Thursday, November 16, 2006

Sixth Poetry and Short Story Book Release

VSA Arts of Charlottesville Albemarle announces the release of their sixth Poetry and Short Story book, Through Our Eyes, written by individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in central Virginia. Through Our Eyes originates in the love of human experiences and imagination. The publication is a result of an ongoing poetry project sponsored by the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Departments, in collaboration with the Charlottesville/Albemarle VSA Arts. The project promotes writing, creativity skills and the therapeutic value of poetry for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.

Serving as an inspiring collection of one hundred and seventeen poems and short stories, Through Our Eyes, is written and designed by individuals who want to share their daily accomplishments, as well as struggles, taking you along on their journey. The fifty-two writers represented in Through Our Eyes represent a much broader voice . . . . . . .they speak for the 58 million Americans with disabilities, the fastest growing minority group that affects one in five households.

Some of the authors have disabilities from birth, an accident, disease, medical conditions due to aging and mental or learning disabilities. However, they all celebrate their abilities and uniqueness with us through written thoughts.

The book can be purchased for a $10.00 donation at the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Department in the City Hall Annex or by calling 434-970-3264. Anyone interested in helping to promote all forms of art for individuals with disabilities may join the Charlottesville/Albemarle VSA Arts Committee. The committee works closely with VSA Arts of Virginia, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Perf

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Volunteer Receptions at St. Joseph's Villa

St. Joseph's Villa will host special receptions on Thursday, November 16 (2-4 pm) and Friday, November 17 (10 am - noon) for people interested in becoming a volunteer. During the events, potential volunteers can take a tour of the Villa and ask questions about specific volunteer
opportunities.

The Villa is especially interested in finding people who can donate a couple of hours a week to work in the Donation Center, to teach arts classes to children in the Child Development Center and to serve as tutors for students in the Villa's Dooley School. During the Holiday season, the Villa will need several additional volunteers to process toys donated to our clients.

Please call Catherine Stanley at 521-5577 and let her know that you can attend. Thank you!

Call for Art for Harrisonburg & Rockingham County Residents

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham (formerly the Association for Retarded Citizens) is again holding a special Art Contest for individuals with mental retardation and other developmental
disabilities. The contest is open to individuals of any age with mental retardation, a developmental disability, or developmental delay who reside in either Harrisonburg or in Rockingham County.

More information and the application can be found by clicking on the link below:

http://www.hrarc.org/content/documents/Art%20Contest%2007.pdf

Asperger's Support Group at St. Joseph's Villa?

St. Joseph's Villa is considering starting a support group for families of children with Asperger's Syndrome. There will be a meeting to share information at 4:00 pm on Thursday, November 16 at Brook Road Academy on the main Villa campus (8000 Brook Road).

Participants do not have to be parents of current Villa clients; the meeting is open to all families who have a child with Asperger's Syndrome. The group will be led by Nancy Toscano, LCSW BCABA.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Nancy Toscano at
804-553-3267 or ntoscano@sjvmail.net.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Just Rewards: A Program for Caregivers

Just Rewards: A Program for Caregivers presented by the Alzheimer's Association.

Date: November 28, 2006

Time: 12:30-4:00 pm

Location: Senior Center, Inc.
1180 Pepsi Place

Charlottesville, VA 22901

Schedule

12:30- 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 - Poetry reading by Arlene Carter-Pounds
2:15 - 3:15 – Breakout Sessions (choose one)
Yoga
Creative Expression – use art to express yourself!
Poetry Writing Workshop
3:30 - 4 – Information Q & A: with representatives from community agencies

Massage will be also be available

Event is FREE but Registration is REQUIRED

Call or Email Ellen Phipps
434-973-6122
ellen.phipps@alz.org

Partners:

VSA arts of Virginia: Charlottesville
UVA School of Nursing
The Senior Center
Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.