Lynchburg Living Nov/Dec 2017 Giving Back Awards

GIVIN G BACK FE ATURE

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If there is a need in Central Virginia, there is a group of people working to address it. And for the past four years, Lynchburg Living has worked hard to make sure these individuals get the recognition they deserve through our Giving Back Awards.

Read on to learn more about 25 impactful local organizations that were nominated and voted into their positions through an online contest. We hope their stories will inspire you to give back to a cause you care about. >>

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#1 Nonprofit

BY CLAIRE MOLINEAUX FOSTER

“O

f all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare

in-kind donations of supplies, medical and dental equipment,

is the most shocking and inhuman.” Those words

and pharmacy medications. The campaign raised enough money

were uttered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when

to cover operating and capital expenses, and donors generously

he addressed the Medical Committee for Human Rights

gave office equipment, chairs for the waiting room, medical

at a convention in Chicago in 1966.

supplies and equipment, and more than

More than 50 years

$12,000 in medications.

later, those fateful words still ring

Mission:

true, highlighting a disjointed healthcare system plagued by increasing complexities.

In April of 1987, a group from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lynchburg saw the growing need for accessible healthcare and rallied together to meet this need. The group began discussing healthcare issues in the community and immediately started to identify ways they could help those in need in Central Virginia.

A steering committee was formed to determine the feasibility of starting a free clinic. With some guidance

To provide highquality medical, dental, pharmacy and health education services to those in Central Virginia who do not have the resources to obtain these basic healthcare services.

from the Executive Director of the Bradley Free Clinic, the steering committee formed a board of directors and incorporated into the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc., in May of 1987.

The next month, a major fundraiser was launched to solicit funds for operating and capital expenses, and to acquire

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On September 15, 1987, the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc. officially opened its doors, offering medical and pharmacy services from the basement of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The line of patients stretched out the door and down Floyd Street, and volunteers worked into the late hours of the night. The need was so great.

Today, the Free Clinic serves thousands of low-income uninsured or underinsured adults every year, providing them with critical medical, dental, and pharmacy services.

However, the need continues to be great. Over 37,000 adults in the community lack the insurance necessary to manage their health. If these patients were to line up today, the line would

stretch 42 miles— from Lynchburg to Waynesboro.

Chief Executive Officer Christina Delzingaro joined the Free Clinic in April of 2014. “The Free Clinic of Central Virginia envisions a community where everyone has access to quality

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healthcare services,” said Delzingaro. “Our mission is to provide

At 19,250 square feet, the new facility will allow the Free Clinic

high-quality medical, dental, pharmacy and health education services

to more than double the number of medical patients seen, as well as

to those in Central Virginia who do not have the resources to obtain

provide more space for current and future healthcare professionals

these basic healthcare services.”

to serve patients. The new building will also include Hill City

Delzingaro is passionate about the work of the Free Clinic and

Pharmacy to serve Free Clinic and Community Access Network

meeting the needs of the community. “It is incredibly affirming to talk

patients, as well as the larger community. The building is expected

to patients and their families about how much better they are feeling

to be complete in late 2017 and will open its doors to patients on

after becoming a patient at the Free Clinic,” she said. “We are literally

January 3, 2018.

saving lives. Not everyone can say that about where they work.”

Learn more at www.freeclinicva.org.

>>

The Free Clinic serves the community from its current location on Main Street in downtown Lynchburg—a facility that has five medical exam rooms, eye exam lanes, a pharmacy, and six dental operatories. In order to provide healthcare for all the uninsured and underinsured adults in the region, creative and truly collaborative partnerships are key to expanding access.

That’s why the Free Clinic is partnering with Centra Health, the Centra Foundation, and the Community Access Network to build a new medical facility, which will be an additional Free Clinic site.

Located on the corner of 5th and Federal streets in Lynchburg, the new facility will be the primary service location for the Community Access Network, and provide a second service location for the Free Clinic. The new building will provide 17 additional medical exam rooms, conference space, group and individual therapy rooms, as well as space for patient education and wellness programs. Funding for the

Greatest Need: Volunteers who donate their time and expertise provide most services at the Free Clinic. Specifically, they are recruiting volunteer primary care providers, podiatrists, dentists, dental assistants, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

facility is being provided by Centra Health and the Centra Foundation.

