 Crisis Stabilization Unit Garners Media Coverage
Since opening in May 2012, the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at St. Joseph's Villa has provided intervention and stabilization services for more than 50 children in mental health crisis. The six-bed unit on the Villa campus and in-home services offer support to children ages 5 to 17 who need short-term out-of-home placement but do not require hospitalization.
The Villa's CSU is the first of its kind in Central Virginia and has received significant media coverage in recent weeks:
- Click here to read the about success of one child served by the CSU, published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- NPR also featured a segment on the benefits of crisis stabilization centers and referred to our CSU. Click here to listen to a three-minute clip.
"The Crisis Stabilization Unit is one of the most important things the Villa has done in its 178 years," said Kathleen Burke Barrett, CEO of St. Joseph's Villa.
There is a tremendous, widespread need for children's mental health services. Read more about the CSU is addressing the need on our website.
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Educators' Conference at the Villa to Promote Outdoor Learning and Therapy
The 82-acre campus of St. Joseph's Villa has seen numerous enhancements in recent months that help us harness the healing power of environment while serving our children and families - including a new outdoor classroom and a learning & therapy garden. We're pleased to continue this momentum as we partner with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the Virginia Association of Science Teachers (Region 1) to host a two-day Educators' Conference on place-based strategies for teaching and learning.
The Natural Connections conference will take place March 15-16, 2013. Workshops will be held at the Villa on March 15 and at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on March 16. Both days provide valuable professional development opportunities for area educators, administrators, therapists and clinicians who work with children with special needs. Attendees can choose from 33 different workshops that demonstrate how outdoor learning benefits physical and mental health.
Click here to register or learn more. This link will take you to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden website.
The Natural Connections conference is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Resource Use Education Council, Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation, the Lipman Foundation, and the Seltzer Family Fund for Nature-Based Education. |
VILLA Pals Mentoring Program Continues Growth during National Mentoring Month
As the new year kicks off with National Mentoring Month in January, we give thanks to the members of our community who serve as dedicated VILLA Pal Mentors. Since the program launched in August 2012 with a generous grant from The CarMax Foundation and Virginia Mentoring Partnership, seventeen mentors have developed relationships with the students of our Dooley Schools - and we continue to seek new mentors as we expand this valuable program to our Day Treatment service.
VILLA Pals spend one hour a week with their mentees, and while this might not sound like much on paper, the impact this can have on a child's life is immeasurable. Click here to read about the positive experience of one Villa mentor.
 | | Click to watch a one-minute mentoring video on YouTube! |
"The men and women who serve as mentors bring compassion, enthusiasm, and a willingness to never give up," said Kathleen Burke Barrett, CEO of St. Joseph's Villa, in a recent letter to the editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Mentoring works. This simple theme of National Mentoring Month has proven to be true at St. Joseph's Villa. Please contact Mentor Program Coordinator / AmericCorps VISTA Ashley McHaney at 804-553-3211 or amchaney@sjvmail.net if you are interested in becoming a mentor. |
Villa to Launch Early Autism Program
We're excited to announce that a new Early Autism Program is opening at the Villa. This Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) based program will serve children ages 2 - 6 who are medically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. ABA methodology is considered best practice when working with children with autism. The program will operate five days a week with three-hour morning and afternoon sessions. Services are designed to address each child's functional, social, behavioral and communication needs. All behavioral interventions are supervised by Dr. Ken Macurik, Director of Developmental Disabilities at St. Joseph's Villa. Dr. Macurik is a Doctoral Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst. "Research suggests that the development of new skills in this age range produces maximum gains," said Dr. Macurik. "Early services can help the children we serve go on to lead the fullest lives possible."
Stay tuned for more information about our Early Autism Program, coming soon! |
Save the Date: Bluegrass Ball to Benefit Villa's Flagler Home on May 18
 Tired of dealing with the unpredictable winter weather? It's not too early to start looking forward to the Page Auto Group Bluegrass Ball this spring! Join us at the Villa on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 6 - 10 p.m. for delicious barbeque, drinks, and live music from progressive bluegrass band The Roys. Mark your calendar and come enjoy a warm night under the lights while supporting the Villa's Flagler Home.
Located on the Villa campus, Flagler Home provides shelter for homeless mothers and their children. Families at Flagler have direct access to a Housing Specialist, an Employment Specialist, and the Villa's Career and Transition Services to help them eliminate barriers to securing stable, permanent housing.
To learn more or purchase tickets, please visit our event web page at www.NeverStopBelieving.org/BluegrassBall.
 | | Kathleen Burke Barrett, CEO of St. Joseph's Villa, and Larry Page, president of Page Auto Group |
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Brook Road Academy Seniors Make Plans for College
It's that time of year! College acceptance letters have begun to arrive with great news for our Brook Road Academy seniors. Our students are now preparing to continue their education at renowned Virginia colleges and universities including:
- Jefferson College of Medicine
- Liberty University
- Radford University
- Roanoke College, with $50,000 merit scholarship offered
- Virginia Wesleyan, with $14,000 merit scholarship offered
Our faculty could not be more proud of their students' achievements and are confident that they have bright futures ahead of them. Congratulations to our rising college students! To learn more about what makes Brook Road Academy a unique college-prep school, please visit www.BrookRoadAcademy.com. |
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How to Give | |
WORKPLACE GIVING
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg - #3074
Local Government & Schools Campaign - #3074
Commonwealth of Virginia (CVC) Campaign - #3125
DONATE GOODS
Our Donation Center welcomes clothing, housewares and furniture for families in need.
Click here to learn more about donating goods.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are essential in the Villa's daily operations. We have a wide variety of opportunities available and welcome your time and talents.
Click here to learn more about volunteering.
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Event Calendar | |
MARCH 15 & 16, 2013
Natural Connections:
Place-Based Strategies for Teaching and Learning
An Educators' Conference presented by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, St. Joseph's Villa, and the Virginia Association of Science Teachers, Region 1
Details & Online Registration: www.lewisginter.org
MAY 18, 2013
St. Joseph's Villa
Bluegrass Ball
The 19th Hoedown to Stomp Homelessness, benefitting Flagler Home at St. Joseph's Villa
Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
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Contact Us | |
NeverStopBelieving.org
804.553.3200 tel
804.553.3259 fax
8000 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
St. Joseph's Villa provides children with special needs and their families the opportunity to succeed through effective and innovative programs.
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