Averett University - Serve Virginia

Averett University

RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Averett University

May 3, 2023

Congratulations to Averett University of Danville – winner of the 2019 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Educational Institution! Service is woven into the fabric of Averett University. Averett’s mission is to prepare students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change. The university’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) is a primary example of their dedication to service. CCECC is an innovative program which serves as a facilitator for pairing volunteers from Averett, Danville Community College, and Piedmont Community College with local organizations such as God’s Storehouse, the Boys & Girls Club of the Dan River Region, and many others. The first program of its kind in the Commonwealth, the CCECC has built a regional framework to advance community engagement, experiential learning, and career development. From Day to Engage, a collaborative effort between schools and community partners on 13 projects, to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and many other projects, the CCECC has made a huge impact on the region. In addition to the CCECC, Averett Athletics is another wonderful example of service and outreach. The athletic program provides ongoing service opportunities to their student-athletes. The program received an Award of Merit for Community Service from the NCAA Division III for Special Olympics Fun Day activities at which 350 student-athletes volunteered. Throughout the entire university in all its many programs, in 2018 alone, more than 600 volunteers have served the local community. From energizing the student body to vote and hosting National Service programs like AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA, Averett has made community engagement a top priority. Averett University is indeed an innovator, keeping its commitment to fostering a culture of service and serving as a model for other universities to create a common expectation and opportunity for more young Americans to serve their communities and country. Read more Volunteer Stories! Submit a Story!

Lawrence Jia

Story of Service: Lawrence Jia

Congratulations to Lawrence Jia of Midlothian -- winner of the 2017 Virginia Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Youth Volunteer! When Lawrence Jia saw someone close to him experience a financial crisis and face homelessness, he was moved to make a difference. He had an idea that if you could create a resource to help individuals become better informed consumers, better investors, and wiser savers -- you could change the landscape of adolescent financial literacy. In Lawrence’s freshman year, he created “Money Matters to Students” which today has almost 100 volunteers across three continents and has reached over...

Virginia Cancer Specialists of Arlington

Story of Service: Virginia Cancer Specialists of Arlington

In Arlington, when low-income uninsured patients need cancer care, they have a wonderful option: Virginia Cancer Specialists of Arlington (VCS) -- winner of the 2016 Governor's Volunteerism Award for Outstanding Small Business. Without VCS, these patients would likely not receive the cancer treatment they need, which can often cost more than $50,000 a month. Fortunately superior care is provided because VCS believes that health care for all community members is a human right and that, as members of the community, VCS is responsible for helping anyone in need, regardless of that person’s ability to pay. VCS is an outstanding partner...

Tracy Keller

Story of Service: Tracy Keller

As an honoree on the January 2024 Serve Virginia Honor Roll, Tracy Keller has been an ambassador of girl leadership since her teen years in Girl Scouts. There, she earned the highest award, the Gold Award, for creating and carrying out an elementary educational program on prevention of tobacco use. Now, more than thirty years later and as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast since 2005, Tracy continues to facilitate conversations that empower girls and women, and helps shape programs within her community. Recently, Tracy embraced the challenge of volunteering as the lead for the Empowering Girls...

Adaptive Gymnastics at Virginia Health Sciences

Story of Service: Adaptive Gymnastics at Virginia Health Sciences

Adaptive Gymnastics provides children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the sport of gymnastics, regardless of physical or intellectual ability. Founded in 2019, the program has grown from a single volunteer and four athletes to over 65 participants, serving as a model of inclusive, evidence-based programming that blends athletics, therapy, and community support. The program is led by dedicated medical student volunteers who develop lesson plans grounded in clinical research. Beyond physical skill development, Adaptive Gymnastics fosters confidence, perseverance, and social connection, giving children—and their families—a supportive environment in which to thrive. For parents and caregivers, classes provide a...

Crystal Curtis

Story of Service: Crystal Curtis

Crystal Curtis, Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year - AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring their passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. Ms. Curtis is the Appalachian Community Action Agency’s first dedicated staff member to address the drug/opioid addiction issue which is crippling Southwest Virginia. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Crystal has been highly effective in raising community awareness about the agency’s program and expanding its reach throughout the community. She has been a constant presence at educational and drug take back events and even...

Doswell Limited Partnership

Story of Service: Doswell Limited Partnership

Congratulations to Doswell Limited Partnership of Ashland - winner of the 2021 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Small Business! Doswell Limited Partnership (DLP) recognizes the fact that residents of Hanover County can benefit in many ways from their position in the community and their access to resources. DLP, an affiliate of LS Power and owner of the Doswell natural gas power generation facility located in Ashland, employs 32 individuals and is capable of providing energy to meet the needs of more than1.2 million area homes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. DLP has made a commitment to supporting...

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.