please be generous in supporting our local businesses. 11 28 7 43 8 38 40 12 11 13 28 37 5 2 44 39 28

616 Restaurant Barkhouser Ford Lincoln Beacon Credit Union Centra Medical Group City of Danville Commonwealth Home Health Care, Inc. Danville Community College Danville Community College 50th Anniversary Danville Gastroenterology Center, PC Danville Historical Society Danville Paint & Supply Danville Parks and Recreation Danville Regional Foundation Danville Regional Medical Center Danville Toyota Demont Design Excelen Performance

9 29 29 13 8 13 29 11 28 7 38 37 38 39 41 37

Goodwill Industries of South Central Virginia, Inc. Jarrod Brown, DDS DWS KARE Pharmacy & Compounding Martinsville Henry County PATHS Piedmont Pharmacy Piney Forest Health & Rehabilitation Center Reid St. Gallery Shh... Intimacy on a New Level Southside Ice Express, llc. Southside Urology & Nephrology The Tabernacle URW Community Federal Credit Union Virginia Department of Health Wilkins & Co. Realtors Yates Home Sales

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WHEN WE EMBRACE DIVERSITY, WE BUILD A

STRONGER DANVILLE. Studies show that diversity helps broaden children's social networks by creating opportunity for interaction across racial and ethnic lines. And that in turn contributes to greater tolerance, fair-mindedness and openness. Housing discrimination deters the creation of diverse communities. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. To file a discrimination complaint or to learn more about fair housing and diverse communities, contact the City of Danville's Fair Housing Coordinator.

visit danvilleva.gov or call (434) 799-6413 FAIR HOUSING IS YOUR RIGHT, USE IT.

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HE SAID... I just wanted to let you know that I will be going away for a while. I will be in rehab for the next few months, but I hope to be back before Christmas. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but I’m addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper. The habit is so severe that I’m going to check myself into the “addicted to soft drinks” place. I don’t even know where it’s located, but I find myself craving these drinks, and I don’t know how to stop. I have always been addicted to Krispy Kreme donuts and real Cokes. This was passed down through my family genes, sort of like being addicted to Mama’s fried chicken. That’s just a given. When I was drinking the real Cokes, up to three or four a day, I still felt okay. When the doctor told me I was borderline diabetic that was my wake-up call. My grandfather drank several real Cokes a day and died at age 45 of diabetes. Getting used to diet drinks was hard for me because they leave an after taste. After the warning from the doctor, I tried water for a year to no avail. Water just doesn’t have any kick to it, and I need a jump start in the morning. Since I don’t drink coffee, I turned to diet drinks. Now I’m reading that I would be better off drinking regular sodas instead of diet drinks, because of all the chemicals. I don’t want to be ill either way, so I have decided to check myself in to a soft drink rehab center, wherever it is. I am asking for your support while I am away. If it is not too much to ask, you’ll have to make my car payments for a while.

SHE SAID... The best thing for you to do is to find this rehab center, go ahead and move there, and take your car with you. What I know, that they don’t know, is how messy you are. They are not going to put up with you leaving your clothes lying all over the place and will probably ask you to live in your car while you are there. As far as the soda’s go, diet or regular, you’re old enough to know all that sugar and all of those carbs are not good for you. I am sure your kidneys hate you with a passion because of what you put them through. Your doctor loves seeing you regularly because, he tells you what to do, and you put his advice through your filter and do what you please. I’ll give you this. You have lost weight because you are drinking the diet drinks, but I feel you would be better off drinking water like I do. Our bodies are made up mostly of water so the more you drink the healthier you become. Think of all the money you would save, and how much better the house would look without twenty cases of diet soda sitting around.

by Larry Oldham and Dena Hill photo by Michelle Dalton Photography

On the other hand if you want to get away from me and go on some “rehab drink vacation” that’s fine. But I won’t make your car payments, and I doubt very seriously the insurance company is going to pay for your addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper. Your choice—give up the soda, drink water, stay at home and save money, get healthier, be with me every night or go off to “diet soda rehab”. You have to decide. I’ll help you pack.

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Feature

of Piedmont Arts’ educational outreach, teaching tile-making workshops and helping students create permanent tile murals in all our local schools. We’re excited to bring her back to the area for this project.” The three sculptures that will be installed in the garden are Four Seasons by Ed Dolinger of Bassett (Top Left); LOVEwork ‘O’ by Jessie Ward of Martinsville; and Day In A Life by Mark Wright of Spotsylvania (Bottom Left), who is originally from the area. “Each of the works is unique,” said Moore. “Ed’s piece is a 12 foot-tall tree sculpture representing the four seasons. It will also incorporate built-in seating for visitors. Ed is working with art teacher Melissa Denning and Martinsville High School art students to plan and install his work.” Dolinger’s work is not the only piece that will allow visitors a spot to sit and reflect, however. Mark Wright’s Day In A Life will also have seating built into its brick base.

Future site of Piedmont Arts’ and the City of Martinsville’s Public Art Garden

by Bernadette Moore & Jennifer Doss

In the City of Martinsville, area partners are working together to bring a community art garden to Martinsville’s Arts & Cultural District. Piedmont Arts and the City of Martinsville have selected three sculptures to be installed in the garden this spring. Piedmont Arts’ Executive Director Kathy Rogers says the museum has chosen three artists with local ties to create the three sculptures that will be installed in the garden which will be located in the city at the corner of Mulberry Road and Starling Avenue. The garden will be situated in the heart of the cultural district nestled between Piedmont Arts, the Historic Little Post Office and the Smithsonian-affiliated Virginia Museum of Natural History. Elements of the garden are designed to work around the enormous oldgrowth trees on the property that date back to the early 1900s when The Little Post Office served as a distribution hub for the Star Route. To welcome guests to the garden, Charlottesvillebased tile artist Beryl Solla will work with area students and community members to create a mosaic tile sign. “Beryl is a wonderful artist who has completed numerous public art pieces across the Commonwealth,” said Rogers. “She has been to Martinsville-Henry County numerous times, as part

