CHANGE THE WORLD RVA
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Mission Statement
There are nearly 2000 homeless students in the Richmond Public School system. Yet despite the difficult odds, many of them are working hard in school and dreaming of changing their circumstances. We can help. Sometimes the students' needs are small. Sometimes they're big. But together as a community, we can make a difference. Thank you for your interest and support!
About This Cause
Change the World RVA is the only organization in Central Virginia that specifically addresses the needs of high school and college students facing homelessness and unstable housing. We serve up to 25 students at a time, and not a single one of our students has access to mental health care, despite the fact that they desperately need it. The majority, if not all, of our students suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. Most have been victims of abuse or neglect and have a family history of serious mental health issues. Our students also face challenges exacerbated by homelessness, including academic success, attaining a college degree, and finding full-time employment. We know that youth facing homelessness and unstable housing are especially vulnerable to mental health issues: substance abuse, mental health problems and outcomes that likely result from the inability to receive treatment: incarceration, domestic violence, adult homelessness, and chronic joblessness. Our program goal is to help our students succeed in high school, college, the work force, and life. Change the World RVA provides caring and comprehensive support to homeless students from Richmond public high schools. Each year, school social workers refer up to 12 unstably housed youth who would benefit from our program. Program highlights include a weekly after school program; transportation to doctor appointments, job interviews, extracurricular activities with volunteer drivers; host families; tutors; the Birthday Card Brigade; guest speakers; life skills coaching; college visits; field trips; and help with job, college, and scholarship applications. We also provide a student-run food pantry and clothing closet that are available to any homeless youth (under age 25) in Richmond. We create networks of caring adults around each youth (as opposed to the traditional one-on-one mentoring model). We have found this better addresses students’ complex needs and more closely mimics real-life support networks. Our older students become part of the younger students’ networks. Students also create a powerful peer group of students facing homelessness but who are determined to succeed in life. We also focus on service to others, in part to help our students feel empowered to make change (rather than feeling like the recipients of charity). Our students serve each other and others like them (e.g. the food pantry, clothing closet, fund raising events), as well as volunteering in the community. Unlike most programs, we stay with our students after they turn 18 and/or graduate from high school. If they attend college, we provide support during their college years as well, a time when they often need us the most. Our support includes setting up their dorm room, transportation to college, housing during breaks, and purchasing college textbooks. We have been successful in helping youth facing homelessness, and we were recognized with the Virginia Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Organization in 2016.