Hogs and Kisses is a micro-sanctuary that opened its barn doors in Charlottesville in 2021. This year, Madison House is partnering with the farm to give UVA students an opportunity to volunteer with the seven pigs, five rabbits, and two turkeys! Click to learn more about Hogs & Kisses and the volunteer experience.
Madison House’s Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CASH) program works to train and coordinate student-volunteers to provide free tax preparation for low- and moderate-income community members…This year marks 15 years since the launch of the C’ville Tax Aid Coalition — a partnership including Madison House and the University of Virginia Community Credit Union that is coordinated by the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. Since its inception in 2007, the Coalition has generated over $35 million in direct economic impact for the Charlottesville area community.
As a first year at the University of Virginia (UVA), Chelsea Li (CLAS ‘20) wanted to soak up all the opportunities that the University had to offer. She found herself exploring new clubs and classes and was especially eager to be in the community. “In high school,” she said, “I felt as if I was missing a lot of the learning that happens outside the classroom.” This desire to stretch her curiosity across disciplines and interests, along with an intrinsic desire to uplift those around her, was what first brought Chelsea to Madison House.
The House has long been a place where students can come to find or rediscover themselves and their place within the community. This held true for Paige, who shared that “it gives me peace of mind knowing that I am a good swimmer but that's not what defines me. There's so much more to life, like helping others. My time at Madison House has allowed me to see that.”
Kruse, from Ridgeland, Mississippi, is a fourth-year student in the McIntire School of Commerce. She initially got involved in the program because of her prior experience in advocacy work.
“Ultimately, the goal of the program is for students to learn about environmental science through a native lens,” Kruse said. “Maelee Hearington, another UVA student, and I wrote the curriculum to focus on science, social activism and social justice. We also provide additional resources like workbooks, markers, easels and notebooks.”
With Halloween in the rear view mirror, the Holiday Sharing program at Madison House is in full swing. Michelle Tran, Head Program Director for Holiday Sharing, sat down with NBC29 on Monday, November 4, during the 4pm newscast to talk about the program and what it has meant to her during her time at UVA.
The Holiday Sharing Program (HOLS) is one of Madison House’s oldest student-led programs and has long provided Charlottesville families with food and personalized gifts for the holidays, creating a remarkable impact and providing invaluable support to families in the Charlottesville area. This year HOLS partnered with the Hope House Program to serve unhoused parents with minor children in their physical custody. Under the leadership and dedication of Student Head Program Directors Alie Gibson and Carol Cho, enough money was raised to serve 53 families. Read more about this growing program.
As the holiday season draws near, a dedicated team of student volunteers is working to make the festivities even more special for families living in Charlottesville. Holiday Sharing, a volunteer program at Madison House, ensures that everyone gets to participate in the festive atmosphere. As a program director, Riley Sweet organizes volunteer shifts once a week to prepare for the final day of distributing gifts. Read more about the joy she feels in helping share holiday cheer to local families in need.
Launched as part of a new partnership between Batten and Madison House, an independent volunteer center for students at the University of Virginia, the drive complements Holiday Sharing, a program that numbers among Madison House’s oldest and has long provided Charlottesville families with food and personalized gifts for the holidays. Due to the pandemic, a community partner that had been assisting with food for the families was unable to do so this year, so the Batten community stepped in to fully fund and shop for food for all 120 families participating in the Holiday Sharing program.
Madison House's annual Holiday Sharing program kicked off with "Falliday Sharing," a festive "tailgate" on The Lawn. Each year, with the help of students leaders, volunteers, organizations and individuals from across the community, Holiday Sharing partners with the Salvation Army of Charlottesville to provide holiday gifts and three full meals for over 100 low-income families.
Now, Holiday Sharing needs your help! Sign up to sponsor a family in need.
"Sponsoring a family with Holiday Sharing provides the opportunity to make a huge impact on the lives of people in our very own Charlottesville community," says Head Program Director Emily Brown. "Many recipients have expressed that without Holiday Sharing, celebrating the holidays in their household just wouldn't be possible."
The deadline to sign up to sponsor a family is November 18. On December 3, or "Distribution Day," volunteers will be able to give their donations directly to the gift recipients in a special celebration of giving and the holiday spirit.
For more information, please email holidaysharing@madisonhouse.org, or read an overview of our Holiday Sharing program.
