FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2023
Charlottesville Humans Services Collaborates With UVA and Nonprofits to Help Local Youth
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Members from the City of Charlottesville Department of Human Services, the University of Virginia Equity Center, Region Ten, and the Charlottesville Area Network Dedicated to Youth Development (CANDYD) partnered to launch a developing website that highlights the availability of youth programming in the Charlottesville and Albemarle area. The Charlottesville Albemarle Youth Opportunity Center www.cvillealbyouth.org website aims to provide an accessible, centralized resource to match young people to programs that this community offers.
“Given the instances of community violence in our area, we listened to community members who wanted to know more about what kids can do so that they are safe, engaged, and able to reach their full potential,” Director of the City of Charlottesville Department of Human Services, Misty Graves, said. “The programs are here, but we needed to improve awareness and connections, and this is one of the ways we’re trying to do that.”
An article published by the Center for Disease Control highlights research that shows that out of school time programs provide youth with safety and supervision and some can support student academic achievement as well as may play a role in reducing health disparities. Additionally, programs that follow evidence-based practices aimed at improving personal and social skills of youths are linked with positive social behaviors. (Out of School Time | Healthy Schools | CDC) The Charlottesville Albemarle Youth Opportunity Center www.cvillealbyouth.org serves as a resource for anyone who is looking to match a young person with activities and programs that may include parents and caregivers, teachers, social workers, counselors, school staff, law enforcement, and medical professionals.
“We want to thank everyone who has contributed to the site so far, but we also want to emphasize that it is a work in progress. If anyone knows of other opportunities for our youth, please let us know,” said Dr. Sherica D. Jones-Lewis, Director of Community Research - The Equity Center at UVA.
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About the organizations:
The City of Charlottesville Department of Human Services includes all foster family and community-based services of the Community Attention Programs and various human services programs and initiatives. The Director serves as a human services policy advisor to the City Manager and works to implement the social policy initiatives of the City Council.
Equity Center The UVA Democracy Initiative Center for the Redress of Inequity through Community Engaged Scholarship (aka The Equity Center) represents a new model of community engaged scholarship, imagining the university as not just an anchor institution, but also an authentic community resource. They work across multiple sectors in the Charlottesville regional community, providing holistic support to organizations focused on affordable housing, food insecurity, youth and education, transportation, jobs, wages, and healthcare. They partner with nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and community leaders to elevate their voices in decision making efforts. Community partnerships and advocacy within the University work in tandem to create a more equitable culture.
Charlottesville Area Network Dedicated to Youth Development (CANDYD) is a network of out-of-school-time programs and providers for youth in the greater Charlottesville-Albemarle region. CANDYD's mission statement is: We are youth-serving professionals and advocates working to enhance equitable, accessible, and high-quality out-of-school experiences so that all youth ages 5 - 18 thrive.
Region Ten is where people go for help with mental health, substance use and/or developmental disabilities. Those who qualify for Medicaid, have insurance, and those with no payment source receive services designed to help them achieve their individual goals and recovery. Region Ten has more than 35 different programs to aid and support all ages from babies with developmental delays, teens who have experienced trauma, adults with a serious mental illness, and those struggling to maintain a drug-free life. Region Ten provides various outpatient, intensive outpatient, day support and residential programs with 24/7 crisis support. The agency’s mission is Working Together to Enrich Our Community One Life at a Time.
Media Contact
Misty Graves
Director of Human Services
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3334
graves@charlottesville.gov
