Schools are letting out this week for an extended break. For parents who work, or those who are at home—it is stressful to figure what to do (or not do) when school is out. Family Service of Roanoke Valley provides life skills education to students from elementary school through high school to help with positive …
There are loads of reasons why the term “gaslighting” has been on my mind. It did come in as a runner-up to the 2018 Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year: toxic. To be honest (I know you expect nothing less of me), the announcement the Word of the Year is something I get super excited …
Continue reading “Gaslighting: More than a popular Google search”
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin Family Service of Roanoke Valley is proud to be the lead agency for a new collaborative effort ensuring our community invests in each student. This effort focuses on all aspects of what youth need. It wraps support and resources around them and their families to …
Continue reading “Your community coming together for youth success”
I met a brave woman the other day. Actually, I meet brave people every day. Or at least I see them: a little boy runs ahead of his mom, making a beeline for the toy area while she checks in for his appointment. A young man tries to decide if making eye contact is ok …
Continue reading “Build a strong community, one life at a time”
During the board meeting when our President and CEO Sharon Jarrett Thacker announced her pending retirement, a board member asked about our Unicorn Day celebration. Sharon let the board know that people who work in non-profits are very fond of the mythical creature. That’s why we celebrated Unicorn Day in April with such gusto. According …
Continue reading “Sharon Jarrett Thacker: Leader, Visionary, Unicorn”
Dealing with finances is a necessary, but often tricky skill at the best of times. Often people with disabilities, mental health issues, low income, people of advanced age, and those in abusive relationships are more at risk to become victims of financial abuse. Financial abuse is the illegal or improper use of one’s funds, property, …
Being around Cary-Grace Clark instantly puts anyone in a good mood. I can’t tell you exactly how she does it, but as a Youth Development Specialist with Family Service of Roanoke Valley, it has to come in handy. Cary-Grace facilitates Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®) and Positive Action to build positive life skills, relationships, and healthy …
There may be times in life when, no matter how hard we try, there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get to all of the things on our “to do” lists. People often feel like there are not enough hours in the day to complete all of the tasks that we …
Continue reading “Does understanding your emotions help with productivity?”
Sterling McLaughlin didn’t think he would love what he does when he first signed up for it 32 years ago. Sterling’s predecessor asked him to co-facilitate a group for perpetrators of intimate partner violence. At that time, Sterling had the mindset many people have: how can you work with an offender, especially when the person …
Continue reading “Mental Health Warrior: Sterling McLaughlin”
Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October is an important time to bring awareness to the fact that “Love Shouldn’t Hurt.” It’s also a time to discuss the importance of treatment options for people who use violence in their relationships–such as Batterer’s Intervention program at Family Service–the impact on children of witnessing domestic violence, teen dating …
Continue reading “Domestic Violence Awareness Month: What you need to know”
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