Two weeks ago, I announced that I would be offering, pro bono, a one hour Resiliency Engagement Session for up to four local non-profits as my Valentine to the city that I call home. In the last year, Charlottesville has had to time and again dig deep into its resiliency as it has faced murderous attacks by white supremacist nationalists, experienced the wave of women speaking up in the national #metoo movement, and much more. I wanted a way to give back; offering these introductory courses on professional resilience was one way to do just that. The response was overwhelming! Within 12 hours, all four spots were claimed and I continued to get calls and emails. WOW!
What does this tell me? It tells me that we are hungry to dive deeper into ways we can become more resilient as individuals, as organizations, and as communities. Keep following along here for ways to do just that. I will continue to offer insights and practical ideas of building resilience and increasing our bounty both on this website and, soon, in live training sessions.
I want to introduce the four organizations that I will be working with over the course of the next few months. Their missions are all near and dear to my heart. I encourage you to check them out, support them if you can, and use them as a resource if you need them. I am so proud to be working with each of them.
The mission of The Women’s Initiative is to provide women with effective counseling, social support and education so they can transform life challenges into positive change and growth. The offer walk-in wellness clinics, sliding scale individual counseling, support groups, education opportunities and more.
Head Start provides a comprehensive early childhood development program for three- and four- year-old children from families in greatest need. Head Start children participate in a wide range of educational activities designed to enhance school readiness. Family Advocates provide case management support, assist parents in addressing social service needs, and help parents attain family management and parenting skills.
Foothills Child Advocacy Center
Foothills Child Advocacy Center provides a coordinated system of effective response and intervention to children who have been victimized. Their goals are to minimize trauma, promote healing, and ensure child safety. All children are entitled to be safe, healthy, nurtured and valued. Foothills Child Advocacy Center envisions a unified and just community whose members are knowledgeable about and invested in assuring that all child victims receive the benefit of a range of services available in the community.
Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA)
The mission of the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is to eliminate sexual violence and its impact by providing education, advocacy and support to men, women and children. Their vision is a community free from sexual violence.
Services are provided free to all survivors, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, economic status, education, parenthood, physical and/or mental abilities, national origin, immigration/documentation status or any other status.
Renee Branson 