Thank you to our amazing partners for providing wonderful tokens of appreciation that were presented to principals this week to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication they deliver to support the students and staff of VB Schools.

Assistant Principal Week is in April. Contact Jen McGowan at jennifer.mcgowan@vbschools.com to learn how your organization can support our assistant principals.

The Office of Family & Community Engagement, with support from WAVY TV 10 and VB Schools Title One Office, is hosting "Coats for Kids...and Books Too!" on Thursday, February 5, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The event will be at VB Schools Plaza Annex at 641 Carriage Hill Rd.

Volunteers are needed starting at 12:30 pm to help sort coats and from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm to assist families during the event. A brief orientation will be held for volunteers at 4:30pm.

To sign up as a volunteer, visit https://sugeni.us/V9OI.

New volunteers must complete a brief application at www.signupgenius.com/org/FACE#/.

39of our 88 Teachers of the Year need an SAT—Sponsor A Teacher! Click Here to Become A Sponsor!

Each $350 sponsorship (SAT) includes:

Invitation for one person (2nd person optional for $50) to the dinner: January 30, 2025, 5.30 - 8.00 PM at the Hilton, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

On-site recognition at the event to include:

• Logo/name projected on presentation screens
• Option to include items in Teacher of the Year gift bags
• Include a personal message to the Teacher of the Year

If you cannot attend the dinner, you/your company will still be recognized!

For information contact Debbie Hughes at debbie.hughes@vbschools.com.

Click Here to Become A Sponsor!

Kenneth Garrison

Amanda Yarborough

Elizabeth Jordan

Rebekah Circelli

Denae Messick

Helen Costulis

Jordan "Jay" Robeson

Brenna Miller

Allison Barao

Abigail Marapao

Erin Zeder

Stephanie Fletcher

Katie Howard

Ashley Speelman

Allison Krebs

Anna Bradt

Melanie Soscia

Justine Palazzolo

Dana McNamara

Lyndsay Hamby

Meghan Pankau

Laura B. Chapman

Ashley Rojas

Lakisha Parker-Garrett

Tracey Woodberry

Stacey Askew

Justin A. Parrish

Megan Roberts

Jean Jones

Gayle Wuesthoff

Gina Lane

Alicia Gordon

Kelly Kilbourne

Erica Whitfield

PORTCO, Inc is a non-stock, non-profit, 501(C) (3) corporation located in Suffolk, Virginia. PORTCO was founded in 1991 as an Employment Service Organization to provide transitional, supported employment and vocational services to individuals with disabilities who could not otherwise find and maintain competitive employment on their own.

PORTCO, Inc is interested in working with schools to support:

• Athletic events
• Business/organization based site visits or fields trips

• Classroom volunteers
• Community service projects
• Cultural enrichment
• Curriculum support
• Entrepreneurship
• Guest Speakers;Internships
• Job shadowing
• Literacy support
• Mentoring
• Resources
• Special events/projects
• Workplace tours
• Workshops

For more information visit https://portco.org/ or contact Kolbey Donahue at kdonahue@portco.org

Eat well, share more and take care of each other.

Generosity is at the forefront of everything we do. We care for our communities by donating to charities dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity, as well as providing grants to local non-profits and volunteering our time.

Panera Bread is interested in supporting schools with:

• Incentive programs
• Resources
• Staff Support

For additional information contact Steven Nickolls at panerabread@bamko.net.

Bartlett Tree Experts was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the world's leading scientific tree and shrub care company. From its over 100 offices worldwide, Bartlett helps both residential and commercial customers maintain beautiful, healthy trees. In addition, as a government contractor, we offer competitive bids and provide quality tree service with timely implementation.Bartlett Tree Services is supporting the Advanced Technology Center as subject matter experts.

For more information visit bartlett.com

Established in May 1988 to provide emergency shelter to families and children, ForKids has grown to become one of the largest providers of homeless services to families in Virginia.

Our team is data driven, trauma-informed and deeply committed to helping families and children thrive. We believe stable housing, a great education and a healthy, diverse community are essential to the welfare of our families.

In 14 cities and counties in Southeastern Virginia, ForKids delivers quality individualized client-focused solutions designed to achieve stability for families and a lifetime of success for children.

