June 23, 2008
The 2008 Summer Workshop Series for teachers begins! Over 225 teachers from 11 states will be participating in this summer's workshop series. Please visit the Summer Workshop Series page for more information.

6/4/2008

Cheryl Groce-Wright (left), director of the Collegiate School Learning Bridge, receives a certificate from Susan Wilkes, Ph.D., program director of the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program. The first class included 19 members who participated in eight months of nonprofit leadership training. Emerging Nonprofit Leaders is part of Especially for Nonprofit Organizations, coordinated by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement.

Shawn McNulty (left), department manager for health outreach at the Fan Free Clinic, was one of two class speakers. “If this group is where nonprofits are heading, Richmond better watch out. We’re going to change the world,” McNulty said. At right, class speaker Katie Botha, director of corporate development at Special Olympics Virginia, said the class is “markedly better” for having participated in the program. “None of us is going to get rich and famous by leading in the nonprofit sector. But we do have a shot at becoming better people. And in my opinion, that’s a pretty good professional perk,” Botha said.

For this news story and pictures, please see the following VCU News Center link:http://www.news.vcu.edu/vcu_view/pages.aspx?nid=2527

Mike Porter
VCU Communications and Public Relations
(804) 828-7037
mrporter@vcu.edu

6/18/2008

A bus pulls up to the intersection of Cary and Linden streets and 20 children quickly step off, one by one. It’s hard for them to control their excitement as they walk down the sidewalk and enter the Mary and Frances Youth Center, where another day of Lobs & Lessons summer camp is about to begin.

Lobs & Lessons, offered by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, began as an after-school program in 2004 to reach out to disadvantaged children in the Richmond area, promoting education and life skills through mentoring, tutoring and teaching tennis.

The opening of the Mary and Frances Youth Center last September allowed Lobs & Lessons to offer its first summer camp through partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Northside YMCA and William Byrd Community House. About 100 children, ages 6 to 13, will participate in camps in June and July.

“A full-blown summer camp is a big experience for our program,” said Kathleen Bowles, Lobs & Lessons program director. “It allows us to branch out and flex our muscles in terms of what we can do for the community.”

In addition to offering tennis lessons, staff and volunteers will teach participants how to get along with others, control their emotions and practice healthy lifestyle habits. They’ll also be taught about the value of a college education and the importance of saving money.

Participants will tour VCU buildings, check out art exhibits, swim and play soccer. Volleyball coach James Finley is allowing 20 of the children to participate free in a three-day volleyball camp in July.

“We want to spend a lot of time with the kids as their friends and mentors,” Bowles said. “We’ll be watching their personal confidence, making sure they are open to new things and monitoring their behavior throughout the summer. It’s going to be a great experience for them and a rewarding experience for us.”

For this news story and pictures, please see the following VCU News Center link:
http://www.news.vcu.edu/vcu_view/pages.aspx?nid=2549

Introduction to Conversational Spanish I, II and III and Spanish for Health Care Providers I, II and III will be offered this semester for faculty and staff from the week of August 20, through the week of December 15th. To register, visit http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/training/it/ and enter the keyword "Spanish." Tuition Waivers or Tuition Assistance may be used by those who qualify. Tuition assistance programs may not be applied to the tuition for these courses if the participant is already using the maximum allowable assistance within the current semester. Participants should check with their department or office to determine eligibility.

For more information, or to be placed on the mailing list, contact Anna Jones at ajones47@vcu.edu or 828-8831.