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“Mark’s piece is highly interactive,” said Moore. “It will incorporate antiques from and representations of memorable places in Martinsville-Henry County. Some of the pieces can be touched, moved and rotated, connecting the viewer to the work.” Moore also said there is more to come for the garden. One piece in particular is already slated for expansion. “Jessie’s piece is a large sphere made of heartshaped horseshoes,” said Moore. It creates a large ‘O’ and will eventually become the second letter in the museum’s own LOVEwork, a free-standing sculpture that spells out the word LOVE. Moore says these sculptures can be seen in many towns and cities in Virginia, and are an initiative of the Virginia Tourism Corporation to encourage tourism and celebrate the Commonwealth’s motto, “Virginia is for Lovers.” Piedmont Arts and the City of Martinsville plan to open the garden to the public in the spring of 2017. “Once the infrastructure is in place and all the works are installed, we will hold a free event for the community to unveil the garden,” said Rogers. “This event will allow visitors to see the new works, enjoy the outdoors and really connect with the arts in a public setting.” The Public Art Garden is funded, in part, through a $25,000 Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which was procured by the City of Martinsville in partnership with Piedmont Arts. Though the three artworks chosen for the garden are funded through the grant, Rogers said more funds are needed to make the garden a true destination. “We still need to raise additional funds to help with the installation of walkways, landscaping and maintenance – all the things that will help make the Public Art Garden feel like a welcoming and inviting space for years to come.” And, Moore added, “We will definitely be seeking grants and sponsorships for future artworks for the garden.” For more information on the Public Art Garden or to donate to the garden fund, visit PiedmontArts.org/ PublicArt.

Bourbon Tasting & cigar salon Saturday, October 8, 6 pm-9 pm

Sommelier Dave Slayton will present a selection of fine bourbons for your pleasure, complimented by refreshments and your choice of relaxing cigars.

To Celebrate our Fall Show “This is a Man’s World” and all the things our favorite men enjoy- hunting, fishing, cars, sports... local wildlife photographer, Ricky Simpson will be available to sign the 2017 Virginia Wildlife Calendar featuring his artwork on the cover. Also, local artist Terry Keatts will be debuting his wildlife series. A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit Southside Virginia Wildlife Center

$40

Limited seating - call today to reserve your seat, or visit our webpage www.reidstreetgallery.com to reserve through eventbrite

reidstreetgallery.com

24 Reid Chatham, VA Reid Street Street Gallery 434.203.8062

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Piedmont Pharmacy

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REHABILITATION photo by Louise Goodfellow

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| SEPTEMBER AUGUST 2016 2016 | www.showcasemagazine.com | www.showcasemagazine.com

by Curtis Rowlette

Barry Mayo is on a mission. He is a man that wants to give others a second chance in the area and an opportunity for a better life. As a case manager for the re-entry program at Virginia Cares Inc., which is under Pittsylvania County Community Action, he helps hundreds of former offenders with the long journey towards entering back into society. This native son is looking forward to changing lives and helping others as an asset to the community. To understand his mission one must look his past. Mayo was born and raised in Danville as one of nine siblings. He was the only male never to go to jail, and he is the only sibling to graduate in his family. Mayo came back to the school system and became a teacher and coach. “Coaching is definitely one of my passions… I run this program just like I am coaching. I expect the kids to work in practice and be the best they can be, and I expect the same for the returning offenders.” Creating change is key to Mayo’s methods and his approach to both coaching and being a case manager. Mayo challenges exoffenders to make a change. Of course, in some cases, it may take time. He sees it as a key to success not only for young kids but adults as well. Mayo’s focus on change and positivity is something that was a reflected in his change in careers from coaching to helping reintroduce ex-offenders into society. “Seeing lives changed, seeing the different ways we had to challenge the person to change,” reflects his mission. With this change, Mayo is working to change the community’s perception of returning offenders. “We need to understand that once they accepted their punishment, they received the punishment, and we need to allow them a chance to come back (into the community).” Giving ex-offenders the opportunity to prove themselves reduces recidivism, and the city and nation can be better off as a whole. Through all of this, Mayo remains focused on his family and God. “God had shown me that these are lives… and I asked him why did you choose me and he told me that you’re the best and that I would put my best foot forward.” He looks to his family as some of his mentors and inspirations. Although some of his family members are currently in jail, others are reformed. One example is his brother who spent over five years in jail. He is now an ordained minister and a plant supervisor in Danville. Mayo draws inspiration from him while working; “I not only stand for them but I stand for all others.” Barry Mayo is an asset to Danville and Southwest Virginia, helping people refocus their lives. Look for him at the second annual Job and Resource Fair on October 4th at the Community Market, which he organizes. For more information on the Job and Resource Fair contact Virginia Cares at 434.793.5627. To learn more about Virginia Cares visit www.vacares.org. www.showcasemagazine.com

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VOLUNTEERING photo by Will Mackaman

A VOLUNTEER AT THE CONSTANCE COVINGTON YOUTH CENTER

Jerrick Blackstock spends a lot of time at the Constance Covington Youth Center. Jerrick and his wife, Lakesha, volunteer at the Youth Center each day, along with about ten other regular volunteers. They help the Youth Center serve lunch and evening snacks to the children in the community. Together the adults serve as big brothers, big sisters, parents, or grandparents for the neighborhood’s children, even if unrelated by blood. “I feel like helping out my community because it’s a good thing to do, and that’s what we need here.” Jerrick lives in Cardinal Village and has been volunteering his time at the Youth