ForKids is interested in working with schools to support:

• Arts activities
• Business/organization based site visits or fields trips
• Clinical Experience
• Community service projects
• Cooperative Education (COOP)
• Curriculum support
• Externships
• Guest Speakers
• Job shadowing
• Literacy support
• Resources
• Special events/projects
• Workplace tours

For additional information visit forkids.org or contact Dr. Marie Garrenton at mgarrenton@forkids.org

Operating for 40+ years, Southeastern Virginia Health System (SEVHS) is the premier community-based health care initiative in Hampton Roads for the insured, uninsured, and underinsured. The 501(c)3 operates twelve sites, providing primary care and dental services to individuals and families. SEVHS physicians are board-certified and provide services in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. With practices located in Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Mathews County, and Franklin, SEVHS also offers a number of other support services such as health education and nutrition counseling, case management, referrals to specialty care, medication assistance and on-site lab testing. Southeastern Virginia Health System is a member of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA). SEVHS services over 25,000 patients annually.

Southeaster Virgina Health Systems is interested is supporting schools with:

• Community service projects
• Resources
• School clubs/activities
• Special events/projects

For more information, visit sevhs.org or contact Julya Boone at jboone@sevhs.org

At BE FREE CRAFT CAFE we create our best versions of classic flavors, as well as new and modern inventions using proprietary formulas with flavorings from fresh produce, and freshly baked pastries, treats, and ingredients while being mindful to include interesting textures. Our coffee is sourced from trusted local Veteran Owned roasters that take great care in the quality of their beans and roasts. In our bakery and kitchen our Chefs create everything fresh daily from scratch ingredients with great inspiration and love.

Be Free Craft Cafe is interested in supporting schools with:

• Business/organization based site visits or fields trips
• Special events/projects

for more information, visit befreeicecream.com or contact Christopher Fettes at chris@befreecraft.com

Visit your school's website to get started. Select MENU then VOLUNTEER to fill out your volunteer application and find volunteer opportunities.

Most Volunteers:

Elementary School - Thoroughgood Elementary

Middle School - Old Donation School

High School - Landstown High

Most Hours:

Elementary School - Thoroughgood Elementary

Middle School - Old Donation School

High School - Landstown High

Most Sign-Ups:

Elementary School - New Castle Elementary

Middle School - Old Donation School

High School - Landstown High & Bayside High

The Foundation raises funds and in-kind donations to benefit Virginia Beach City Public Schools students and staff through tax-deductible donations, gifts, bequests, and the like.

The Foundation then supports these programs:

• Adopt A+ Grants - Classroom grants for innovative programs.
• Beach Bags - Provides shelf-stable meals and healthy snacks to students during weekends and breaks.
• The House Students Built - Provides hands-on work experience for juniors and seniors in the construction trades.
• VA Star - Advanced Technology Center students refurbish donated computers that are shared with students in need of a computer.

Click on this video to see the Dash for Cash event sponsored by Frogman's Rentals.

The Adult learning Center offers:

• Medical Career Training
• Business
• Cooking
• DIY Hobbies and Crafts
• Self-Care/Health, Wellness and Safety
• Languages
• Music & Arts
• GED

The Mrs. Bellissimo’s marketing class at Cox High School, had an opportunity to meet and talk with Amy Lu, owner of Crunch On Snacks. Amy talked with the Leadership class about the hard work that goes into a startup. She also talked about the joys of owning her own company and watching it take flight. Crunch on Snacks has been operating about four years and recently opened her second location. They are involved in 5-9 events every week. Their website is cruchonsnacks.com and contact is crunchonsnacks@gmail.com.

Crunch on Snacks is a for profit, female, minority owned micro business.

ATC STEM & CAREER INFORMATION NIGHT- held 6pm-8pm on December 10th was designed to educate students in 8th-11th grade on careers in STEM and how ATC can help jump start those careers. Additionally ATC held two panel information sessions focused on getting girls interested in STEM.

The New Castle Student Council collected non-perishable food items for the Coastal Community Church food pantry and delivered them the week before Thanksgiving. This service project had a meaningful impact on the community by providing essential food items to families in need during the Thanksgiving season, promoting food security and holiday relief. For the school, it fostered a sense of unity, generosity, and civic responsibility among students, staff, and families.

