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 …
In his State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday January 11, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe expanded on the increased spending on mental health he first proposed in his budget last year. When he proposed his amendments to the 2016-2018 budget in December, Governor McAuliffe included a $31.7 million dollar expansion on state spending on mental …
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In 2016, Family Service of Roanoke Valley reached its 115 year anniversary of providing service to our community. Our annual report details our achievements this year. These achievements are only made possibly by generous donations from our community members, so thank you to everyone who donated their time or money this past year. In 2015-16, Family …
Each year, Family Service of Roanoke Valley celebrates the holidays with a festive gathering. We recognize staff members for years of service and have a special recognition for those who go above and beyond the call of duty. We share in food and fellowship and have a good time together! We give gratitude to one …
This is a good thing to keep in mind this holiday season! Our families may have lots of expectations they place on us, and coming home for the holidays can be stressful for everyone. Remember that the most important person you have to please with the decisions you make is yourself. Your family means well, …
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