Congratulations to presenter Carol Olson and Project EMPOWER, a violence prevention and support program for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.    April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month-- the funds were gifted in a very timely month. 

Project EMPOWER is a multi-disciplinary initiative dedicated to enhancing prevention and intervention services to individuals and their families who have or are experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Domestic Violence or Sexual Violence (SV). They provide direct services to patients and team members as well as training for healthcare providers.

​The patients and team members of VCU Health System who are or have experienced intimate partner violence, family violence, or sexual violence have the option to meet with a trained advocate. The following services are provided at no cost:

• Crisis Intervention
• Community based referrals and resources
• Liaison to law enforcement (ex: assistance with protective orders)
• Safety Planning
• Court accompaniment
• Ongoing counseling/ case management

Learn more here: https://www.vcuhealth.org/services/injury-and-violence-prevention/ivpp-programs/project-empower
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From the Heart Stitchers is a community-based volunteer organization that shares hope, joy, and comfort by creating and distributing hand-stitched items that improve the physical and emotional well-being of individuals who are sick or in need. They currently have more than 1,700 members, primarily from the Commonwealth of Virginia with a smaller number from surrounding states. 

Volunteers contribute their time, hearts, and skills by knitting, crocheting, and sewing blankets, hats, scarves, socks, mittens, and quilts. Their efforts provide warm and gentle head coverings for cancer patients; a variety of items including blankets to warm chemotherapy and dialysis patients during their chilling treatments; hand-made outfits for premature babies in neonatal and intensive care units; burial outfits to ease the pain of parents whose baby never came home with their families; and sleeping bags, mittens, and hats for the homeless to provide warmth on cold nights.

Since 2001 they have contributed over 425,000 hand-made items to organizations. 

Learn more here: fromtheheartstitchers.org

Congratulations to Margaret Hill and the Hanover Education Foundation. Margaret pitched the need for funds to provide hotspots for students in need of internet services.  During these challenging months, we all can appreciate the importance of having a strong internet connection for work and school.
 
Learn more about the Hanover Education fund here:​

River City Givers went virtual in July to host their 1st ever Zoom call.  It was a fun and successful experience. We will be repeating this process for our October meeting.

Rising Creek Family Connections was the winner. Rising Creek Family Connections provides customized housewares packages to families who are starting over after being sheltered, most commonly to escape domestic violence.
Learn more here: https://www.rcfconline.org.

We are pleased to share Virginia Home for Boys and Girls is the recipient of $6,500 to support their mental health first aid workshops. This training is critically important and helps individuals learn how to identify mental health risk factors in youth and the importance of early intervention. Learn more about it here:

Youth Mental Health First Aid Workshops | Virginia Home for Boys & Girls
VHBG Youth Mental Health First Aid USA is a FREE eight-hour public education program which introduces participant

River City Givers is pleased to announce Art for the Journey is the April recipient of funds. The 68-member group will generously gift $6,800 to this group. 
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Art for the Journey overcomes barriers and transform lives through creative expression, with a special focus on people who do not normally have access to such experiences. Their eight staff and cohort of 250+ artists and community volunteers travel in teams to provide instruction and art-making experiences to women in prison, low income elderly, at-risk children, children with Juvenile Diabetes, older adults with dementia and Alzhiemer's, veterans suffering PTSD and combat related disabilities, VCU medical students, VCU Occupational Therapy Doctoral students, and community groups.

Congratulations!

Pay It Forward Outreach is January's recipient!  The goal of Pay It Forward Outreach is "to help the people in need in our city through the donations of clothes, furniture and food that we collect from our community.  From the homeless on the street to the struggling family trying to keep a roof over their head, we want to help make a difference in their lives."  Learn more by visiting https://www.payitforwardoutreach.org/​