Research shows that making music can create changes in the human brain, especially strengthening connections between the auditory and motor regions. In addition to the potential benefits music can provide a child with autism in speech and academic learning, Villa volunteer Lydia Heitman shows it’s just plain fun! For three summers, Lydia has brought joy to our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism students through music while helping them achieve individual ...Read More
Interior designer Carol Pipes volunteered her time and expertise to plan a warm and welcoming space for youth in mental health crisis and their families. Thanks also to our hardworking Facilities team and volunteers from Altria, our Crisis Stabilization Unit is getting a new coat of paint and new handmade wall decorations. Stay tuned for a look at the finished building! Our Crisis Stabilization Unit operates 24 hours a day, ...Read More
This post was written by Destiney, who has interned at St. Joseph's Villa for the past three summers through Partnership for the Future. We wish her all the best as she begins her next exciting phase as a college student! My very first day at St. Joseph’s Villa, on June 22nd, 2015, I immediately noticed the overflow of life. The campus was intertwined with vibrant blossoms, timeless architecture which showcased the history ...Read More
The holiday season is a very special time on the campus of St. Joseph’s Villa. Holiday traditions, new and old, are formed right here with the hope that they will bring peace and joy to the lives of our children and their families. The Villa, with help from our community, is proud to be able to provide warm clothing and gifts for these children who otherwise might not receive anything ...Read More
St. Joseph's Villa and Henrico CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) have enjoyed a longstanding partnership in serving the community's most vulnerable children. The Villa campus has hosted CASA's Superhero Run for the past seven years, and now, thanks to CASA, our campus will soon have a new resource to enhance the physical and mental health of Villa children and families. CASA is donating a shaded pavilion that can be used for a variety ...Read More
We're lucky to have so many Easter bunnies who care for our kids! Thanks to our generous community partners for donating a combined total of almost 200 baskets and 2,000 filled eggs for Villa children to enjoy! Capital One Lender Select The Laurels of Bon Air Grace Christian School Our Lady of Hope Epiphany Lutheran Church RBS Citizens Business Services Deep Run Key Club To learn how you can get ...Read More
Collegiate School's Community Engagement Week turned out to be a very special time for our Sarah Dooley Center for Autism students. From February 8-12, thirteen Collegiate School freshmen volunteers spent five full school days assisting our students from kindergarten all the way up to high school. Collegiate students split up among Sarah Dooley's grade levels and chose to stay with one classroom for the entire week in order to really get to know ...Read More
Because of the community's generosity during our Season of Hope: 225 Villa kids have new clothing and gifts to open 250 hygiene stockings were given to families in need $2,000 in grocery gift cards will provide children and families with hearty meals this holiday 15 newly housed families received clothing, toiletry and household items We can't thank our amazing donors and volunteers enough for making this such a special time of year ...Read More
Garth Callaghan, known nationwide as The Napkin Notes Dad, visited the Villa's Brook Road Academy and Dooley School in full Jedi apparel with a special holiday gift to impart to students: Star Wars toys. Why is Garth called The Napkin Notes Dad? Every day since his daughter Emma was in kindergarten, Garth wrote an inspirational note on a napkin and sent it in her lunch box. Garth has been diagnosed with cancer ...Read More
A new partnership with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity will help youth at St. Joseph’s Villa develop leadership and teamwork skills through real work experience. Students from the Villa’s Brook Road Academy, Dooley Center for Alternative Education, Dooley School and Sarah Dooley Center for Autism who participate in our Career and Transition Services (CATS) have joined Richmond Habitat’s ReStore work-readiness training program, where they perform jobs tailored to their abilities. As they manage inventory, stock items and clean, among other responsibilities, they have the opportunity to ...Read More
