“Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” – Virginia Axline Children are whole people. They remember, interpret and learn. They create their own inner world. Children communicate about this inner world through play and play therapy allows therapists to access their inner world. Axline is …
From a young age Sarah Iler has had a passion to help others, more specifically individuals living with disabilities. Having grown up with an uncle who lives with disabilities, Iler’s passion for giving back hits close to home. After graduating college Iler went on to work for a non-profit organization based in Harrisonburg, VA. This …
Having lived with the volunteer fever for many years, being asked to serve as a board member for Family Serve of Roanoke Valley was a no brainer. Volunteerism is such an enormous part of my life, so much so I was able to turn my love of volunteering into a career. As the director of …
More hearts the size of Kaley Aragon’s are needed within this world. With a passion to help people, Kaley decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, premedical track, from Liberty University. After working as a residential sponsor, Kaley was led to the Guardianship program at Family Service of Roanoke Valley. The Guardianship program provides …
Making the decision to go to college can be tough. In my case I knew I definitely wanted to pursue higher education. I just wasn’t sure where or how. Financially I was more than ready to depend on Sallie Mae. The impending doom of graduating with thousands of dollars in student loans wasn’t my greatest fear. I …
Continue reading “Managing my mental health as a student of color”
Aneesa Foddrell, a Youth Development Specialist with Positive Action and the Teen Outreach Program®, came to Family Service of Roanoke Valley through a unique path. With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Aneesa spent nearly six years as a state correctional officer in an adult facility. You read that right. I, too, was surprised …
For MLK Day 2019, Family Service of Roanoke Valley is celebrating our year-round commitment to service. Partners in Service While the community celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday on Monday, we welcome our first AmeriCorps VISTA members on Tuesday. Check out the AmeriCorps at Goodwill MLK Day event, “Walk through History” on Monday, Jan. 21. …
Continue reading “MLK Day: Celebrating service all through the year”
You may or may not know today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. You also may not know the answer to my blog title. Yes. There is a direct link between a history of sexual abuse and human trafficking victims. The one thing shared by 84 percent of survivors is a history of childhood sexual abuse (1). …
Continue reading “Is a history of sexual abuse related to human trafficking?”
You heard the urgent call to build a stronger community, one life at a time. And boy, did you answer!! Thanks to your generous gifts, $18,378 has been raised through the Give a Chance campaign. You, our dear donors, are Mental Health Warriors!! Your support means people who are taking care of their parents or …
Often, when people make New Year’s Resolutions, they are referring to their physical fitness. It is equally important to consider our mental and emotional fitness. The idea of mental fitness refers to our ability to think, behave and feel in ways that allow us to meet our needs and work toward our goals. Just like …
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