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Center for a while now, ever since he moved into the neighborhood with his family. With support from all over the city, the volunteers at the Youth Center care for the neighborhood’s children each day, morning to evening. Living in Cardinal Village, Jerrick sees the community as peaceful and quiet, although it can get rowdy. “I strive to be positive.” The Youth Center offers to help anyone and accepts anyone that is willing to help. One of the Youth Center’s missions is to keep the children in the community safe and keep them

on the right path. Much of the violence that happens in the Cardinal Village area is from outsiders who come in and start trouble with some of the residents. Although the fighting and altercations that happen in the neighborhood do not reflect the positivity taking root, violence does take its toll at times. “You can’t turn somewhere without seeing children playing or having a good time,” Jerrick says. “I look at it like, we shouldn’t put them through that and they shouldn’t be out there seeing some of the stuff some of them see. It kind of messed me up when I heard about the bad things that happened over here recently.” The community is banding together to prevent more altercations and violence from happening. The Youth Center is one of the leaders of the positive change that is happening. The neighborhood has been home to Jerrick since he was a kid. He was raised just off of Arlington and Kemper, in the Cardinal Village area. Growing up, Jerrick’s parents kept him on the right path. His mother always kept him busy. He didn’t have time even to think about the streets. Jerrick’s mom would keep him in the house reading books, studying, playing video games, or watching TV. “She was on me tough.” Jerrick wants young men in the community to know that if they need someone to talk to, they can come and talk to him. “I like talking to these young kids and letting them know what is the right way to go in life instead of stumbling off on the wrong path.” Jerrick is easy to get along with, and when he sees fit, he will offer advice to the kids in the community by breaking the situation down in a way they can understand. “I’m trying to get it in their heads that all of them can be leaders.” At the heart and soul of the Youth Center is Ms. Constance Covington, widely known as Grandma by the community. Jerrick describes her as a nice, sweet individual who does a whole lot for the community. Although she is well-known in the neighborhood, most people don’t know how she started the Youth Center. When she was living in one of the units at the complex, some kids came over to her place one day to play with her kids. She provided them a safe and comforting environment. The children kept coming back. Eventually, Grandma saw a need to create something permanent, and along with the Danville Housing Authority (DRHA) helped establish the Cardinal Village Youth Center. The facility was recently renamed the Constance Covington Youth Center in her honor. “I look at her as my own grandma,” Jerrick says. “I treat her like she’s my actual grandma. She’ll ask you if you need anything, and she’ll get it to you if she has it.” Ms. Constance has set the bar

cardinal village by Will Mackaman

high, and she builds her relationships based on kindness and trust. Those lessons weren’t lost on Jerrick. “There was one day I was in the van with Grandma. We were coming down the middle of Cardinal Village, down the hill. She turned and said, ‘Look at that. You see all the smiles on their faces?’ I went, ‘Yeah.’ That’s something I always look for now. It’s a good thing. You know, I like to see the children smile and have a good time.” But for some of the children, smiles might be harder to come by. “Sometimes we have bullies, and we try to work that out,” Jerrick says. “Sometimes I’ll just ask them if they had a good day today.” He remembers one young man who was a little rough around the edges until he began to work on his behavior at the Youth Center. “Some of these kids over here, they don’t have fathers. I try and help them along the way. I’ll tell them straight up, ‘You know you can’t do this.’ Or, ‘If someone’s messing with you, at least talk to an adult.’ Because half the time, we don’t know what these kids are going through at home. I try to treat them all the same. I guess that’s the time when they open up to me.” “I want to see everybody get along.” Jerrick hopes for people to be peaceful and respect each other. “We’re all in the same community. There isn’t any point to us arguing and fighting. It always falls back on us adults. The children see that negativity, and they think it’s OK, that they can do it, too. I just want all the adults to respect each other. Whatever they have going on or happened earlier in their life, they need to just let it go. Right now, the kids are the future. If we can’t make them safe, then how are we going to be safe?” Jerrick doesn’t like seeing the fighting and altercations because he believes it leads the children toward similar behavior. When he is done volunteering with the Youth Center in the evening, Jerrick goes home and plays with his two kids, Laquasia and Jerrick “Bo” Jr. Laquasia and Bo are regulars at the Youth Center, too, along with their mom and dad. He’ll go home in the evening and play video games or watch movies with them. “I love being a father.” Jerrick sees himself living in Danville for a while to come. For more information on the Constance Covington Youth Center, seek them out on Facebook. www.showcasemagazine.com

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OPTIMISM

(anti-bullying)

photo by Alex Dandridge

Fourteen is that age when everything gets confusing. Here we profile two teenagers who seem to have a pretty good grasp on it.

A 14-YEAR-OLD’S VOICE TO STOP BULLYING She’s known as “Senator” at the Cedar Terrace Youth Center, and it’s not hard to understand

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why. Her bright smile, contagious spirit, and passion for helping kids in her community make this girl unstoppable. Car’leyon West, a fourteen-year-old resident of Cedar Place, is a voice against bullying in her community, as well as an inspiration to people young and old. “In elementary school, I used to get bullied really bad, so I know how it feels,” she says. “That’s what inspired me to talk about bullying and to help other people who are

being bullied.” West is full of advice for kids in her generation, encouraging people to embrace their individuality and to remain positive even in the face of hardship. “I try to tell kids they can always talk to me. I tell them that people bully them because you’re doing good, and people wanna be like them, or you’re just special, and they can’t be like you,” she says. “It’s okay to be different. You don’t have to fit in with everybody else! Just be yourself and don’t let people get you down.” Her excitement for life mirrors the passion that her mom, Shakeva Q. Frazier, has for the Cedar Terrace area. These two women have made it their mission to love and inspire the people around them, and Car’leyon is a beautiful example that you can never be too young to inspire others. When asked about how kids can help the community, West says that kids should “change their attitudes and be better role models,” so that every kid can feel comfortable with who they are. “I really like the song Kill Em With Kindness (by Selena Gomez),” Car’leyon mentions as she and her sister sit on the steps close to the Cedar Terrace Youth Center. “I just love that song because you can’t let them win. You can’t come down to their place.” Car’leyon also encourages kids that might be experiencing bullying to react thoughtfully. She says you should always remember your future before you do something. “When people are rude to me, I just have to think about my future and what I want to be,” she says. “You just gotta think about that stuff. I want people to think about their future before they make decisions.” That kind of thinking is unique in a teenager; it’s one small example of Car’leyon’s incredible perspective. Car’leyon’s influence goes beyond anti-bullying, though. She urges kids to realize the impact they can have on their parents, even when that might feel difficult. “Kids should take care of their parents,” she adds, “because even though they’re good, they can be bad sometimes, and being rude back to them isn’t gonna help them get better. Just be nice, take care of them, and show them that they can be different.” As she walks toward the playground, Car’leyon reminds us always to dwell on the positive, no matter what happens. She’s a light in this community, and nothing will stop her from shining.

FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE What is it like to have a different perspective on

cedar terrace by Alex Dandridge and Louise Goodfellow

life than everyone you encounter? How do you manage the day-to-day anxiety and stress that comes with feeling that nobody understands you? Well, it starts with making the most of what you have. Oscar, a 14-year-old in the Cedar Terrace housing complex does just this. Taking pictures, writing, and making people smile are what helps him make the most of his situation. Oscar doesn’t choose to do these things; it’s just his personality to share his joy with others. Oscar says, “As long as you see people smiling, that’s enough.” If we were all able to adapt this beautiful outlook on life, then the bitterness and hatred that so many people have would surely dissolve away. While Oscar describes himself as being a “socialite”, he stresses the fact that he needs time to himself, and frankly would rather be alone pondering the world around him and taking time to question things. However, when he does come outside to be with the loose community that does exist in Cedar Terrace, the other kids look to him for advice. He leads by example. Art is a stress reliever for Oscar. “I like to take pictures of the sky right before sunset.” As a writer and photographer, Oscar says, “When people read what I wrote and look at my pictures I want them to feel connected, I want it to take their stress away too.” Oscar believes more kids in this neighborhood need to have his mindset, wanting to be themselves, rather than needing to prove themselves. “The kids around here are not bad,” he says. “But, instead of playing they fight. My brother got hit in the head with a brick by his friends. Why do violent things? Kids around here feel that they have to be tough instead of embracing their personalities.” “When the kids talk to me, they get what I am saying. I feel like I am out of place, but I also feel like I am here for a reason. I am good at speaking in front of people but why speak if the people are not going to listen? If I am going to come out here and speak I don’t want the kids to come out here and get nothing from it. I want them to learn something from it. Most people around here say that I just think differently than them. I just think from a different perspective.” www.showcasemagazine.com

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ROOTS photo by Louise Goodfellow

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cedar terrace by Louise Goodfellow

FULL CIRCLE People often try to run from where they started. We strive to find something new, to be somewhere new. The idea of “coming full circle” feels mundane, or worse, frightening. But for some, returning to the beginning becomes the only option, and it results in blessing. This is Shakeva Q. Frazier’s story. Born in Cedar Place, she grew up in different parts of Danville, struggling with substance abuse in her young adult life. Now has found herself back in Cedar Terrace – both to care for the children there, as well as to be cared for by the community. “It’s been such a blessing since I’ve been here,” Frazier says, “Coming back here gives me an opportunity to work with the children. I know what some of them go through, and I believe I understand. They relate to me.” When Frazier and her four children moved to Cedar Terrace three-and-a-half years ago, they moved into an apartment directly next door to the youth center. She began to volunteer at the youth center, and shortly after was asked to be on the payroll. In 2010, Frazier started a non-profit called “Kick it With Jesus,” an organization that offers aid to those struggling with addictions. Coming from a past riddled with addiction and hopelessness, Frazier is more than an empathizer – she feels with, and for, the people she cares for. At the Cedar Terrace Youth Center, Frazier organizes programs for the youth, uses the city’s resources to plan trips, and spends time with the students that attend the center. “I get joy in seeing the kids getting to experience things they wouldn’t normally be able to,” she mentions, talking about a recent kayaking trip. “I think I’m where I’m supposed to be.” As far as her story goes, Frazier recognizes how children have helped her, as well as how she serves them. “I started telling my children all about my lifestyle,” she says, recounting her past, “and they just listened to me, and told me they always pray for me. That night, seven years ago, we sat on the bed and all prayed together, and I’ve been clean and free since then.” None of these past experiences hold her back now; instead, her past is used to affect present change in the lives of the youth in Cedar Terrace. Not once does Frazier try to take credit for the way her life has turned around. “I enjoy my life now, and that’s why I’m so passionate!” she exclaims, “So many times death was in my face, and I know I didn’t make it out because of my goodness. It’s for a reason, it’s for [these kids] I’m out here; it’s for a reason that I was brought back to where I was born.” www.showcasemagazine.com

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FATHERHOOD photo by Louise Goodfellow

A TRAILBLAZER IN

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glenwood by Jennifer Rangel

grandmother passed away, he promised her that he would graduate from high school. He kept his promise and became the first person from his family to graduate high school.

The sound of shoes rubbing on the gym floor bounced off the walls as a basketball was dribbled around. A group of men, of all ages, played basketball one Sunday afternoon in the Glenwood Community Center. Donald Hairston, or D-Ray, is the person who manages the center during the open gyms. He has years of experience working for Nestle and Danville’s Parks and Recreation Department. On July 29th of 2016, D-Ray organized and hosted a talent show at the Stonewall Recreation Center. The purpose of the talent show is to bring the youth together, showcase talent, and to build self-esteem in a non-competitive event at no cost for the participants. A year ago the idea of a talent show emerged after he continuously observed talented youth around the city while opening gyms for the Parks and Recreation Department. He says the talent show will expand, “one community at a time, each community has a different effect.” However, he does not see it as a simply a talent show. “A couple of speakers will come through, but the main thing is for the children, to let them do their thing.” Growing up in Danville has shaped the person who he is today with valuable life lessons. D-Ray moved from the country to the city at an early age. When he moved to the city, he had to be quick to adopt a survival mode lifestyle while growing up in the “projects,” a word from back in the day. He had to fight every day to prove himself. However, as he transitioned to his new life, he was mentored by his mom and grandmother. Before his

Today his heart is devoted to his daughters, who inspire him every day. When asked about his legacy, he wants his daughters to remember him as, “A good man, simple. Hearing them say you are a good daddy that is the best thing I can hear. When I am with them, I have to be an example. Being a good father is what a man is supposed to do. That is what I want them to remember me as, a good daddy, that is it.” D-Ray is an individual who has been challenged in life but has remained motivated and has never given up. He believes that God is keeping the city together, “You read about what is going around the world, Danville still has hope. The main thing is these children. When I am gone, my kids carry my legacy, when we are gone, the youth of the city will carry the city’s legacy.” “I know what the struggle is. I know a lot of the guys in there,” D-Ray said as he pointed inside the Glenwood Community Center gym. “One of them I’ve known since he was a kid, and he’s married now. We bumped heads but at the end of the day, they show me respect because I show them respect. You show a boy respect, they show you respect and act like a man, but you treat a grown man like a kid, and he will act like a kid.” According to D Ray, an important characteristic when making a difference is to be sincere. “There is a lot that can be done, but it is also about who can get it done and what their motives and intentions are. Some people do stuff to make money. I am not here to make money,” D-Ray says.