The families of ESL students were invited to come in and sign up for Seesaw, and ParentVue. There were multiple translators on hand to help the parents communicate with the staff and answer any questions they had. This event brought the families together with the staff and helped develop relationships between the families, students and staff.

The first graders became Pet Pals with a dog named Noodle from the SPCA. Noodle wrote us a letter telling us about his journey to the SPCA in Virginia Beach. In return, each student wrote a letter back to Noodle.

Partners set up tables with visuals and items for students to take and upper elementary students at KMES were able to browse each career fair partner. Students were given a form to fill out to help with asking guiding questions and also to help students narrow what was most interesting to them. The event took place in our school cafeteria on November 21 from 1-3 pm. The purpose was to connect students to their community to begin to explore professional opportunities for their futures.

The event raised funds to support programs at the school.

Families in attendance were indeed appreciative for such an event, and the momentum that carried over into our next FACE event in December. Plaza's CEL was able to deliver a Partner In Education plaque to the good folks of Bonchon Hilltop. A variety of games had people at different tables, and what we lacked in numbers, we retained in enthusiasm!

Angel tree gifts were provided, with the help of Essential Church, to a few students and families in need here in at Salem ES. Providing Angel Tree assistance to families in need demonstrates the positive impact our school has on the community. It shows that we truly care about supporting our neighbors, fostering a spirit of kindness and compassion. Through this initiative, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, strengthening our school’s connection to the families we serve and creating a sense of unity and care.

Marco's Pizza treated all staff to a free one topping pizza.

The event gave student and parents a chance to learn about programmable robots, problem solving with code, enjoy family engagement time with holiday crafts, and drink cocoa together.

The Army TRADOC "7 Cities" Brass Band from Fort Eustis came to perform at John B Dey for all students, staff, and families during all lunches. The band came to help support our families during November's Military Family Appreciation Month. Students got to show military pride while experiencing instruments, fun songs, and showing off "their moves". This band provides strategic outreach initiatives by connecting the community with the Army.

JBD students had the opportunity to explore and imagine a mission at sea, when the Navy Assault Craft Unit 2 from JEB Little Creek - Fort Story came to share an insight into the vessels and equipment used during operations. The students and staff loved getting into the boats (Combat Rubber Raiding Craft), paddling, seeing engines up close and feeling a connection when using their imagination being out on the water while wearing the sailor's vests and helmets. This Unit employs mission-ready forces for Navy and Maritime Component Commanders in support of strategic objectives.

For the second consecutive year, JBD took our 4th graders to Great Neck Middle, our feeder school, to view the exhibits created by middle school students. There was a direct connection between their research of Native American Homes & the 4th grade VA content that is soon to be taught. The students were able to view the physical structures, read highlight cards, & watch fun animated videos were the students talked about what they learned. It was a fabulous learning opportunity. During third quarter, our 4th grade students are planning to create replicas of various Virginia artifacts & have the middle school students come explore.

• Internships for Students
• Job Shadowing for Students
• Community Service Projects
• School Beautification
• Tutors
• Speakers/Subject Matter Experts
• PTA Fundraisers

We’re seeking partners in education to help enrich our Virginia Beach Schools! Opportunities include internships and job shadowing for students, community service projects, school beautification, tutoring, guest speaking and PTA fundraisers. Your involvement can make a real difference. Together, we can enhance our students' educational experiences and strengthen our community!

Contact Jen McGowan at jennifer.mcgowan@vbschools.com to get connected to a school that needs your help.

The Partners in Education program supports collaborative efforts between schools and our community that promote academic success and personal growth for the division's students. Community partners from businesses, military commands, faith-based groups and civic organizations work with schools to design innovative educational opportunities to meet the eight areas of wellness students need to be successful.

Your business or organization may initiate a partnership by:

• Contacting the school you wish to partner with and speaking with the school’s Community Engagement Liaison (CEL);
• Completing a Partners in Education Information Form to be introduced in this newsletter as a potential new partner; or
• Calling the Office of Family and Community Engagement at 757.263.1799 to learn more about how your organization can become a VBCPS Partner in Education.

Children's Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.) is dedicated to transforming lives by providing assistive technology to children with disabilities at no cost to their families. Through the generous support of our community, we connect children with the tools they need to thrive, whether it's mobility aids, communication devices, or other essential equipment.