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BY CLAIRE MOLINEAUX FOSTER

ope for today. Home for tomorrow.

These are the foundational principles at Central

Virginia Regional Rescue.

Founded in January 2015, Central Virginia Regional Rescue is

unable or unwilling to keep the animal, they are contractually bound to return the pet to CVRR. This ensures the animal will remain in a loving foster home until it can be placed with another family.

“I really love that we are able to step in and help families in re-

a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation,

homing animals,” said Linn. “Sometimes it’s the best choice for

and adoption of regional animals into permanent and loving homes.

everyone involved. It’s the last selfless thing they can do for the

According to The Humane Society of the United States, more than 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in

animal, and I am proud that we are able to make that transition as smooth as possible.”

shelters annually. Through education and community outreach, CVRR aspires to eliminate the need for euthanasia as a means of pet population control.

Unlike their counterparts, CVRR has no formal facility—all rescue animals live in temporary foster homes until they are placed for adoption with a loving family. Additionally, CVRR has no paid employees. Every dollar donated goes directly to helping animals.

Laura Doty Linn has served as President of the Board at CVRR since its inception in 2015. “We founded the organization on the principle that every dollar would go to the animals—no paid staff,” she explained. “We are all invested and devoted to the success of the rescue because we believe in what we do.”

Animals are accepted into the organization based on personality without discrimination for breed or medical needs.

Each “forever family” is vetted through an application process and matched with the right animal. If at any point the family is

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Mission: A volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of regional animals into permanent and loving homes, with a goal to eliminate the need for euthanasia as a means of pet control.

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Greatest Need: Feline volunteers for daily adoption cage care and short term foster homes.

CVRR not only aims to place animals in loving homes, but

Their goals are

they also emphasize education to better equip families for animal

simple and sincere:

adoption. “Most of the animals in shelters aren’t there because

more foster homes,

they are bad. They are victims of circumstance, irresponsibility,

more lives saved,

lack of education, or impulsive choices,” noted Linn. “We act as an

and more community involvement.

advocate for those with no voice.”

“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Linn, eagerly

That’s why CVRR provides educational resources to help people

admitting the need for help. “No matter your focus in life, we want

make the best choice when it comes to animal adoption. “I enjoy

to put your skills to use at CVRR. We love to welcome new faces

working with families to help them discover the traits they are

to our family!”

looking for rather than a specific breed,” said Linn. “Education is the key to successful adoption.”

Volunteers can join the cookie brigade, who make goodies every month for businesses that sponsor CVRR. There is also a need for

Resources provided by CVRR include articles like “Choose the Rescue That’s Right for You,” “Steps to Take When You Find a Lost Dog,” and “Are You Ready for Adoption?” They also provide guidance in regards to spaying and neutering pets, including a list of

drivers to routinely transport animals. Kitten-loving folks can help with maintenance of feline adoption cages.

There are also multiple ways to support CVRR financially.

Donors can give through Amazon Smile, Kroger Rewards, or

local medical providers who

online at www.cvrrescue.org. CVRR will also be hosting Spring

offer these services at a low cost.

fundraisers including Mardi Paws at Tresca on 8th on March 3,

CVRR envisions a strong growth trajectory for the future.

2018 and a Tea Paw-ty at the Miller Park Aviary on May 6, 2018.

Learn more at www.cvrrescue.org. >>

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Mission: To improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating and encouraging

Central Virginia

opportunities for individual growth and development.

BY CLAIRE MOLINEAUX FOSTER

T

he moment that parents discover their child has a developmental disability, their lives are forever changed.

Instantaneously, an overwhelming flood of questions arise: How can we help our child? What resources will we have? Will our child be able to live a normal life? What do we do now?

In 1962, The Arc of Central Virginia was founded by a group of families who insisted on better lives for their children with developmental disabilities.

As a local chapter of The Arc (Association for Retarded Children), The Arc of Central Virginia began partnering with other agencies to meet the needs of people in the Lynchburg area. In the 1960s, the group launched Camp Meadowlark, a summer day camp for children with developmental disabilities.

