Virginia is both geographically and demographically diverse. Abundant
with forests rivers lakes, and coastline, the state
is also home to more than eight million
people with varying needs and degrees of privilege.
Listed in no particular order, here are several
groups that work hard to make Old Dominion
a better place for residents and visitors.
At # 1 on the list, Postpartum Support
Virginia's mission is to help new and expectant
mothers and their families overcome anxiety depression, and
other perinatal mood disorders. This group's vision is
that all childbearing women in the region will
receive information to end the stigma associated with
these complications, and will have access to help.
The organization provides both group and one-on-one support
via telephone email, and social media, as well
as free, peer-led circles. The organizers know how
important it is to connect with others who
have experienced similar challenges, which is why an
ongoing calendar of events is constantly being updated
with programs activities, and gatherings that facilitate community
and connection.
Wild Virginia, which takes the # 2 spot,
is a non-profit organization that works to protect
and promote Virginia's wild lands and waters. The
group educates citizens landowners, and other stakeholders about
threats to the region's forests and waters through
hikes outings, and events. The staff and board
members also aim to influence legal action and
decisions on policies by mobilizing the public via
awareness and inspired action.
From hikes to kayak trips, and festivals to
book clubs, Wild Virginia hosts a wide variety
of programs for locals and visitors to experience.
Every year, the group holds a film festival
designed to inspire individuals to partake in the
activism needed to protect Virginia's natural habitats.
Up next, Northern Virginia Family Service is #
3 This group provides the essential building blocks
for financial emotional, and physical well-being, serving as
leaders and innovators for Northern Virginia communities. Its
mission is to empower individuals and families to
improve their quality of life, and to promote
community cooperation and support.
NVFS serves a diverse group of clients, most
of whom experience poverty. Every year, more than
40,000 individuals are empowered to achieve self-sufficiency using
the essential resources that this organization provides. The
services offered cover a wide range of areas,
including early childhood development, foster care adoption well-being
homelessness immigration, legal aid, workforce development, and more.
On to # 4 HousingForward Virginia is a
resource for affordable housing data and actionable insights
Advocates planners developers, and mission-aligned groups rely on
this organization to better identify needs, influence decision
makers, and ultimately increase access to affordable housing
for all. Among other actions, the organization convenes
key stakeholders and assists with the development of
equitable policies.
This group's efforts place priority on racial equity,
working to ensure that affordable housing in Virginia
is planned developed, and built with purpose to
end the cycles of poverty racism, and community
violence. The members of HousingForward believe that these
efforts spark change and create a better quality
of life for all Virginians.
Moving on, the Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater
Fulton comes in at # 5 It was
formed in 2002 with the aim of addressing
low-educational attainment and poverty in Richmond's East End
community. NRC exists to build relationships, advocate for
positive change, share resources, and develop skills to
enhance residents' lives. The group works in four
core areas education nutrition finance, and community organizing.
NRC offers an assortment of educational and creative
out-of-school programs designed to help youth achieve academic
success, express themselves artistically, and develop self-confidence. The
group also creates opportunities for individuals and families
to learn healthy lifestyle skills and eating habits
through cooking exercise, and sustainable gardening classes.
Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty ends
our review at # 6 This is a
citizen-run organization that seeks to end the death
penalty through education, community organizing, and advocacy. Underlying
its mission is the belief that corporal punishment
is ineffective discriminatory immoral, and economically costly.
Since its inception in 19 91 VADP has
been fighting the racism and brutality of the
criminal justice system, and promoting alternatives to the
death penalty. The organization holds various regional meetings
throughout the year to discuss methods to increase
awareness and encourage the community to take action.
It also maintains resources such as reports and
studies, a death penalty fact sheet, and a
list of recommended films and books.