July 2022 News
Program Updates
Staff Transition
The Project LIFE team has some staff news to share. Jamesia Harrison, Piedmont Region IL Consultant with Project LIFE, has accepted an opportunity as the Director of Marketing and Communication in Atlanta, Georgia. Her last day on the Project LIFE team was Friday June 24, 2022.
Jamesia began her career at UMFS in 2014 as the Community Liaison for Bridges out of Poverty initiative. She then joined Project LIFE in 2016. Jamesia’s passion and commitment to empowering and serving at-risk youth over the years has been displayed through her work in Project LIFE. Jamesia brought a creative outlook to our team over the years.
In leaving, Jamesia shared that, “The Project LIFE team has become the family I never knew I needed. George, thanks for being an amazing leader/supervisor and now friend.” And to the youth that we work with, she leaves these parting words. “You’re so dope, gifted, valuable, and capable. Don’t allow anyone to hinder the amazing life you can have, not even yourself!”
We wish her the best in her future endeavors. Any questions about the staff vacancy or previously scheduled events in the region can be directed to George Mack.
Upcoming Statewide Events
Virtual Driving Prep Session: “Things To Know Before You Go”
Dates: July 6 or 7 or August 17 or 18, 2022 | Times: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in July; 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in August; for youth via Ring Central
All PL youth are invited to join us for a 1 hour virtual driving support session. We will cover DMV traffic signs and commonly missed test questions. We will wrap up with a Q&A session with driving instructor Trina Harris of Aapex Driving School, Inc. This same session is being offered at 4 different times, so choose the one that best fits your schedule, or come to as many as you want for additional practice. Register using the button below, or contact Melissa.
Northern Region Hosts Virtual Training on Casey Life Skills Assessment Changes
Date: July 12, 2022 | Time: 1:00 p.m. for professionals via Zoom
4 agencies in the Northern Region, including Project LIFE, are partnering to host a virtual training. Join us to learn about recent changes to the Casey Life Skills Assessment (CLSA.) As of April 11, 2022, the CLSA website stopped processing new assessments. On May 9, 2022, all youth data maintained on the Casey Life Skills Assessment website was deleted. All LDSS workers who are responsible for conducting CLSAs will need to download the new CLSA toolkit. Project LIFE will help explain the changes and will train on how to utilize the new formats of the assessment. Register by July 8 using the linked button below. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Reach out to Lanie.Dosland@alexandria.gov or Gmack@umfs.org with questions. You can download the full flyer here.
Talk it Out Tuesdays Remixed
Date: July 19, 2022 | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for youth via Ring Central and continuing the third Tuesday of every month
(NOTE THE NEW TIME FOR JULY.) Talk it out Tuesdays is coming back and is “remixed.” On the third Tuesday of the month, youth can take advantage of a safe space to connect with their peers. Youth can bring their own topics to chat about, or the group can talk about the topic of the month. The first topic series is “Careers and Coins.” Register once and attend as many as you want! (Note: there is a new meeting link as of Feb. 1.) Reach out to Melissa with questions.
Upcoming Regional Events
Eastern Region’s College Tours
Norfolk State University (NSU) Campus Tour
Date: July 13, 2022 | Time: 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. For Youth and Professionals at 700 Park Ave., Norfolk, VA 23504at 3900 West Broad St, Richmond
Project LIFE invites you to tour NSU. RSVP to Melissa, and plan to meet on campus. Please come to Gate 1 and park in Lot 3 next to the President’s house. The tour will start at 2:00. Contact Melissa through email if you plan on attending.
Christopher Newport University (CNU) Campus Tour
Date: July 21, 2022 | Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. For Youth and Professionals at CNU, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore CNU. Meet at the Office of Admissions at the address listed above. The tour will start at 10:00 am. Contact Melissa through email if you plan on attending.
Eastern Region’s Power Through Choices Group
Dates: July 25-29, 2022 | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily for youth at UMFS, 1300 Diamond Springs Rd, Suite 401, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
All Eastern youth are invited to attend this week-long series and group. The Virginia League of Planned Parenthood is leading this group. Power Through Choices is specifically designed for youth who are in systems of care. It’s evidence-based and the goal is to provide youth in systems of care with specific information and skills to help them avoid risk-taking sexual behavior and reduce pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs. It is preferred that youth attend daily in this series, but youth can attend individual sessions. (Please note the 5 participant minimum needed to conduct this series.) Contact Melissa through email if you plan on attending.
Central Region’s Parenting Together Group
Dates: July 27, August 24, September 28, 2022 | Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for youth at UMFS, 3900 West Broad St., Richmond, VA
Any Virginia youth, aged 14-23, who has experienced foster care and is a parent, or soon to be parent, to a young child is invited to attend this three-part series. This group will learn together in a safe space while relating with other peers in the same stage. Attendees can bring their child(ren) with them to this group, and will be connected to resources, local experts, and prizes/gifts. Contact Olivia for more information.
Eastern Region’s Cooking Camp
Dates: August 8-12, 2022 | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. for youth at ForKids, 1001 Poindexter St., Chesapeake, VA 23324
Healthy Chesapeake presents, “Healthy Chef Summer Cooking Camp: Basic Skills 101!” In this week-long series, youth will learn knife skills/safety, how to make a sauce, how to sauté, how to cook pasta/grains, how to cook veggies. On the last day, camp participants can bring someone else to cook for! Youth will the put their skills to the test and will create their own meal. Registration is required as space is limited; email Melissa to attend.
Additional Events and Resources
Attention Youth: Transportation Assistance Program (TAP)
There is a new special budget to specifically help eligible youth with transportation needs and fees, like obtaining a driver’s license, vehicle insurance, driver’s education classes and testing fees, practice lessons, practice hours, license fees, and even assistance in purchasing an automobile. If you are a youth already 15 and not yet 23, you may be eligible for this assistance! First contact your local DSS worker and tell them you’re interested in the transportation assistance program. If you get stuck, or you are a worker trying to help your youth and need help, you can reach out to Gwen Castillo at VDSS through her email address.
