People
ChildSavers accepting new patients for mental health services during pandemic
The local nonprofit has seen a 524% increase in telehealth sessions since the implementation of the offering in April.
Trauma-informed child therapy and child development services nonprofit ChildSavers continues to accept new mental health patients during the current health crisis. Since transitioning the majority of its mental health services to a telehealth model in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first week of April, ChildSavers has seen a 524 percent increase in virtual patient visits.
Virtual mental health sessions are held via Zoom with ChildSavers’ team of licensed professionals. The nonprofit accepts all Medicaid HMOs and most private insurance providers. ChildSavers will work with families regardless of their ability to pay. Sessions are about an hour in length once-a-week and focus on play therapy and building resiliency. Mental health therapy for Spanish-speaking children and families is also available.
“As the long-term mental health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic largely remain to be seen among children, we want families throughout the Richmond community to know we are here for them,” said Katie Francis, program manager, mental health services at ChildSavers. “Our hope is that families who might be struggling with increased anxiety and stress during what are still uncertain times will take advantage of our telehealth services.”
In the past, federal holidays and winter and summer breaks have proved to be difficult times for ChildSavers’ clinicians and therapists to continue sessions with children. As a result of the implementation of telehealth technology, the infrastructure now is in place for the nonprofit to bridge the gap in reaching clients during traditionally difficult times to do so. Since implementing virtual sessions, ChildSavers is able to provide more per week: In April 2020 the nonprofit had 225 mental health sessions, compared to 183 sessions during the same time period in 2019.
“This has been a unique experience for everyone at ChildSavers, but we look forward to utilizing much of what we’ve learned during this time to be more effective in our work moving forward,” said Robert Bolling, CEO of ChildSavers. “We will continue to adapt our telehealth services as we work to bring trauma-informed care to a subsect of Richmond children who need us during this time and in the future.”
In addition to the teletherapy options, the nonprofit continues to offer therapy sessions from its East End location while taking precautions to help ensure the health and safety of families, children, and staff.
ChildSavers’ clinicians provide treatment for children and adolescents regardless of an ability to pay. For more information and to learn more about the organization’s mental health services, visit https://childsavers.org/ or call (804) 644-9590.
Business
Richmond Flying Squirrels hosting series of job fairs ahead of 2023 season
Positions are available in food & beverage, ticketing and operations for the team’s home games from April through September.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are looking to hire part-time, game-day positions for the upcoming baseball season. The team has three upcoming job fairs for interested candidates to fill out applications and find out information about available positions.
Positions are available in food & beverage, ticketing and operations for the team’s home games from April through September. Information on the Flying Squirrels’ upcoming job fairs can be found here. The 2023 game schedule can be found here.
The job fairs will take place at The Diamond (3001 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230) on the following dates:
- Wednesday, March 8, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursday, March 30, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Available positions include:
FOOD & BEVERAGE
TICKETING
OPERATIONS
Questions regarding game-day positions with the Flying Squirrels can be directed to [email protected].
The Flying Squirrels open the 2023 on Friday, April 7 against the Reading Fightin Phils. Individual-game tickets, including tickets for Opening Night, are available now online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.
Business
United Way launches free annual tax preparation service
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg has launched itsVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that helps families work toward financial stability by providing free tax assistance through in-person tax sites as well as a new virtual tax assistance service.
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg has launched itsVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that helps families work toward financial stability by providing free tax assistance through in-person tax sites as well as a new virtual tax assistance service.
United Way’s team of IRS-certified tax preparers and volunteers will prepare income tax returns for qualifying families and individuals with incomes of $60,000 or less at 12 tax prep sites located throughout the city of Richmond and in the counties of Goochland, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover.
“Our VITA program has been supporting the community since 2002 and could not exist without our dedicated volunteers,” said Cara Cardotti, United Way’s Director of Tax Assistance Programs. “Each volunteer successfully navigates required IRS certification tests annually to work with the program.”
The VITA program offers multiple ways for customers to receive tax assistance. Options include scheduling an appointment, dropping off tax documents with a tax preparer, or visiting one of the first come, first serve tax locations. Virginia residents can also complete taxes online through United Way’s online tax assistance site, GetYourRefund.org/uwgrp.
Hours of operation for each tax site are subject to change and can be found on United Way’s website.
The Sacred Heart location in Richmond will offer assistance for customers who speak Spanish and Portuguese.
“While our program offers free tax preparation for people with incomes up to $60,000, the reality is that most community members served by the program earn far less per year, on average $25,380,” said Angela Otto, United Way’s Interim President and CEO. “Our volunteers not only provide free tax preparation services but also help many individuals and families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps to bring even more dollars into the households who need it most.”
In 2022, VITA volunteers helped file 2,256 tax returns, recover $2.9 million in tax returns, claim $847,963 in earned income tax credit refunds and save $556,000 in tax preparation fees.
A Do-It-Yourself option is also available for individuals who make up to $73,000 with free coaching from an IRS-certified volunteer to help customers successfully file tax returns. For more information on the service, individuals can contact [email protected].
To learn more about the program and tax sites, visit United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance website.
History
StoryCorps encourages Richmonders from different backgrounds to take “One Small Step”
In these challenging times, StoryCorps’ One Small Step program is working to help mend the fraying fabric of our nation–one conversation at a time.
Today, in our divisive political landscape, some nine out of ten Americans say they’re exhausted by our political divisions and looking for a way out. In these challenging times, StoryCorps’ One Small Step program is working to help mend the fraying fabric of our nation–one conversation at a time.
The One Small Step program is working intensively in three “Anchor Communities,” including Richmond, to bring strangers with different political beliefs together–not to debate politics–but to have a conversation about their lives. In the process, the hope is that they both discover their shared humanity.
To date, over 3,000 people across more than 40 U.S. states have participated. Anyone anywhere can be matched for a conversation. Click here to learn more.
In one recent conversation, Richmonders Jerome and Warren learned they had more in common than they thought, even though they’re on different sides of the political aisle.
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