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FAITH photo by Von Wellington Photography

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almagro

A CONSTANT IN

by Taleia Barksdale

Just off Industrial Avenue, past Gibson Elementary school you’ll find yourself in the Almagro community. Make a turn onto Betts Street and on your left, you’ll find two of the remaining pillars of the once vibrant Almagro community. First, Winslow Hospital, a now-vacant building, and Shiloh Baptist Church, the center of the community. Every Sunday and any given day in-between within the walls of Shiloh, at the front of the Church you can find a third pillar, Dr. Reverend Cecil E. Bridgeforth. A former Danville Public Schools’ employee, Dr. Rev. Bridgeforth has served the Almagro community and greater Danville for most of his life. Reverend Bridgeforth is the longest sitting pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, having led its congregation for forty years. As one former Almagro resident remarked, “If anyone can tell you about Almagro it’s Bridgeforth.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many. Throughout his time in Danville, Reverend Bridgeforth has committed himself to supporting the Almagro community as well as its citizens. “We wanted to nurture the children coming into the world.” For twelve years, Rev. Bridgeforth and his wife ran the Almagro Outreach Center, located just around the corner from the church. According to Bridgeforth the Center welcomed between one hundred and one hundred-fifty children each day. Those youth were provided with tutoring services, field trips, and opportunities to meet and hear from community leaders. He also led the church in purchasing the nearby land that was Peters’ Park, the African-American baseball field. After the purchase, he has worked to obtain a historical marker to “…let a future generation know of the history of Peters’ Park in the Almagro community.” Though he’s recently retired from Danville Public Schools, Reverend Bridgeforth shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to his other endeavors. Although times have changed, he continues to lead Shiloh and the entire Almagro community. The Reverend acknowledges the vast difference between the vibrant, close-knit African-American community that welcomed him and today’s community increasingly consisting of vacant homes, renters, and aging population. But he is not deterred. “I think Almagro is represented all across the world. To me, it is a historic community, and I am very concerned that its history not be erased or forgotten.” Almagro may be changing, but Dr. Reverend Cecil E. Bridgeforth remains a constant inspiration. He looks towards marking fifty years at Shiloh and obtaining the historical marker for the community. Shiloh Baptist Church is located at 901 Betts St. in Danville. www.showcasemagazine.com

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COMMITMENT photo by Louise Goodfellow

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north main by Louise Goodfellow

JUDY FALLEN’S LABOR OF LOVE AT STONEWALL RECREATION CENTER Moments are definitive. Though we spend hours, days, weeks and more planning, thinking, wondering, it is the single moments that define us. Decades ago, Judy Fallen noticed a flyer that has largely shaped the trajectory of her life. As she was strolling on Averett University’s campus, a sign publicizing a job in the Stonewall Recreation Center caught her eye, and she applied. Today, she is still there, serving the children of each rising generation, creating a space for minds to stretch and grow. “I always had in my heart that I wanted to help young people and children; to me, it’s a calling,” she says, “I never thought I’d be here this long, but I fell in love with the children, and I got lost in it. It’s my passion, and I couldn’t help myself.” Since the moment Ms. Judy took the job at Stonewall, she has become a mother to the neighborhoods that surround Stonewall. “You know the African saying, ‘It takes a village’? It’s true. I was given a very special opportunity to be in a place where I can pour out as well as push up.” Ms. Judy’s long-term commitment to Stonewall has endeared the area to her, and her to it. In the neighborhood, adults who attended the center when they were younger still stop by to marvel at Ms. Judy serving their kids the same way she served them. “Decades I’ve been on this corner,” she says. “I have some young men who pass by, and they see me talking to the kids, and they walk in here laughing at me, telling me ‘we know what you’re doing Ms. Judy, we know what you’re saying.’ And I say, ‘so what am I saying?’ And they say, ‘Ms. Judy loves you, baby.’ They know it because I said it to them.” Dedication like that has generational effects – and in the area around Camp Grove, the community behind Stonewall, you can see it. Kids run to Stonewall in times of need, in times of joy, and in times of suffering. “When tragedies have happened in this community that affected the young people, they gathered here,” she says, “This was their place, their place to come together and mourn. We comforted them, and they comforted each other. This is a safe haven.” Above all else, Ms. Judy sees her purpose in Stonewall as one of love. “Some of these kids need somebody to speak something into their life,” she says, “I believe there is greatness in everybody…when I see people, I see diamonds in the rough. I see potential. So we push these kids. We encourage them. We speak into them identity, purpose and destiny.” Ms. Judy is a beautiful example of a community member that took action. She encourages people to use their gifts to affect the places they live in, pushing people to move. Though there are endless things to learn from Ms. Judy, there is one overarching theme – use your gifts, for there your passion lies. www.showcasemagazine.com

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EDUCATION photo by Louise Goodfellow

Education is an incredibly powerful tool. It gives people the space to develop their minds; it offers exposure to new ideas, and it equips people to pursue their dreams. One purpose of the community is to educate its children, and to ensure that all kids, regardless of external factors, receive that education. This is a responsibility that E. Tremain Kidd does not take lightly. E. Tremain Kidd, founder and CEO of Shining Light Community Foundation, views his work in Danville as his calling. “I’m a product of this community,” Kidd says. “That’s why it means so much to me to give back to it.” Officially created