As we enter a new year, we want to spread the word to more more families in need of our services and welcome new and existing donors to kick off the new year with a donation so that we may expand our impact. Together, we can make a difference for children in need.

Visit www.atdevicesforkids.org to learn how C.A.T.S. can support your family or how you can help bring joy and independence to these children. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our mission!

Virginia Beach Court-Appointed Special Advocates (VB CASA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are too young to speak for themselves in the complicated family legal system.

WHO are CASA Volunteers?

VB CASA need people from all walks of life who are good communicators/listeners, objective-thinking, patient, detailed-oriented and care about the welfare of children. As a volunteer, you will be trained, mentored, and supported by professional staff as well as other experienced volunteers.

HOW Do CASA Volunteers Help?

CASAs serve as the eyes-and-ears of juvenile court judges and offer them critical information needed to ensure that each child’s needs/rights are both prioritized and safeguarded.

CASA volunteers talk with the child (ren), family members, social workers, education professionals, health care providers, lawyers and others who are knowledgeable of the child's history. CASAs also prepare written reports for the judge, information acquired while on the case, and stay on a case until the child is placed in a safe/permanent home.

CONTACT US

Email: info@virginiabeachcasa.org

Website: https://www.virginiabeachcasa.org

Join an Information Session: Virginia Beach CASA Information Session

Volunteer: Become a CASA Advocate

Address: 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10/Ground Floor, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Phone: (757) 385-5616

Unlock a world of parenting support with Bright by Text! Sign up today by texting PARENT to 274 448 or visiting our website: https://www.brightbytext.org/Families

Built on the same partnerships and processes as VBrelief, VBthrive will take the program a step further, shifting toward long-term results by providing in depth coaching to guide individuals and families as they seek to advance their goals and position themselves toward an even brighter future.

The program, which was inspired by the successful Aspire pilot launched and funded by Women United, will focus on providing support to the 50,000 families in Virginia Beach who qualify as ALICE and are struggling to make ends meet. VBthrive will work with a variety of partners to support these individuals and families in five critical areas:

• Mentoring
• Housing
• Employment & Education
• Financial Management
• Wellbeing

VBthrive was launched thanks to the support of a three-year, $15 million grant from the City of Virginia Beach with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The program will also provide $10 million in business relief grants through LISC Hampton Roads.

https://unitedwayshr.org/what-we-do/vbthrive/https://unitedwayshr.org/what-we-do/vbthrive/

Great information from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network spotlighting trauma informed school resources and a CHKD parenting blog about going back to school positive, prepared and productive https://www.chkd.org/Blog/Going-Back-to-School-%E2%80%93-Positive,-Prepared,-and-Productive/

The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art invites Hampton Roads artists of all ages to participate in our upcoming exhibition Open (C)all 2025: Dear Earth. The exhibition will be displayed in conjunction with Virginia MOCA’s main gallery exhibition Duke Riley: O’er the Wide and Plastic Sea.

Learn more here.

By offering young minds creative writing classes and workshops, we welcome young writers to explore and develop their unique voices, improve their craft, and pursue professional opportunities in the literary world. This Fall, we are offering our creative writing classes for Middle School and High School students PLUS a Game Writing Class for Middle and High School Youth! CHECK OUT OUR FALL YOUTH CLASSES →

We at Virginia Opera want to take this moment to connect or reconnect with our valued community partners – in schools, homeschoolers, and families – at the start of a new year.

As we begin the second half of our 2024-2025 season, we invite you to engage with us at one of our Student Night at the Opera (SNATO) events, where students and families visit with us at the Harrison Opera House here in Norfolk to attend the final dress rehearsals of our mainstage operas. SNATO events are unique and educational experiences that provide the excitement of live opera performances.

There are two remaining performances this season, both at the Harrison Opera House at 7 pm:

February 19, 2025: Mozart’s Così fan tutte

April 23, 2025: Damien Geter’s Loving v. Virginia

The Student Night at the Opera for Loving v. Virginia is an especially exciting opportunity for students. Audiences who attend this final dress rehearsal will be among the first people to ever see this opera in its entirety – two days before its world premiere on April 25, 2025.

Free digital study guides and resource lists will be made available for both performances. The study guide contains, among other items, cast information and the plot summary of the opera.

