June 2021 News
Program Updates
Conference Highlights
May 18 – 20th, 2021, Project LIFE provided a 3 day Spring Virtual Conference. The theme of this conference was “The LIFE Network,” a play on local television programming. Each workshop was a spin-off from popular television shows. Throughout the conference, we had pre-recorded celebrity cameo videos and commercial breaks that spotlighted IL resources for the youth. Everyone actively participated with our engaging presenters, and everyone had so much fun. Gifts for attendees were mailed and emailed last week. Click the button below to see all of the conference wrap up info, including some of the commercial resources, all in one place. Conference Info
George’s Guest Appearance on a Podcast
FXBG Mission is a podcast that unites the community while raising awareness for mental health and wellness in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The vision of the podcast is to prevent the stigma and help people know that they are not alone. Episode 10 highlights the great work of Project LIFE, its relation to mental health, and their great work in Virginia. Special thank you to George Mack for being this episode’s unwavering guest. You can watch the full episode by clicking the button below. Watch it Here.
To learn about the many ways you can get plugged into Project LIFE, visit the Get Involved page on our website, or complete our contact form to request more information.
Have you checked out our new website yet?
We are excited to share that Project LIFE has a new website! Thanks to the feedback you all have shared with us over the last year, we have updated key parts of our site to improve how each of you accesses the information you need most – including new regional pages that highlight your region’s events, staff, and news!
Take me to the new site!
Upcoming Statewide Events
Talk it Out Tuesdays
Dates: June 1 + 15, 2021 | Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ring Central Application
Feeling isolated due to COVID? Need someone to connect with? Miss talking with peers? Talk it Out Tuesdays is an open platform for youth to talk with other youth and trusted adults about anything on their minds. Hosted by Jamesia and Melissa, you can join in this social session by registering with the button below. Register Here.
Virtual Real World (rescheduled!)
Dates: June 3 + June 24, 2021 | Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Virtual event via ZOOM
Take two: We’ve rescheduled with the VA Cooperative Extension to offer 2 more sessions. Join us for a simulation of the Real World that concretely addresses education and employment decisions youth make in combination with lifestyle choices. The challenge will be to develop a budget on everyday needs and wants while responding to real life situational crises. There will be opportunities for discussions, re-evaluating decisions and processing information learned. Sign up for one of the sessions; space is limited to the first 20 registrants. Contact Melissa if you have questions.
Register Here for June 3. Register Here for June 24.
Summer Bucket List Bingo
Dates: July 1- August 27, 2021
Get ready for some fun summer activities with your PL team! We are putting together a list of activities, experiences, and tasks on a BINGO board. To win prizes, you will need to get a BINGO on the board by completing the items in the squares and turning it in. This event series will start on July 1 and will end on August 27. More info will be shared as it gets closer.
Parenting Together with the Basics
Date: July 21, 2021 | Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Virtual events via Ring Central Application
Are you a parent to a young child? The baby stage is hard, and some say the toddler stage is even harder. Band together with other parents to connect with one another and to learn basic ways to improve your child’s brain growth. We’ve already covered 3 topics, and we’ll cover the last two topics in July. (NOTE: There will be NO meeting in June.) This will be the last session. These groups are facilitated by a peer parent and the PL staff. Register once using the button below. Contact Kelly with questions. Register Here.
Upcoming Regional Events
Northern Region hosts Juneteenth Movie Night: Two Distant Strangers
Date: June 15, 2021 | Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Events via the Ring Central Application
George in the Northern region is hosting this moving night for youth in all regions. Join us for a short movie screening and healthy open discussion about the celebration of Juneteenth. This short film is a recent Oscar winning film, so have your popcorn ready to kick back with us. Contact George Mack through email or 804.239.1044 if you have any questions regarding this event or if you need more information.Register Here.
Western’s Monthly IL Sessions
Virtual trainings via the Ring Central Application
Aros is the Western area IL consultant for the PL team. He meets with several agencies each month for their planned IL Sessions. Some common trainings that he offers are financial literacy, good credit, permanency, and many more. Let Aros know of an area of Independent Living skills that the youth could benefit from, and he will make it work! If your Western-region agency has a plan to get your youth together and would like Aros to lead a training, please reach out to him at aherndon@umfs.org.
Eastern Region’s Sumer Series with VLPP
The Eastern region is partnering with the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood (VLPP) for a 3 course summer series. Read on for info about the three stand-alone sessions. All sessions will be virtual through the Ring Central Application. Contact Melissa if you plan on attending or if you need more information. If you are not a youth from the Eastern region but are interested in attending, reach out to Melissa.
Session 1: Healthy Relationships
Date: June 29, 2021 | Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Youth will be given an overview of signs of a healthy relationship/friendship, discussion about desirable qualities in a partner/friend, and healthy boundaries.
Session 2: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Date: July 13, 2021 | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Youth will be given an overview of sexually transmitted infections, including symptoms, prevention, treatment methods, and testing options.
Session 3: Sex and Technology
Date: August 9, 2021 | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Youth and the facilitator will discuss the role that technology plays in dating and sexual relationships.
Eastern Region Independent Living Coordinators Committee (ILCC) Meeting
Date: July 14, 2021 | Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Virtual Video Conference with the Ring Central Application
All Eastern region DSS agencies and private providers are invited to attend to discuss independent living needs for youth in this region. Contact Melissa if you plan on attending or if you need more information.
Additional Events and Resources
Peer Support Groups
Date: June 6, 2021 | Time: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Formed Families Together are virtual & in-person support groups led by trained peer leaders with personal & professional experience. We provide a safe space fo
foster & adoptive parents & kinship caregivers to share their experiences, concerns, frustrations, & resources! Virtual groups will meet via Zoom on the 1st Sunday of every month starting June 6, 2021 from 7:30PM to 9PM. In-person groups will meet in Fairfax City on the 3rd Wednesday of every month starting June 16, 2021 from 7PM to 8:30PM. Interested in joining? Register here or visit their website. Registration opens May 3.
Car Ownership Info Session
Date: June 15, 2021 | Time: 4:00 p.m.
Impact Living Services is hosting a presentation from a former ILS Harrisonburg youth who is a certified mechanic and now works full-time as a mechanic locally. His info session will be about car ownership and car maintenance basics. A sign-up/ announcement flyer is coming soon, and youth may be able to join virtually if they can’t attend in person. Email Samantha with questions and for updates.