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in April of 2016, though having done work in the community for the last three years, Shining Light Community Foundation exists to be a shining light in their community, engaging youth through education, holding community festivals, and providing meals every Wednesday. A large part of the foundation’s work aims at encouraging high school students to continue their education in college. “When I went to college, I went on two college visits, and that was it. I made my choice,” Kidd remarks, “I felt like I didn’t see everything that was available.” Because of his experience, Kidd, and the

north main

A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION THAT’S FINDING ITS FEET

by Louise Goodfellow

motivated. They’re inspired to get the grades. They want to go to college and want to do something better with their lives.” Kidd’s decision to help high-schoolers navigate the college application process was heavily influenced by his nephew, Timothy Glass, a current football player at North Carolina State University. “It all started with Tim,” Aric Gardner, a high-school student currently in the program, mentioned. “Now he wants to help other kids get into college.” Gardner, a rising junior at Tunstall High School, aspires to play football in college and has gone on numerous campus trips with Tremain and the foundation. “Tremain doesn’t just help out with college, though,” he mentions while staring off at a distance from his front steps. “He’s there to talk to; if I need to talk to him about something personal, he’s one of the guys I go to.”

foundation, intentionally seek out high-schoolers in the community to take on fully funded college visits, ensuring that students know their options, as well as giving them a chance to see themselves on a college campus. They’ve traveled to Virginia Tech, East Carolina, UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, Wake Forest, and many more institutions along the east coast. On the visits, the students attended a college class, spent the night at Liberty University, and experienced the campus socially as well as academically. “I think it’s really important to show the kids that are not strong academically these colleges,” Kidd says. “When they go back to school, they’re

The foundation also has a passion for engaging kids before they even enter the school system. This summer, they launched their first pre-k program for kids three years to five years old. The program targets children that often enter kindergarten at a disadvantage, seeking to ensure that kids enter school fully prepared to gain the most out of it. It helps to ensure they took full advantage of all the programs in the community available to them. Kidd’s inspiration for the program comes from his work experience in the Danville Public Schools System. “You realize that a lot of kids are going through things, especially at home,” Kidd says. “Then we wonder why they’re having such a hard time in school. But if you go to their homes and see what these kids have to go through on a daily basis, then you understand.” The program helps pre-schoolers with number and letter recognition, social skills in the classroom, and provides student teachers with an opportunity to gain experience in the classroom. As the Shining Light Foundation continues to grow, Kidd remarks that none of it is possible without a team. The foundation often partners with Evening Light Cathedral, the location for the weekly community meals. “I just love what I do,” he says, “A lot of people feel like you’re running a lot, or working a lot, but I don’t look at it like that. I look at it as being fun. I look at it as making a difference.” www.showcasemagazine.com

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MENTORSHIP photo by Louise Goodfellow

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north main by Alex Dandridge

IN THE GYM NOT THE STREETS When thinking of community outreach, boxing is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, as you drive up North Main Street in Danville, you will find just this. Hung above an old storefront is a white sign that reads “Luck’s Boxing Gym.” The simplicity of this banner reveals that this place doesn’t need a grand introduction to passersby for it is powerful enough on its own. Behind the weathered door is Marcus Luck, boxing trainer and life coach. Marcus Luck was working with the Boys and Girls Club where he observed the number of kids who were passionate about boxing. A man of vision, he saw this as an opportunity to start something bigger, a chance to get the kids off the streets. Luck’s Boxing Gym was born. Luck says, “I have seen many kids going down the wrong path and then seen them turn around once I got them involved in my program.” There are many young adults who have been training with luck for ten or more years, forming more of brotherhood than the average gym setting. Sometimes a young man needs a boxing coach to teach him how to duck and throw an overhand right. But, sometimes a kid needs a role model to show him how to take a punch from life. Luck has taken some kids under his wing, serving as a father figure. At the end of a day of boxing, a lesson often breaks out. “Do you need a ride to work?” he asks one teenager. “What do you mean you’re calling in sick? You better get your tail in the car. There aren’t enough jobs to be throwing one away.” His attitude and devotion to the youth in the community has made him the go-to person when it comes to disciplining kids and teaching them life lessons. “In life, you are going to get knocked down, but you have to get right back up and shake the other person’s hand and try again.” He explains that you either win or you learn, there is no losing. A 12-0 record in the ring might mean a boxer is insanely talented, or it might mean he hasn’t learned any lessons yet. Luck defaults to the latter because everyone must keep learning. Boxing is great for the community because it creates brotherhood. People who normally would not talk to one another end up training together and through shared experience form lifelong bonds. Many young people in the area simply need somewhere to belong where a sense of accomplishment comes with every ringing of the bell.

Some people see boxing as violent; a sport of bloodied noses and broken hands. They think that teaching someone the fight game encourages violence. Luck’s boxing gym proves this idea wrong. “When you teach someone to box, you’re teaching them a sport of rules,” Luck says. “You’re teaching them to honor the rules, respect authority, and learn discipline.” It’s a simple formula. Fighting in the ring to relieve aggression is better than fighting in the streets and risking jail time. Luck’s life lessons sink in. Younger kids see older kids having fun and are inspired be a part of it. But, Luck stresses that the people getting involved in his boxing program are not limited to one specific group of people. People from different races, ages, and experience levels are coming out to inspire one another with their unique motivation to keep fighting not only in the gym but in life. On any given day you might see a middle-aged entrepreneur sparring with a young man facing a petty larceny charge. Who’s learning from whom in that moment? Getting involved in Luck’s boxing program isn’t just limited to his storefront on North Main. He has taken young men all over the world to compete, teaching them lessons on being humble and coming to the realization that there are others in the world who are in worse situations than they are. Luck has trained national champions and represents his stable of boxers across the state. “Boxing can put Danville on the map when a small town like this becomes home to a world champion.” In the coming years, Lucks sees his gym continuing to grow. He is reaching more kids and at younger ages, which is important when it comes to keeping them out of trouble. The location on North Main Hill where the gym currently operates out of is small, but Luck manages to do the most from what he has to work with. It’s that spirit that makes an impact on people’s life, showing that as long as you have the passion and motivation, it doesn’t matter where you train. It’s how hard you train. Dreams of winning don’t stop with the boxers. Luck also hopes for bigger and better things. “I have equipment that I can’t even put up because I don’t have room here.” And he will get there, one ladder drill at a time. www.showcasemagazine.com

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COMPASSION photo by Alex Dandridge

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to take the Salvation Army for granted. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s there. It has always been there. And it will always be there. As such, it often operates under the radar of community support. We all see the red kettles at Christmas, but those donations account for a small portion of the operating budget. Behind the scenes, there are staff and volunteers who operate several programs

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without which the entire region would suffer greatly. Here, we profile two such staffers.

