Jean Schiro-Zavela - Serve Virginia

Jean Schiro-Zavela

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

Jean Schiro-Zavela

May 3, 2023

Congratulations to Jean Schiro-Zavela – winner of the 2020 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Adult Volunteer! Since 2011, Jean has dedicated 1,700 hours of volunteer time to Britepaths, a financial literacy program in Northern Virginia. Jean volunteers providing administrative support to the organization and is responsible for entering all of the data needed to implement, assess, and report on the program. In the first 11 months of 2019, Jean was instrumental in documenting and tracking the 900 individuals who attended free financial literacy education classes or who met with a financial planner. Additionally, she entered data for and tracked another 663 individuals who attended one-on-one sessions with a financial literacy mentor. Her competence, commitment, and passion has helped hundreds of Virginia families become financially self-sufficient. Read more Volunteer Stories! Submit a Story!

Maria Badillo

Story of Service: Maria Badillo

Maria Badillo's AmeriCorp Family Supported Her Throughout Her Job Search Three months prior to the end of my VISTA year, I began a job search that I hoped would last no more than those ninety days. A millennial with a newly-minted master’s degree should be able to find a solid career job, right? Nine months later, I was nearing the end of a second AmeriCorps contract, this one a fast-paced six months helping men with barriers to employment become job-ready. Ironically. I’d been scheduling regular networking appointments and filling out job applications throughout my contract with the blessing of my...

Rumana Chattopadhyay-Reid

Story of Service: Rumana Chattopadhyay-Reid

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Crystal Curtis

Story of Service: Crystal Curtis

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The Blanco Family

Story of Service: The Blanco Family

Congratulations to The Blanco Family - winner of the 2020 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer Family! Located in Fairfax Station, the Workhouse Arts Center is a vibrant and thriving visual and performing arts center which operates a multitude of programs for the community. The center relies on a strong team of dedicated volunteers to ensure their arts, education, history, and community programs run smoothly. Enter the Blanco Family! For the past 10 years, the entire family serves as an integral part of making the center a huge success in connecting the community with the arts. The...

Becky McCully

Story of Service: Becky McCully

As one of our January 2024 Serve Virginia Honor Roll honorees, Becky McCully's volunteer service in the theatre and choral programs at Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) in Ashland, Virginia, has had a profound impact on both students and the broader community. Beyond the tangible contributions to the success of productions, she has played a pivotal role in creating a vibrant and inclusive artistic environment. She has been volunteering at PHHS since 2021 but previously volunteered by mentoring theatre students when she lived in Texas. By offering her time and expertise, she has provided essential support to students, helping them...

The Grove on Patterson

Story of Service: The Grove on Patterson

The Grove on Patterson, located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a groundbreaking recovery house providing 24/7 residential support for pregnant women and new mothers struggling with substance use. This innovative initiative addresses a critical gap in care, offering a safe and supportive environment for women who might otherwise be separated from their children during treatment. The Grove is the result of a powerful collaboration among community partners, including Anderson Treatment, which provides clinical leadership, and Restoration Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing historic properties. Together, they have created a holistic model of care that integrates medical treatment, peer recovery support, social...

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