For those interested in attending our 2024-2025 SNATO evenings, please refer to the attached flyer. You can reserve seats via this link: https://ticketing.vaopera.org/events?promo=SNATO25.

We hope you’ll consider joining Virginia Opera at the Harrison Opera House this season, whether as newcomers or as seasoned opera aficionados. For additional information, please contact us at education@vaopera.org. Thanks again for inviting Virginia Opera into your community and allowing us to engage with students and families all over this region.

All our best,

Karen and Allison

Allison R. Smith, Ph.D. (she/her)

Civic Engagement Coordinator

Virginia Opera

Building a Loving Community | Opera in Your Neighborhood

Virtually Amazing Opera | Student Night at the Opera

allison.smith@vaopera.org

757.627.9545 ext. 3354

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, contact Christina at Christina.Pasterczyk@pjunited.com

This year marks the third year of the Kenneth Dorsey Jr Foundation's Reading Pals Program! The program invites high school students and community partners to read with 4th and 5th grade students at Bettie F Williams Elementary School. The Reading Pals Program is in partnership with Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads.

If you are interested in volunteering please be on the lookout for upcoming signups via our Eventbrite page. Also, if you organization would like to sponsor an upcoming session, please reach out via email at Executivedirector@kennethdorseyjrfoundation.org

Kenneth Dorsey Jr Foundation Events - 1 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite

Youth Volunteer Corp Hampton Roads

Youth Volunteer Corp Hampton Roads provides team-based service-learning opportunities for youth ages 11-18. We aim to engage youth in service projects that are challenging, rewarding and educational. We strive to provide many different types of service projects for our youth so that they can understand a vast array of needs within our community. We have done projects involving food insecurity, environment, STEM, construction, elderly, disabilities and more. For upcoming projects, please check out our project calendar or email us at vbprograms@yvchr.org.

Just Serve

JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community.

JustServe is a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in posting projects or in encouraging volunteers to serve according to our guidelines.

EquiKids/EquiVets

Founded in 1989, EQUI-KIDS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers equine­assisted services and programs to children and adults with special needs. EQUI-KIDSis a Premier Accredited Center through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), which differentiates us as a center that provides the highest level of equine-specialized professionals and program services delivery. EQUI-KIDS currently offers a variety of equine­assisted activities and programs including, therapeutic riding, school partnership, hippotherapy (physical, occupational and/or speech therapy services using a horse), mental health services, First Responders, EQUI-VETS (serving both active duty and retired veterans), and job coaching.

Side Walkers

Side walkers assist with grooming and

tacking the horses before the lesson. During the lesson, side walkers directly assist the participants by providing guidance, physical and emotional safety, and encouragement.

Horse Leaders

Horse leaders assist with grooming, tacking and warming up the horses before the lesson. During the lesson, horse leaders are directly responsible for leading the horse and ensure the horse stays focused and comfortable during the lesson.

Barn Volunteers

Barn volunteers help to clean stalls, tack, equipment and assist with repairs around the farm.

Office and Special Event Volunteers

These volunteers help with fundraising events, assist with administrative projects, and greet participants and guests at the reception desk.

Volunteer Teams

We always welcome corporate workgroups, community services teams, and other parties looking to offer their time on special projects.

Email volunteer@equikids.org for more information

Veteran's Homefront

Individuals of all ages, groups and/or organizations are needed to come together and support the ending of veteran homelessness and reducing the number of veteran suicides by supporting the Parking Lot Ministry Program (PLM).

Whether you, your group and/or organization volunteer once a month, quarterly, or once a year at 6:30 am on Saturdays in the Walmart parking lot in Chesapeake, Virginia, your support is what we need.

Please use the following link to select one (or more) month(s) if you or your organization would like to be added to our Saturday volunteer calendar.

Contact Antoine Hines at veteranshomefront@gmail.com for additional information.

Conservation Youth Team at the Virginia Zoo

The Conservation Youth Team (CYT) program is a high school volunteer and youth development program that was created for teens who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and helping their community. Throughout the year, CYT participants learn about conservation issues, educate zoo guests about our animals, support our Safari Camp programs, and visit local organizations to participate in service projects benefiting the community. As a member of the Conservation Youth Team, teens will develop important job and life skills, build self-confidence, and earn community service hours!

