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). …
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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 …
Everyone experiences stress, especially at this time of year. With the holidays moving quickly behind us, oftentimes leaving debt and sometimes disappointment in its wake. And the new year ahead of us, with hope and promise but also fear of change and concern about the unknown. Sometimes stress can be motivating and positive, like taking …
Our community’s youth are strong, passionate and compassionate. Family Service of Roanoke Valley provides life skills education to students of all ages. We meet them where they are–in school, after school and community center sites. Partnerships include those in our collaborative Strengthening Youth Opportunities for Success initiative, as well as others across Roanoke City. Positive …
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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 …
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“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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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