In 1972, The Arc founded a school for preschool and school-aged children with severe intellectual or multi-handicaps. In 1976, an Adult Training Center was established.

The next year, Project Daniel—an early intervention program— began. As demand for early intervention grew, Project Daniel later became a program of Central Virginia Community Services.

Recognizing a need to improve access to special education, The Arc school was absorbed by area public schools in 1980, forming the Lynchburg Area Regional Special Education Program.

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In 1993, The Arc launched a program to provide Family Training and Support for families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1994, The Arc began a nonfacilities-based Day Support Service to serve individuals who reside in nursing homes.

In 2000, The Arc started a Respite and In-Home Support Program, and—in 2007—launched a Sponsored Residential Program, allowing disabled individuals to live with their families while receiving needed program support.

Today, The Arc of Central Virginia continues to support and serve persons with developmental disabilities in the greater Lynchburg area. Executive Director Robin Baker joined the team in March 2017 after serving as Executive Director of The Arc of the Triangle in Chapel Hill, NC for the past 10 years.

“Our goal is to provide programs and services that help people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible in a manner that improves their quality of life,” said Baker. “Our services are independence optimizing and we do everything possible to help individuals live and be perceived by the public as valued citizens.”

Many participants of The Arc are medically fragile.

The organization’s mission is based on a philosophy that all

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individuals should be supported to live lives based on choice, The future is bright for The Arc. In 2018, they will open preference, and strength, and that people with disabilities should an Accessible Garden Park, and they are currently recruiting be fully informed about all of their options before making major volunteers to help with gardening. The Arc works diligently to life decisions. continuously develop new ways to engage participants and the This mission is critical to residents in Central Virginia because community. “Our main priority involves partnering with the The Arc not only provides a variety of community to help our individuals services that help maintain the health become full community participants,” and quality of life for persons with said Baker. “We are always bringing developmental disabilities, but it also additional activities into our building serves as an advocate for change in many for those who are medically fragile, areas including access to transportation, and getting more of our folks out Volunteers of affordable housing and employment. into the community to engage in all specialties— When asked what he enjoys most local activities.” about the work that he does, Baker There are many ways to help The gardening, art, etc. responded, “Selfishly and honestly, the Arc. They are currently accepting most enjoyable part of my job is the donations of books, art supplies, and people that we serve. They teach me more. “We need volunteers of all so much more about life and what's kinds,” Baker admitted. “We need important than I could ever teach them. Laughter, affection, gardeners to help with our Accessible Garden Park, artists appreciation, and a general joy for life are often taken for to teach art classes, and people who are willing to come lead granted, but each day when I visit with the people that attend our activities in areas that will be enriching.” programs, I am filled with all of those things and more.”

Learn more at www.arcofcva.org. >>

Greatest Need:

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Faithfully Bold Movement www.faithfullyboldmovement.com Mission: To provide free care packages to those who are battling

cancer or to those who have recently experienced the loss of a child.

Greatest Need: Product supply and funding. Each care package is filled with a handful of

specific heartfelt products; it costs approximately $13.65 to ship each box.

Recent Achievements:

• Selected by Barnes & Noble in Lynchburg to be the recipient of their annual book drive.

• Partnered with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Chick-fil-A to host fundraisers where supplies were donated to create over 30 care packages.

• Supported the community in multiple ways including providing special gifts to police departments/fire stations and feeding chili to the homeless.

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Family Life Services familylifeservices.org Mission: To provide quality, professional adoption services

provided with compassion, commitment and integrity.

Greatest Need: Finding consistent, monthly donors who will commit to supporting the agency to enable them to provide post-adoption counseling and services at no cost to adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents following an adoption placement.

Recent Achievements:

• Received a grant from the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust to provide free training for adoptive and foster parents in the community.

• Hosted the Empowered To Connect Conference in April 2017 to equip foster and adoptive parents, as well as professionals, with strategies to strengthen families and help children achieve a higher level of healing.

• Held the annual birth mother full-day event in June 2017 for women who have placed a child in an adoptive family.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia

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bigcva.org Mission: To provide children facing adversity with strong

and committed, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Greatest Need: Mentors. Because #mentoringmatters.

Recent Achievements

• Held a very successful fundraising breakfast in January that will become an annual event.

