This monthly edition of Phil-Ins is chock full of exciting developments and recent announcements.
Summer Series Returns to PARK365
SOAR365 is teaming up with local nonprofits for two free nights of inclusive fun at “the best playground in Richmond” – PARK364, home to an accessible treehouse and merry-go-round, supportive swings, colorful playgrounds and athletic courts for all.
- June 20 – Join Special Olympics Virginia for an evening of bocce ball, cornhole, basketball skills competitions, fitness activities – and for the less athletically inclined, a petting zoo. Food from Monique’s Crepes and tunes by DJ Melvin.
- July 18 – Sportable will be at the park to lead adaptive sports activities like wheelchair basketball, pickleball, soccer and more. Eats from BokaTako and Tablespoons Bakery, with a return appearance from DJ Melvin.
Events from 5:30-7:30 p.m. are free but registration is requested at soar365.org.
Abington Kmart to Become Regional Workforce/Childcare Hub
The United Way of Southwest Virginia – with the generous financial support from Food City – has purchased a shuttered Kmart store with plans for turning the 87,000-square-foot property into a new Regional Workforce and Child Development Center.
In addition to housing a licensed, early childhood care and education center and a venue for workforce development and training programs, the building will include high-tech STEM labs for teacher training and a shared services alliance to strengthen the region’s 208 existing childcare providers.
WJHL has been following the story with the announcement here and an update here.
Yes, 3D Dentures Are a Thing
The Free Clinic of Central Virginia, which has been providing dental care since its inception in Lynchburg in 1987, now has a new offering beyond fillings and cleanings: 3D dentures. Thanks to a collaboration with Help, Inc. and a grant from Delta Dental and the Virginia Healthcare Foundation, the clinic now has technology that allows it to scan a patient’s mouth, then send the measurements to Help, Inc. which manufacturers the set of dentures using 3D printing. The process takes about a month and costs thousands of dollars less than traditional dentures. WDBJ-7 has the story.
NEA Grant Adds Juice to Lights Up!
The Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (RPAA) just received some high-voltage support from the federal government for its Lights Up! for Educators program. The National Endowment for the Arts announced it has awarded a $20,000 grant to RPAA to the professional development initiative that incorporates lessons and hands-on training from subject experts.
The NEA awarded more than $37 million in grants across the country, which also included awards to such Richmond-area organizations as 1708 Gallery, Venture Richmond, UR and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Style Weekly Looking for Young(ish) Community Impacters
If you are younger than Prince Harry, LeBron James and Katy Perry (i.e. circa 1984), and you are all about making a positive impact either in your respective field or the community as a whole, then consider applying for Style Weekly’s most perused list of the year – its 40 Under 40. Nonprofit leaders make for the perfect candidates… here’s the application form.