A SUMMER WELL SPENT Walking up to the Salvation Army at 10:30 am can be an intimidating sight. There are people standing outside waiting to get a

north main by Alex Dandridge

SALVATION ARMY meal. The line is diverse including people from every background, each one with their own story. Upon entering, you are confronted with individuals in hairnets busily darting back and forth with boxes and prepared meals. The hustle of it all is a wonderful sight; seeing people who are dedicated to helping out the community and those in need is motivational. The summer feeding program at the Salvation Army is a program that feeds kids during the summer when they are out of school. Ashley Price, a kitchen assistant and machine operator, says, “We feed from nine hundred to twelve hundred kids a day. We also do community events, which are held down at the community market pavilion. We feed camps, daycares, and even special needs children. Our program runs from the ages of birth to eighteen.” Working at the Salvation Army is more than a job. “I love kids,” Ashley says. “This program is designed to help kids in need. Many children have a hard time finding even a simple meal once when they are out of school.” It’s basically a continuation of the school lunch program when school isn’t in session. “During the school year, we do not run this program because they will receive their meal at school. We feed Danville, and also out into Pittsylvania County, which is Virginia’s largest county.” “The best thing is just seeing the smile on their faces when they get the food and seeing they are grateful. I’m from Danville, born and raised. The event that we run out of the community market during the summer is simply a much appreciated fun day for kids.”

TAKING PRIDE IN WHAT YOU DO “Every day is not a good day for me, but I know that better days are coming.” These wise words were spoken by Lesley Dabney as she sat there in her work clothes, smiling bigger than ever. Lesley is a lifelong resident of Danville, working for the Pittsylvania Feeding program at the Salvation Army for 11 years, and also Danville

Public Schools. Taking pride in whatever job you do is a mindset that she holds close to her heart; a mindset ingrained into her by her father who passed away when she was ten years old. Despite the short relationship Lesley had with her father, he made an impact that can be seen within Lesley, but also in her children. “This is what my Daddy use to say, always be the best at what you set out to do. take pride in any work that you do.” Lesley’s father was a barber in Danville, opening up his first shop in 1957. “He did so much off of a barber salary,” Lesley says. “He sent my sister to Bennett College. My mom didn’t have to work, and we lived in a nice subdivision. It’s not how much money you make it’s what you do with the money you make.” Doing so much with just a little is a lesson that we should all take the time to learn. In a world dominated by labels and titles, it is easy to think that you are not making a difference because you don’t have a highpaying job or fancy house and car. However, it is quite the opposite. There is room for every individual in society; everyone has their unique role to play. Lesley explains that, “Everyone has a special gift or talent God gave them, and it is up to them to use it. I strive to be the best at what I do; I want to stand out. I love food service. I love seeing people eat. I have passed this down to my children too. Now my kids take pride in what they do as well. If you want your name to stand out and rise above everyone else’s, you have to do better. You don’t have to stay in the position you are in. You have to have joy from within. Every day is not a good day for me, but I know that better days are coming. There is nothing wrong with being down as long as you are willing to get up. You have to be an encouragement to yourself, whatever you have to do to get over the hump, whether it’s crying or going out to the park. Some days I just go out to the park and look at the trees.” To learn more about the activities of the Salvation Army of Danville and to donate funds visit virginiasalvationarmy.org/danvilleva.

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| SEPTEMBER 2016 | SHOWCASE Magazine 35

REBIRTH

schoolfield by Alex Berryman

photo by Alex Berryman

SCHOOLFIELD’S

Schoolfield was once the area of Danville, Virginia where the home office of Dan River Mills stood. There was once a vibrant diner across the street from some of the most successful fabric manufacturing plants in the world. Many workers would eat meals at Schoolfield Lunch between shifts at the mill. But, economies change. Governments pick winners and losers with laws and treaties, and small towns are changed forever. It’s common for outsiders to label a community by what they think they see. People driving through Schoolfield may see the abandoned mill and aging homes while ignoring its passionate, committed residents. They don’t remember this was once the place where hundreds of thousands of people went to find jobs. But even communities containing negative conditions, like decaying homes, possess a silver lining where strengths capable of effecting change exist. Assets range from passionate people to parks, and all can contribute to making a community a more welcoming, safe, and enjoyable place. Ongoing efforts by agents including the Danville Regional Foundation seek to empower residents so they may achieve goals and better control their future. The Edgewood-Mimosa Street Neighborhood Association located within the Schoolfield area exemplifies how citizens may partner to better their community. Schoolfield’s history revolves around the textile economy created by Dan River Mills under the Schoolfield Brothers and other investors. Dan River Power & Manufacturing constructed

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the Schoolfield mill and dam in 1903/1904. Schoolfield employees resided in company housing, worshiped together, and recreated at the YWCA. The legacy of living in close company and working together continues today. Lifelong residents like Judy Edmunds and Nancey Ketchum peacefully coexist with neighbors relatively new to the area. Today, on its surface, Schoolfield is characterized by the remnants of the Dan River Mills factories. The abandoned 89-acre Schoolfield Mill site looms over the community, a reminder of past economic life. Lanier Avenue and Edgewood Drive parallel the active Norfolk Southern Railway, and straight streets full of homes connect to the long thoroughfare. Commercial activity though may soon resurge with the reopening of the classic Schoolfield Lunch. Citizens Michael Wells, Marie & Tommy Newcomb, Sharon Slayton, Pat Hancock, Pastor Richard Markham, and others began meeting about a year ago in response to growing concerns for their neighborhood. This Neighborhood Association and Watch Group soon began working with the Danville Police Department via Corporal T. B. Scearce. Positive results quickly developed, which illustrates the power of working together. Months of preparation for the group’s first ever National Night Out led to the event becoming Danville’s feature site, an honor awarded to one neighborhood each year. Calvary Baptist Church hosts the association the fourth Saturday of each month following a community breakfast.

get r o f 't n o D my to post nt!! e v e y t i Commun e It's Fre

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by Paulette Dean Executive Director Danville Humane Society

September is National Preparedness Month. The lessons of Hurricane Katrina taught us that companion animals must be included in emergency plans, or the results will be disastrous.

