Congratulations Villa Class of 2015

We're so proud of this year's graduating seniors from Brook Road Academy, Dooley School and Sarah Dooley Center for Autism. We know each and every one of these young adults has a bright future ahead.

Grads received their diplomas in the Villa chapel.
 
One graduate said in their commencement speech, "I am gaining control and course of my life, and I am excited about pursuing things that make me happy instead of worrying so much about those I have no control over." Helping students overcome personal challenges and building on their unique strengths are what the Villa's education services are all about. Congrats and best wishes to everyone!


First Capital Bank to hold "Stuff the Bus" school supplies drive for Villa kids
First Capital Bank is generously partnering with St. Joseph's Villa for their annual "Stuff the Bus" event to collect new school supplies for students in need. Without your help, many Villa students would not have access to the supplies they need for a successful school year.

Join us Saturday, August 8*, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Short Pump Walmart (11400 W. Broad Street Rd.).  You can't miss us -- you'll see the First Capital Bank and Villa buses parked in front of the store.

We also welcome school supplies year-round at our Donation Center. For more information please contact Kathy Perun, Director of Community Engagement, at 804-521-5577 or email.

Student needs include:
  • 1" & 3" binders w/ pocket on inside cover
  • Ball point pens (blue, black, red)
  • Calculators (simple four function)
  • Colored pencils
  • Construction paper
  • Dry erase markers
  • Glue sticks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Index cards
  • Pocket folders
  • Scissors (children and adult sizes) 
  • Subject dividers
  • Tissues
  • Washable markers
  • Ziploc bags (quart and gallon size)


*August 8 is part of the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday.

Villa joins Partnership for the Future
We're delighted to welcome Destiney as our administrative intern for the next three summers. Destiney comes to us through Partnership for the Future, a nonprofit that connects high-potential high school students from challenging circumstances with tools and experiences that will help them attain a college degree.

Destiney is a rising junior with an interest in communications.

  
New job resource for individuals with autism
The Villa's developmental disabilities services are focused on helping individuals successfully transition to adulthood and live as fully and independently as possible. A new online resource called The Spectrum Careers has launched in alignment with that mission. Created by Autism Speaks and Rangam Consultants, The Spectrum Careers is a free website where job-seeking youth and adults with autism can upload video resumes and find career opportunities in their area that match their interests, goals and abilities. Employers can post jobs directly to the site.  

Visit thespectrumcareers.com to learn more. 

  
Housing Resource Center continues reducing homelessness thanks to resource partners
Since 2011, St. Joseph's Villa has operated the Housing Resource Center (HRC) in Petersburg and helped hundreds of homeless families in the Tri-Cities find safe, permanent housing through rapid re-housing. We recently welcomed the John Randolph Foundation into the fold of community partners who make the life-changing work of the HRC possible. We thank all of our partners who have supported the HRC:
  • Bank of America Charitable Foundation
  • The Cameron Foundation
  • The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia
  • Nationwide Foundation
  • Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. Charitable Lead Unitrust B
  • Petersburg Methodist Home for Girls Foundation
  • John Randolph Foundation
  • Wells Fargo Foundation
Veteran Tyriek and son, rapidly re-housed by Flagler.
The Villa's work in the Tri-Cities has been integral to our broader efforts to reduce homelessness throughout Central Virginia. Rapid re-housing is working, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), which cited the model as a key factor in Virginia's 25% decrease in homelessness from 2010-2014. Click here to read NAEH's article about how community leaders and organizations, including the Villa's Flagler Housing & Homeless Services, helped reach this milestone.
  
Villa buses sport new look
For 180 years, St. Joseph's Villa has pledged to provide children and families a quality environment that promotes healing, learning and growing. We recently extended this pledge to our buses, which are now outfitted with bright colors and graphics representative of our mission to build brighter futures. When those we serve see our belief expressed in their surroundings, they begin to believe in themselves. 

Day Support kids prepare to board for a field trip to Skate Nation.
 

Hollywood returns to the Villa
Last month we got a behind-the-scenes look at the independent movie Shooting the Prodigal as scenes were filmed in the Villa gym. Produced by Belltower Pictures, Shooting the Prodigal is a comedy about a New York filmmaker helping a Baptist preacher in southern Alabama make a movie about the Prodigal Son. 

See more at shootingtheprodigal.com and stay tuned for the release date!

Credit: Paul Bickford, Belltower Pictures.

To learn how our facilities can accommodate your next event, please visit our website.


Staff Achievement: Craig Hedley named local hero by CBS6
Director of Community Partnerships Craig Hedley is known throughout the Richmond community for helping children and youth. Beyond his 30 years at the Villa, where he is often the first point of contact for families in crisis, Hedley served as Hermitage High School's track coach for 13 years.  His caring spirit and dedication have changed countless lives, which is why CBS6 featured him in their weekly "Heroes Among Us."

Watch Hedley's story on the CBS6 website.

Craig Hedley and Hermitage athlete. Credit: CBS6.

In this Issue
How to Give


Make an Online Gift
Your gift helps transform the life of each child and family we serve. Learn more.

Donate Goods
Our Donation Center welcomes clothing, housewares and school supplies for families in need. Learn more.

Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the Villa's daily operations. We have a wide variety and individual and group opportunities available. Learn more.

Follow the Villa
       
Event Calendar
First Capital Bank "Stuff the Bus" for St. Joseph's Villa
Sat, Aug 8, 2015
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Donate school supplies for Villa children in need at the Short Pump Walmart (11400 W. Broad Street Rd). 

Did You Know?
The Villa's Crisis Stabilization Unit has served more than
420 children since it opened in 2012.