The program is structured to make their time here more robust yet flexible, and hopefully more accessible to a greater number of teens. There is no minimum GPA requirement. There are also a few scholarships available that cover the first-year fees.

Contact Sarah Peterson for additional information:

Sarah.Peterson@norfolk.gov

Guest Engagement Coordinator | Virginia Zoo

757-441-2374 Ext. 224 | 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504

virginiazoo.org

Red Cross - Volunteers Needed

The Red Cross has a critical level need. They are currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers. This is having a direct impact on blood collection efforts. They need volunteers who are 18+ to serve as Blood Donor Ambassadors. This is a simple and very rewarding position. They would serve as the greeter and registration at the fixed sites in Virginia Beach and Norfolk.

To get started go to go to Volunteer Connection www.redcross.org/volunteertoday and complete your registration. Select Blood Donor Ambassador as the position. After completing the registration, send your name to katie.niehoff@redcross.org to expedite your registration to get volunteering quickly.

Hunger Warriors - Fresh Food Wednesdays

BRING HOPE TO YOUR COMMUNITY.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Fresh Food Wednesdays Food Distribution serves over 1,000 people every week in Virginia Beach. We are looking for volunteers to help us load & unload food supplies, pack food boxes, and distribute food to help make a difference. The need is great. Join us and battle food insecurity in our community!

409 Virginia Beach Blvd

757-428-3720

gatheratscott.com

office@gatheratscott.com

Christian Resource Center

Tutors are needed on Wednesday evenings in all subjects.

549 Newtown Road, Suite #105

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

757-985-3451

Contact Maria Lorenzi at mlorenzicrc@gmail.com for more information

Nauticus

There are many volunteer opportunities available for youth including Gift Shop, Discovery Crew (Education), Guest Ambassador (Admissions). They will be able to assist our crew with greeting and check-in guests, lead STEM-focused education programs and battleship tours, select the perfect museum souvenir to purchase, and more!

To receive information on the positions as well as apply using our online application, visit: https://nauticus.org/volunteer-at-nauticus/

For additional information:

https://nauticus.org/volunteer/

Contact: Susie Hill, Volunteer Resource Manager, 757-664-1043, volunteer@nauticus.org

Girls On The Run Hampton Roads

High school girls can serve as Junior Coaches during our Fall and/or Spring seasons. They assist Head Coaches in the preparation and delivery of our curriculum to a team of girls in grades 3 through 5. Great opportunity for those interested in education! Contact Erin Highton for more information: erin@gotrhr.org or 757-965-9040. https://www.gotrhr.org/Coach

Marian Manor Senior Living

Volunteers needed to help with our activities program, dining, and maintenance. Contact Karen Land at karen@marian-manor.com.

Elementary, Middle, and High School and Adults.

Virginia Beach Youth Opportunities Office

Virginia Beach Mayor's Youth Leaders in Action: www.VBgov.com/myla

Parks and Recreation Volunteers. Contact Donovan McGuire at dmcguir@vbgov.com.

Middle and High School

First Landing State Park

Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of tasks from trail clean up to assist in our main office. Contact Jennifer Huggins at jennifer.huggins@dcr.virginia.gov.

Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Adult Learners, Elementary must have an adult present.

Armed Services YMCA

Read all about our program by visiting our website at asymca.org/hampton-roads-home and clicking on the What We Do on our ribbon. We look forward to hearing from you. Contact Laura Roberts, Youth Enrichment Program Director at lroberts@asymca.org

High School and Adults

Mini-Me Events - Engineering Your Future Today

For more information contact contact@engineeringyourfuturetoday.com.

High School and Adults

Wave City Care

We do school makeovers, feed families at Thanksgiving, do gifts at Christmas for families in need, offer food distribution, and more! We need volunteers for all of these opportunities each season. Contact Amanda Beery at Amanda@wavecitycare.com

High School and Adults

Youth Opportunities Office

The Teen Media Studio housed at Williams Farm Recreation Center is recruiting teens to share their talent and experience in the field of digital media. Volunteers must have an interest in the following areas: music recording, audio engineering, photography, and videography. Teens will earn experience and community service hours. Contact Tre Hill at lhill@vbgov.com.

Middle and High School

Zeiders American Dream Theater

Visit https://thez.org/volunteer/ for more information.

High School and Adults

Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc.