• Will begin a “Bigs In Blue” program the end of 2017 where Law Enforcement Officers will be matched with kids facing adversity in an effort to improve LEO and community relationships.

• Through a partnership with the YMCA, offered 8 weeks of free swim lessons to 10 children in the program.

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WoodmenLife www.woodmenlife.org Mission: To benefit members and the community through every

stage of life through valued insurance and financial services.

Greatest Need: Volunteers to help with some community events and more nonprofits that would like to participate in WoodmenLife’s free flag program.

Recent Achievements:

• Aligning with the company’s national community focus to fight hunger, WoodmenLife has given money and/or food every month to different food banks or food pantries in the area.

• Gave over 200 new American flags in the past year to local nonprofits in the Lynchburg area.

• Raised over $70,000 to be distributed to the Appomattox tornado victims in the form of gift cards.

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The Motherhood Collective www.themotherhoodcollective.org Mission: Equipping and empowering women from

preconception to postpartum through free, evidence-based education and social support programming.

Greatest Need: Year-end giving to ensure the ongoing work of improving maternal health in Central Virginia.

Recent Achievements:

• More than doubled the 2017 Annual #maternalhealthmatters Giving Campaign goal of $10,000, raising $24,764 in 32 days in May 2017.

• Held inaugural MILKAPALOOZA event in partnership with Centra and Live Healthy Lynchburg on August 12, 2017 and saw 200+ families in attendance.

• Partnered with Lynchburg Parks and Recreation to reach more women with free or low cost offerings such as: Maternal Mental Health Screenings, Self-Care Classes, Conscious Discipline Workshops and Mamas on the Move at local parks.

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Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center www.eelc.info Mission: To provide every child with affectionate and

personalized care in a safe environment while focusing on providing for the physical, social, emotional and cognitive developmental needs of children in an age-appropriate manner.

Greatest Need: To expand the EELC facility to serve more children. The center currently serves approximately 145 children each year, with a waiting list of over 80 children.

Recent Achievements:

• EELC celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 9, 2017. Over the past 20 years, EELC has served over 1,200 children and provided millions of dollars in financial aid to children who are homeless, living in foster care and living in economically disadvantaged homes.

• The Board of Directors has developed a strategic plan to expand the facility, adding four new classrooms.

• Five EELC teachers completed training and became Certified Autism Specialists. >>

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The Journey

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www.myjourneyfm.com Mission: To use available technology and creativity

to communicate the present and eternal hope of the Gospel in a culturally relevant manner.

Greatest Need: A new morning co-host. Interested individuals can find out

more on the Journey website.

Recent Achievements:

• One of three finalists for Christian Music Broadcasters’ Radio Station of the Year-Medium Market.

• Partnered with Habitat for Humanity-Roanoke Valley to help build a new home for a family.

• Surpassed its fundraising goal for the Spring 2017 Partner Event.

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Rush Homes www.rushhomes.org Mission: To improve the lives of people with disabilities

and low incomes in Central Virginia through housing and advocacy.

Greatest Need: Financial support. Rush Homes is striving

to meet the goal of improving their bottom line by $100,000 by the end of the year.

Recent Achievements:

• Broke ground on Old Forest Village, a new development that will add 28 new one- and two-bedroom apartments to their total. They should be ready in early to mid-2018.

• Received funding for and hired a Residential Support Coordinator, which is a half-time position designed to aid tenants in remaining stable in their housing.

• Celebrated the 12th Annual Dream Builder’s Luncheon.

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IRON Lives ironlives.com Mission: To see all youth overcome negativity, develop

into positive adults, and change the world by building character and teaching respect, leadership, professionalism, and selflessness through community service.

Greatest Need: Funding. IRON Lives has a fundraising goal of $120,000 so they

can start hiring staff members. They have operated for nine years as a volunteer organization and have grown too large to operate without full-time staff.

Recent Achievements:

• Doubled the program size of the Lynchburg chapters and started a new program call IRON Baseball.

• Added 5 dynamic new board members.

• Hosted the 7th annual IRON 5K Run/Walk.

>>

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Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg

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www.bgclynchburg.org Mission: Using evidence-based programming to provide a

positive, fun and stable environment that produces winners, leaders and role models who make a lasting impact in the community.

