Sentara Health: “Sentara Health is proud to continue its support of Youth For Tomorrow (YFT), a non-profit providing a range of services to support at-risk youth and families in Northern Virginia.”
“On August 24, leaders from Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) presented YFT with a $98,000 grant in support of behavioral health services. The evening included a buffet dinner hosted by YFT and a presentation of the play, ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ that Sentara brought to the YFT campus in Bristow. A panel discussion with behavioral health professionals followed the production allowing the audience to share in the themes explored through the one-actor play.”
“The theatrical production, ‘Every Brilliant Thing,’ was created in 2022 by Virginia Stage Company with support from Sentara. The play blends comedy, improv, and audience interaction to tell the story of someone growing up in the shadow of their mother’s struggle with depression. Last year, the play was presented in several venues in the Hampton Roads area. Sentara will bring the play back to Northern Virginia for a performance in Woodbridge in mid-October, details will soon be available.”
“Youth For Tomorrow provides a range of services to support at-risk youth and families – they work to guide them to a better future. Originally envisioned by noted football coach Joe Gibbs in 1983, Youth For Tomorrow opened its doors in 1986.”
Stafford’s third annual Via Colori festival will be a weekend of family-friendly creativity and fun that celebrates artists and brings the community together. The Discover Stafford Museum and Cultural Club and the Rotary Clubs of Stafford and North Stafford host the event.
Via Colori was founded in 1994 in Naples, Florida, as a modern twist on a centuries-old tradition of street painting. Today, Stafford is one of only two communities holding Vias Colori, according to the founder.
The festival features dozens of artists who will create street art with chalk in allotted square spaces. Attendees can walk past each artist’s section periodically throughout the day to mark the progress of their favorite works. Kids of all ages can enjoy Via Bambini, a special team where they can try chalk drawing, and don’t miss out on live music from the Via Musica stage.
This year’s Featured Artist is Lizabeth Castellano-King, a New York native who primarily works in watercolors and digital art. She has participated in all three of Staffords’ Vias Colori and has been helping other artists learn how to work in chalk with a Via Tutori workshop.
The 2023 event also features Local Signature Artist Anna Chavez Naples, an art teacher and events coordinator for Adventure Brewing Co. Anna’s artworks are influenced by her Mexican and Norwegian heritage.
Proceeds from Via Colori go to Stafford County Public Schools’ cultural, educational, student leadership, and student aid projects. In the past, Via Colori funds have been used to commission murals in the schools, give out scholarships, hold a speech, essay and music contests, distribute school supplies, and hand out coats and hygiene supplies for students in need.
The funds are raised through Artist Square sponsorships.
Via Colori sponsors have their names displayed prominently above their Artists’ Square and benefit from the fact that people tend to revisit artists many times to check in on the progress of the work.
This year’s event will occur from Saturday, September 23, through Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Stafford Regional Airport. In addition to providing plenty of space for artworks, vendors, and entertainment, the airport has accessible parking and will provide restrooms.
Young Marines: "The Young Marines, a national youth organization, is looking for leadership for a unit in Manassas. The Young Marines, meet at the American Legion Robert V. McMaugh Memorial Post 10 located at 9950 Cockrell Road. The unit has been active since 2002."
"The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The program focuses on character building, leadership, self-discipline, and promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle."
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International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers:Â “The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 made a substantial food donation to the Haymarket Food Pantry on Tuesday, August 22 at 11:00 a.m.”
“This donation is being made in response to repeated public testimony from members of the community calling for additional food resources as supplies struggle to meet demand. Every year since the pandemic has been record breaking for the Haymarket Food Pantry in terms of meals served. Since 2018 the food pantry has seen a 94% increase in families coming in for assistance.”
“Last year the pantry served 37000 individuals. This year that number has
already been surpassed. Food insecurity has been on the rise across the region. Families making under $105000 a year are food insecure. We are proud as an organization to pay our journeymen electricians $110240. High paying union jobs are a great path to the middle class and out of insecurity. Over 24,310 people in Prince William County are food insecure.”
To help ensure every child in Prince William County has a healthy start to the new school year, vaccines, dental screenings and cleanings, and school supplies will be offered at no charge during a two-day Community Back-to-School Event on August 11 and 12:
The free vaccine and dental clinic will take place on Friday, August 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at two locations:
- Unity Braxton Middle School, 10100 Lomond Drive, Manassas, VA
- Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA
The free Community Back-to-School Event (and school supply distribution) will take place on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at:
- Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is proud to be one of the sponsors of this Prince William County Community Foundation initiative. Sentara will also have its Family Health Connection Mobile Clinic available on August 12 to provide primary care services to adults who qualify.
Click here for more information.
BEACON For English Language and Literacy: "BEACON for English Language and Literacy is excited to announce a new partnership with Manassas Baptist Church to expand access to their English and Citizenship classes for adult learners in Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park."
"Students who wish to register, must schedule an appointment via BEACON’s webpage. We are profoundly grateful for our invaluable partnership with Manassas Baptist Church. This collaboration brings with it a crucial expansion of in-person classroom space, empowering adult learners who are eager to enroll in our classes."
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Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative: “Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) awarded $1,500 scholarships to 14 area high school seniors in May. An independent panel of judges evaluated applicants on their academic records, community involvement, work experience, demonstrated leadership, recommendations, and essays.”
“Judges also recognized Alexis Francis, of Prince William County, as the most outstanding student among the group of recipients. She received an additional $1,500 as the winner of the J. Manley Garber Scholarship, named for the late NOVEC Board of Directors chairman. Francis plans to attend Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia.”
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Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association: “Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will join more than 500 representatives of VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement), the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, during a Northern Virginia assembly on July 9 that is being held to highlight the impact of the mental health and drug use crisis on young people across the Commonwealth.”
“During the meeting, the members of the coalition will ask the Governor to prioritize actions to address the crisis and support those with significant new resources.”
- Youth Behavioral Health Assembly hosted by VOICE, VACP, VHHA
- Sunday, July 9, 2023, 3-4:30 p.m.
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 18410 Chapel Dr., Triangle, VA 22172
Volunteers of America: “Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas (VOACC) will launch its annual Operation Backpack back-to-school campaign on July 7, 2023… The goal of this year’s campaign is to raise $50,000 and collect brand-new backpacks, supplies, and school uniforms to support at least 3,000 boys and girls from income-constrained families in Maryland, DC, Virginia & North Carolina.”
“Initiatives like Operation Backpack® play an important role in helping to fill the gap in academic proficiency for children who are underserved and have experienced homelessness. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, children experiencing homelessness are more likely to show delayed development and have twice the rate of learning disabilities compared to non-homeless children. Among children who experienced homelessness in the U.S. in 2018, less than 30 percent achieved academic proficiency in reading, mathematics, and science.”
“Funding to support Operation Backpack® is made possible through corporate sponsorships and individual donations. This year’s premiere sponsors include Sentara Health and Wellpoint.”
Drop-off point:
- IKEA Woodbridge
- 2901 Potomac Mills Cir, Woodbridge, VA 22192
- Date: Fri, August 4
- Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