We will be posting a link for community service/volunteer opportunities soon. Contact: Dr. Ross-Hammond at info@vaaccvb.org. For example, we have students interested in forming a Summer Book club to read books authored by African Americans and opportunities to read to youth.

High School and Adults

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation

Limited volunteer positions are available at this time within various units. If you are interested in volunteering with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, complete the please visit VBgov.com/parks or call (757) 385-1100 or email fun@VBgov.com. Sign up for Parks & Rec email newsletters at VBgov.com/eNews. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/VBparksrec.

Contact Margaret Sullivan-Rucka at 757-385-0424

Middle School, High School, Adults

Family Connection is an outreach of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) to link Virginia Beach families to classes, training, resources and other opportunities to help connect parents to their students’ education. View the list of recordings on the Family Connection webpage.

You may also contact the Office of Family and Community Engagement at 757.263.1821 or by email should you have any questions.

Promote‌ ‌and‌ ‌expand‌ ‌equitable‌ ‌access‌ ‌to‌ ‌services‌ ‌and‌ ‌programs‌ ‌that‌ ‌support‌ ‌families‌ ‌and‌ ‌students'‌ ‌through‌ ‌mutually‌ ‌supportive‌ ‌partnerships.‌ ‌-‌ ‌Partner‌ ‌with‌ ‌local‌ ‌agencies‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌wraparound‌ ‌services‌ ‌for‌ ‌students‌ ‌including‌ ‌early‌ ‌childhood‌ ‌supports,‌ ‌volunteers,‌ ‌childcare‌ ‌and‌ ‌funding‌ ‌opportunities.‌

For more information contact Mary Hunt at mary.hunt@vbschools.com

Built on the same partnerships and processes as VBrelief, VBthrive will take the program a step further, shifting toward long-term results by providing in depth coaching to guide individuals and families as they seek to advance their goals and position themselves toward an even brighter future.

The program, which was inspired by the successful Aspire pilot launched and funded by Women United, will focus on providing support to the 50,000 families in Virginia Beach who qualify as ALICE and are struggling to make ends meet. VBthrive will work with a variety of partners to support these individuals and families in four critical areas:

• Mentoring
• Housing
• Workforce Development
• Wraparound Services

VBthrive was launched thanks to the support of a three-year, $15 million grant from the City of Virginia Beach with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The program will also provide $10 million in business relief grants through LISC Hampton Roads.

HOW IT WORKS

Referral & Intake:

• After receiving a referral or direct inquiry, we'll conduct a needs assessment to identify opportunity areas
• Care Coordination:
• You'll meet one-on-one with one of our mentors to discuss your goals and identify next steps.
• Action Plan:
• Your mentor will work with you to create a personalized, step-by-step action plan based on your goals.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Resident of Virginia Beach, VA
• Have income from employment or benefits, or if neither, are enrolled in school
• 18-years-of-age of older
• Impacted by COVID-19
• NOT living on the street or in an emergency shelter, and has NOT received an eviction notice

SUBMITTING A REFERRAL

Ways to submit a referral:

• Visit https://unitedwayshr.org/what-we-do/vbthrive/
• Visit our Resource Center on the second floor of the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library during open hours:
• Monday through Thursday: 11AM - 6 PM
• Friday: 11 AM - 5 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM - 1 PM
• Call us at 757-385-0113

ChildCareVA.com provides a comprehensive repository of resources and information to make choosing safe, quality child care easier for parents. ChildCareVA also exists to inform caretakers about the benefits of becoming a licensed child care provider or subsidy provider, and keep current providers up-to- date on the latest news and requirements.

Features of the website to explore and:

• An "Ask the Right Questions" page where parents can review and print off a checklist of questions and considerations when making decisions about child care
• A newsroom with the latest information for Virginia child care
• The child care facilities search bar which provides an easy way to search for providers and view any licensing violations
• Information on the benefits of becoming a licensed child care provider and subsidy provider

Feel comfortable and confident with your choice of child care by asking the right questions of a potential provider, because choosing safe, quality care isn't child's play.

Website: https://bit.ly/2YsPSEj

Email: vbcpsface@vbschools.com
Website: https://www.vbschools.com/community/face
Location: 641 Carriage Hill Road, Suite 200 Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-263-1821
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VBFACE1
Twitter: @VBFACE1