Sommer Casto is as bright and warm as her name sake. As a Youth Development Specialist, Sommer gets to spread those traits while continuing to fuel her passion for working with kids and teens. “I know through the Teen Outreach Program and Positive Action I am making a difference in the community. I want kids …
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For the trendy topics trivia that you may already know: 13 Reasons Why recently dropped on Netflix April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM) How are those two related?! Stay tuned (ie read below)…but first… For those of you who haven’t had time to binge watch yet or who haven’t gotten all the way through …
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Sofia Martinez, Youth Development Specialist, fills a room with positive energy. Helping others has always been part of her life. As a social work student at Radford, she is working with local children and teens through Family Service’s Teen Outreach Program® and Positive Action. Her favorite part of spending time in schools and after school …
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If there is one thing I count myself lucky for it is that I am surrounded by plenty of social workers. Left to right: Tyler Hower, Jennifer Nolley, LCSW, and Jamie Starkey, MSW Social workers are the backbone of advocacy. They stare injustice in the face so others can grow. They help people know that …
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Local teens recently collected coats and food for other youth in their community. The project through Family Service’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®)allowed them to give back, joyfully delivering donations to the Presbyterian Community Center. They saw how positively they can impact the community. Your support of Family Service of Roanoke Valley allows us to partner with …
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Emily DeCarlo, LCSW has always loved seeing people, especially children, learn and grow. “Seeing their resiliency is all the motivation I need,” she said. Emily joined Family Service of Roanoke Valley as Manager of Community Counseling Programs in November 2016. She oversees community counseling programs in Youth Development like therapeutic day treatment, intensive in-home counseling, …
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“What you get the patient to tell you is worth much more than what you tell the patient.” Counseling—especially through asking the right questions and practicing therapeutic listening skills—can save the life of someone struggling with an eating disorder. Daryl Smith-Oswald, RD, LD, LLC, tells us in Today’s Dietitian article “Insights From Eating Disorder Counseling,” …
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What teens need to know about Dating Violence Our amazing team in Youth Development met with students from Forest Park Academy at Family Service Roanoke Valley offices last week. The Teen Outreach Program® participants participated in a round table discussion on teen dating violence. Facilitated by Emily DeCarlo, LCSW, Manager of Community Counseling Programs (pictured …
Feness, in 5th grade at the time, faced a stressful and slightly lonely life. She didn’t feel good about herself and was unsure what kind of person she would become. When Feness found Family Service of Roanoke Valley’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP) at the West End Center for Youth, she found people who cared. Read …
"Last December right before Christmas, I had a plan to end my life. I was still forcing a smile, so no one knew anything was wrong. I wasn’t going to tell them. I was simply going to do it, and leave an apology note for my kids." The brave woman, who will remain anonymous for …
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