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

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...
B Johnson

Barbara Johnson

Story of Service: Barbara Johnson

In her retirement, Barbara Johnson found herself with too much time on her hands, so she turned to AARP to help her find a way to get involved with her community. They connected her with the VCU Head Start program in Richmond Public Schools, where retired seniors are trained to become teacher’s aides. She loved the opportunity to learn while supporting youth, but the program limited her to a four-year contract. When that time ended, Barbara took the advice of some of the teachers she’d been working with, who recommended she get involved in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program at Senior Connections.  ...
Clifford Yee.  Photo by:  Creative Services/ George Mason University

Clifford Yee

Story of Service: Clifford Yee

Clifford Yee is a member and former chair of the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism as well as the treasurer and former chair of the Virginia Service Foundation. He reflects, "I began serving on the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism in 2020 to deepen my commitment to civic engagement, eventually having the honor of chairing the Board from 2022-2024. One of the most rewarding aspects was working closely with staff to develop a new strategic plan, which included launching the Serve Virginia brand and the statewide Volunteer Honor Roll to better amplify volunteerism across the Commonwealth....
Martin Novak

Martin Novak

Story of Service: Martin Novak

Martin Novak was recently retired and looking for opportunities to volunteer in Northern Virginia when he discovered Volunteer Fairfax and their AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Northern Virginia program through a Google search. He applied to the program and recalls, "I was initially overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices of volunteer activities available. Ultimately, I settled on the four that I’ve gotten involved in: Farmers Market, Junior Achievement Finance Centers, providing music therapy at Insight Memory Care Centers, and Welcome Wednesdays at Volunteer Fairfax." A resident of Fairfax County for the past 32 years, Martin enjoys giving back to his community. He reflects,...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Francine Nelson

Story of Service: Francine Nelson

Senior Corps RSVP Volunteer of the Year Francine Nelson, Volunteer Prince William, Manassas Francine Nelson, a retired educator, has dedicated her time and talents teaching fourth grade students in Prince William County the skills they need to handle being at home alone at the end of the school day. The ‘Safe at Home Safe Alone” program is a partnership between Volunteer Prince William, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, American Red Cross and Prince William County Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Nelson’s participation in the program has reached more than 1,700 students, many of whom attend Title I schools. Her calm...
RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

CrossOver Health Ministry

Story of Service: CrossOver Health Ministry

Congratulations to CrossOver Health Ministry of Richmond - winner of the 2021 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Community Organization! COVID-19 has magnified the dramatic healthcare disparities existing in communities across the country. CrossOver Healthcare Ministry has not only stepped up to provide outstanding medical care, but has gone  above and beyond to be there in incredible ways. CrossOver operates two charitable healthcare clinics – one in the City of Richmond and one in Henrico County. Founded in 1983, the clinics provide healthcare to approximately 5,500 uninsured and medically underserved individuals each year. Many of CrossOver’s patients (60%)...

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