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Villa Season of Hope brings holiday cheer to children and families in need

Hope begins with you

 

The holiday season is a special time for children and families at St. Joseph's Villa. Villa staff and volunteers help those we serve experience and enjoy holiday traditions, from classroom parties to campus decorating. The campus is a lively and joyful place during the holidays, but it may not be the same scenario at home.

Bank of America Merchant Services delivers more than 
200 winter coats to our Donation Center.

"Many of our families are in need of basic household necessities - food, dishes, bedding and winter clothes - let alone toys and other gifts for children," said Kathleen Burke Barrett, CEO of St. Joseph's Villa.  "Our community supporters help them experience a brighter holiday season."

We are seeking Season of Hope sponsors to fulfill the wishes of our children and families.  You can help give them joy with simple donations of goods (click here for lists of needed items).

Valerie, age 4, gave away hot chocolate in exchange for toy donations for Villa children.
We hope to serve more than 200 children and families through our Season of Hope Holiday Giving Program this year.  To learn more about how you can help, please visit our website.

Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer to those who need it most. 
COAFlagler transition to rapid re-housing commended with Innovative Practices Award

COA logo The national Council on Accreditation (COA) has presented St. Joseph's Villa with the 2013 Innovative Practices Award honoring the performance and quality improvement of our Flagler Housing & Homeless Services. Our case study submission about Flagler's multi-year transition to rapid re-housing and resulting outcomes was one of two selected winners in the nation.

Click here to read our case study on the COA website.  

"We are grateful to the COA for this recognition, and we owe it to all of our partners who supported Flagler's transition to the new model of rapid re-housing," said Kimberly Tucker, Senior Director of Housing & Homeless Services.  "Through rapid re-housing we are serving more homeless individuals and families than ever before, and a higher percentage are remaining housed after receiving service."

Flagler Housing & Homeless Services team
Flagler expects to serve more than 300 households (approximately 800 individuals) in the Richmond and Tri-Cities areas this year.

St. Joseph's Villa is certified by the Council on Accreditation for children and family services.
RUSSt. Joseph's Villa goes international
Adam presented at three universities in 
Moscow, Russia and Mogilev, Belarus
Adam Dreyfus, MA, BCBA, LBA recently traveled abroad to deliver three presentations on verbal behavior for children with autism. Educators, education students, parents, administrators and psychologists attended the university seminars where Adam spoke on modern instructional techniques for helping children with autism gain early language skills.

Prior to becoming Director of the Sarah Dooley Center for Autism at St. Joseph's Villa, Adam was with VCU's Autism Center for Excellence. He was also previously part of a team that traveled to Beijing, China to work with their special educators on improving outcomes for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

PROWelcome Stephanie Margolin, Americorps VISTA & Villa Pros Coordinator
Stephanie Margolin

Americorps VISTA Stephanie Margolin has joined our Career and Transition Services team to help launch Villa Pros, a new career mentoring program for our Dooley School students.  Stephanie will develop the volunteer base and match students to mentors in careers that match their interests.

A native of Yorktown Virginia, Stephanie recently graduated from Roanoke College with a B.A. in Sociology and minors in Spanish and Anthropology. During her undergraduate career, she served as a researcher and intern for two area nonprofits that help refugees and homeless families return to independence through skills development.

If you're interested in sharing your professional experience with a motivated student, please email Stephanie.

We are excited to have Stephanie as a member of the Villa team! 
VOLVolunteer Spotlight

Thanks to all who have devoted their time and talents to serving our children and families! 

Rutherfoord volunteers don costumes and throw a Halloween bash for our Day Treatment kids
 
University of Richmond Oliver Hill Scholars set up the Donation Center for the holidays
 
John Pappas, Executive Chef of Richmond's Double Tree Hotel, gives a cooking demo to students

McGladrey, LLP tends to the Learning & Therapy Garden
BOOKVilla history book on sale - 50% off!

Makes a great holiday gift!

book In honor of our 179th anniversary this month, we have discounted our St. Joseph's Villa history book. For just $14.95 (reg. $29.95), this 128-page hardcover book can be yours to share this holiday season!  Cost includes shipping and handling. Sale lasts through December 31, 2013.

To order your copy, please contact Brenda Savage at 804-200-1616 or send her an email.

St. Joseph's Villa has been making history in Richmond since 1834.  We have a lot of stories to tell after 179 years!

Click here to learn more about our book on our website.
GT#GivingTuesday is coming!

What's #GivingTuesday, you ask?  It's a movement to create a national day of giving to kick off the giving season, following Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The second annual #GivingTuesday will be Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

Please consider making a gift to St. Joseph's Villa if you plan to participate in #GivingTuesday. Your support has an immediate impact of the lives of our children and families who face autism, mental health issues, homelessness and other challenges.

Click here to learn more about giving to the Villa on our website.

  

 
In this Issue

 

Flagler honored with COA Innovative Practices Award

Sarah Dooley Center for Autism Director Presents in Russia and Belarus

Villa Pros kicks off with support of AmeriCorps VISTA

 
Volunteer Spotlight   


Villa History Book 50% Off


#GivingTuesday

 

Follow the Villa

 

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How to Give

Click here to donate     

WORKPLACE GIVING

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg - #3074

 

Local Government & Schools Campaign - #3074 

 

Commonwealth of Virginia (CVC) Campaign - #3125

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) - #92733

 

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.

 

Event Calendar

 

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

St. Joseph's Villa celebrates
179 years!

 

Villa in the News

 

OCTOBER 12, 2013

"St. Joseph's Villa residents getting back to normal after fire"

Richmond Times-Dispatch

 

A speedy response by Henrico Fire saves Hollybrook apartment residents from a 2-alarm fire.

Click here for the full story.  

 

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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