Greatest Need: The financial ability to complete a middle school-sized gym at the Madison Street Clubhouse. The gym will allow the Club to increase the number of children served from 180 to 250. By attracting youth to the gym, it is easier to recruit them for the Club’s mentoring and academic programs.

Recent Achievements:

• 100% of the high school seniors who were enrolled in the Club this year graduated from high school.

• Incorporated STEM programming into spring and summer programs.

• 39,000 member visits this year so far, breaking previous records.

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YWCA of Central Virginia www.ywca.org/centralvirginia Mission: Dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering

women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Greatest Need: Renovations to their historic Town Center building, including new windows.

Recent Achievements:

• The Domestic Violence Prevention Center (DVPC) and Lynchburg Police Department partnered to provide the Lethality Assessment Program in order to reduce intimate partner fatalities.

• Commissioned a facility assessment of the historic Town Center and DVPC buildings.

• Received a grant from the Allstate Foundation to provide economic empowerment training for domestic violence victims.

Impact Living Services

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www.impactlivingservices.org Mission: To change the lives of those in need through quality

transitional living services, promoting interdependence so that each youth or family may reach their individual potential socially, academically, vocationally and relationally.

Greatest Need: Funding to best meet the needs of the people they serve. Many programs are supported by donations and fundraising efforts.

Recent Achievements:

• Expanded Independent Living Services to Harrisonburg.

• Expanded behavioral health reach with the addition of the School Truancy Elimination Program (STEP) and Adventure-Based Counseling Services, including the Spartan Edge program.

• Expanded community outreach and engagement mission through partnerships with other agencies and philanthropic ventures to provide opportunities to those served. >> 84

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M EN TO R IN G M A TTER S

This year, join us in making a difference.

Donate or Volunteer Today!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT

434.237.0070

www.bigcva.com

Delivering Independence, Nourishing Body & Spirit

• Providing short-term, rehab, emergency and long-term service to our neighbors in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties • Serving all ages, all incomes, without a waiting list • Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg receives no state or federal funding, and is entirely supported by our local community • One year of home-delivered meals costs less than 1 day in the hospital

Call us today to request services for you or your loved one. www.mealslynchburg.org • 434-847-0796

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CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

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abused and neglected children in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court system and to educate the community about the

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www.roads2recovery.org Mission: To assist people to find and sustain

recovery from substance use disorders, and to eliminate the stigma that prevents people from getting help.

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Greater Lynchburg Community Trust www.lynchburgtrust.org Mission: To enhance the quality of life

in the communities served by establishment of permanent endowments for the city of Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell, with income distributed annually to charitable organizations within the community.

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The Listening www.welcometothelistening.org Mission: To be a safe place where young

people are engaged to use the performing arts to ask questions, develop answers, perform with purpose and

financial support for frontline organizations working to end these forms of modern day slavery.

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www.miriamshouseprogram.org Mission: To end homelessness and rebuild

lives through the empowerment of women and families.

Kids’ Haven www.kidshavenlynchburg.org Mission: To serve as a grief support center

for children ages 3 to 18 and their families while following four principles—1) Grief is a natural and healthy response to death, 2) Within each individual is an instinctive inclination and capacity to self-heal, 3) The duration and intensity of the grieving process are unique to each individual, 4) Caring and acceptance assist in the healing process.

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Lynchburg Humane Society www.lynchburghumane.org Mission: To help pets in need through

sheltering, adoption, education, spay/neuter and community outreach.

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Vector Space vector-space.org Mission: To build an open and collaborative

community that fosters innovation, creativity and the pursuit of science-based knowledge.

change the world around them.

Miriam’s House

Mission: To bring freedom and justice to

and human trafficking through raising awareness and providing

needs of these children.

Roads to Recovery

www.freedom424.org victims and survivors of sexual exploitation

www.cvcasa.org Mission: To recruit, train and support volunteer advocates for

Freedom 4/24

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Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation www.redhill.org Mission: To keep the spirit of the Voice of

the American Revolution alive by inspiring a better understanding of Colonial American history through supporting scholarship, conducting educational programs and continuing the stewardship of the Patrick Henry National Memorial at Red Hill.

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