There is a lot to Phil you in on this month. We’re talking about new brands, new facilities and impactful work happening around the world.
The Virginia (New) Home
For almost 100 years, The Virginia Home has been serving its residents with disabilities from its familiar building across from Byrd Park. But come fall 2027, the organization will be moving to a 70-acre campus in Hanover. And its new single-story building – all 196,000 square feet of it – will not only include a number of architectural upgrades but also enable The Home to increase the number of residents receiving full-service care by as much as 20 percent. Richmond Magazine has a profile.
New Brand, Same Mission
Blue Ridge Foster Love, the Dayton-based nonprofit that runs a shop for foster families, has become Blue Ridge Foster VA. In explaining the name change, the organization says the new brand “reflects our broader vision to serve foster families across Virginia while staying true to our rots in the Blue Ridge region.” What stays the same is BRFV’s core mission of providing essential resources for foster children and their families, from free clothing and personal hygiene items to toys and much more. The program also runs several programs throughout the year to support foster families at key times, like back to school and the holidays. WHSV has more. Interested in making a donation? Visit the organization’s website here.
What the Puck? Hockey as Therapy?
A Virginia Beach nonprofit is helping veterans make the transition from the military to civilian life through a form of on-the-ice therapy. Warrior for Life Fund (originally founded as the Virginia Beach Hockey Club in 2012) has veterans lacing up their skates as a means for reducing stress. “I learned the game late, and I saw the benefits, not just the companionship and camaraderie, but also the benefits from a cognitive health standpoint,” one participant said.
Yahoo! Sports has an inspiring profile on the work Warrior For Life Fund is doing.
Mercy Chefs: Earthquake Relief Across the World
Mercy Chefs, the Portsmouth-based humanitarian relief organization that provides post-disaster meals to affected regions of the world, is ramping up its efforts in Myanmar following the March 28 earthquake. The organization has been in the Southeast Asian nation for two years, but the latest devastation has MC focusing on some of the hardest hit areas. “They’ve lost loved ones, they’ve lost their homes, they’ve lost their place of business. They’ve lost everything. The infrastructure is completely gone, and most of them are just wondering, like, where’s my next meal going to come from?” said Mercy Chefs CEO Gary LeBlanc.
WTKR has Chef Gary LeBlanc’s point of view from the ground. MC is accepting donations to support its life-saving work here. [Editor’s note: Mercy Chefs is a client of The Hodges Partnership.]
Federal Cuts to Nonprofits Threatening to Disrupt Services, Safety Net
A growing list of Virginia nonprofits is beginning to feel the brunt of some of the cuts coming out of Washington. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, organizations have begun to lay off staff while others are concerned about grant funding that was expected so that the nonprofits can continue to provide health services, food and housing assistance. Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Health Brigade and FeedMore are among the organizations interviewed by the RTD. [Have a story about the impact of cuts to your organization? Let us at The Phil know as we’re trying to keep apprised of this fluid situation.]
Mark Your Calendars
Here are just a couple activities happening later this month….
April 18 – Going to the Chapel (Island)
Join the James River Park System Task Force in its monthly habitat restoration project on Chapel Island, an 11-acre hidden oasis on the north bank of the James just below the fall line and east of downtown Richmond. Bring your own gloves to help with invasive species removal, a project that already is making a noticeable difference. Meet at noon at Great Shiplock Park. More info here.
April 27 – I See Me Play in RVA!
The Children’s Museum of Richmond is presenting I See Me Play n RVA!, a free family event held at Dogwod Dell from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.. The annual event includes food trucks, entertainers and hands-on activities for the whole family. Register here.
Image: A rendering of the new Virginia Home facility in Hanover County, pulled from Richmond Magazine