This little 2-3 year old girl is a -- well, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say dachshund/ Chihuahua/Yorkie mix. She is as sweet as sweet can be, but she does have a lot of energy in that little 10 pound body!

Through the years, we have taught that animals should be evacuated with you and a 72-hour emergency kit for each companion animal would be wise. Included in the kit should be food, bottled water, veterinary records, and first aid supplies (including any medicines required).

a complete set of the records in a family memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in another area. After a disaster, more wild animals are going to be in populated areas. Local, state, and federal authorities may ask for proof of protection against rabies. 4. When the forecasters first issue warnings, bring your pets inside. Animals have an uncanny ability to sense weather changes, and their behavior may change. They may run or hide in fear. 5. During times of emergency, animals will be under stress. Feed them familiar foods, but also keep a supply of moist food available. They may be more likely to eat it, and the moisture content of the canned food will help in preserving water supplies. 6. Keep a supply of newspapers on hand for sanitation purposes. Planning in advance for emergencies is always a prudent thing for pet owners to do. SM DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

There are other tips that could prove to be lifesaving measures for your animals:

1. Make sure dogs and cats have current identification attached to the collars; however, a microchip will not be lost or pulled off. Please consider calling your veterinary clinic today and asking for their microchip services. 2. Always keeps a current photo of your pets. During a widespread disaster, a picture could be proof that the lost pet is yours. 3. Keep veterinary records, including proof of the current rabies vaccination, in the 72- hour kit. However, also keep a copy of the rabies certificate in other areas. It would be wise to have

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Not So Common – Common Sense!

A Perspective on Public Schools – What is an Implementation Dip? by Stan Jones, Superintendent of Danville Public Schools I am proud to report a wonderful and successful opening of the school year which commenced on August 10, 2016. At this point, we are near the end of the first month of a new school year. Presently, our strategic focus as a learning organization is aimed at leveraging evidence based instructional strategies in all classrooms. Our goal is on building and expanding the skills of all students at every level. As we implement high yield instructional practices across our schools, there is the very real possibility that we may experience what is commonly referred to as an “implementation dip.” Noted scholar, author, researcher, and educational consultant Michael Fullan explains that schools often experience “implementation dips” as they move forward. Implementation dips occur when there is literally a dip in performance as the staff encounter innovative strategies and acquire new skills and understanding in leveraging high yield instructional strategies. Often an implementation dip is associated with new leadership, new expectations, and new training, or professional development. All of these are factors for Danville Public Schools as we have spent the past year refining our instructional practices and focusing on issues related to school climate and culture. Large scale changes in our system of schools when coupled with both state and federal accountability systems, which have also changed, may result in a dip in performance. The Virginia Board of Education revised its accreditation standards in 2015 to better inform the public about the progress of schools toward meeting the commonwealth’s high expectation for student achievement. These achievement levels required for a rating of “Fully Accredited” did not change. However, new “Partially Accredited” ratings differentiate schools that are close to full accreditation from those making acceptable progress, and those that are not. Virginia’s Accountability uses statewide assessments to determine accreditation ratings. These ratings include such descriptions as: Fully Accredited, Partially Accredited Approaching Benchmark Pass – Rate, Partially Accredited Approaching Graduation and Completion Index (High School Only), Partially Accredited Improving School Pass – Rate, and Partially Accredited Approaching Improving School Graduation and Completion Index. The ratings changed last year with the goal of providing a clearer description of the progress Virginia schools are making. While I am pleased with the new descriptions and the efforts to help the public better understand the accreditation process, I am concerned that there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about Virginia’s Accountability System. For more information on Virginia’s Accountability system, please visit the following link: www.doe.virginia. gov/statistics_reports/school_report_card/accountability_guide.pdf Presently, Danville Public Schools has only one school that has been denied accreditation. The remaining schools are Fully Accredited or Partially Accredited. Given this fact, an implementation dip may be manifested in the event that there is second school that becomes

Accreditation Denied. This will occur if a school does not meet the requirements for full or provisional accreditation for four consecutive years. The VDOE publically released statewide, division, and school pass rates on 2015-2016 state assessments on Tuesday, August 16. State accreditation ratings will be released to the news media and general public on Wednesday, September 14. These designations describe the system of state accreditation which governs school. Danville Public Schools as well as other public schools in Virginia are also subject to performance ratings by the Federal Government. The new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) designates 2016 – 2017 as a transition year during which the U.S. Department of Education issues final regulations and states develop implementation plans. In summary, our schools are subject to both state and federal laws regarding student performance. It is my hope that this brief description will help you understand the concept of the article’s title, Not So Common – Common Sense.

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This is what commitment looks like... Centra Danville Medical Center Opening September 2016 Healthcare will become more accessible and convenient than ever before. With a full range of health services and medical and surgical specialties, we are committed to you – our friends and neighbors – and are eager to show you the next level in providing Excellent Care for Life.

Danville Medical Center

PRIMARY & URGENT CARE Two of Centra Medical Group’s Danville practices* – PrimeCare main clinic on 130 Enterprise Drive and Dominion on 110 Exchange Street – will relocate to the Danville Medical Center and come together to form a single primary and urgent care practice, Centra Medical Group – Danville. Providers will include: Gregory Alba, DO

Vinit Jalandhara, MD

Pradeep Pradhan, MD

James Alig, PA

Rachel McGhee, DO

Laurie Taylor, FNP

Susan Dhivianathan, MD

James Milam, MD

Charlotte Williams, NP

Maria Ibarra, MD *Our PrimeCare east clinic at 404 Airport Road will remain at its current location.

MEDICAL & SURGICAL SPECIALTIES Centra specialists will see patients and provide consultations at the new medical center. Specialties include: CARDIOLOGY Brent Carothers, MD Matthew Huffman, MD Matthew Sackett, MD Peter O’Brien, MD Evan Ownby, MD David Truitte, MD Michael Valentine, MD

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Kurtise Wilkes, PT, DPT

Timothy Silvester, MD

Varsha Jalandhara, PT, DPT

SPORTS MEDICINE & ORTHOPAEDICS

UROLOGY Dean Clower, MD

James Dunstan, MD Andrew Pieleck, DO

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