Virginia Men's Lacrosse Team Raises Awareness for HELP Line

On Saturday, November 14, 2015, the Virginia Men's Lacrosse Team will host the 7th annual Will Barrow Memorial Flag Football Tournament. The tournament is held each year with proceeds going to Madison House's HELP Line program.

This event remembers Will Barrow, who in his fourth year served as a captain of the 2008 University of Virginia Men's Lacrosse team that advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. He was considered one of the top defensive midfielders in the country throughout his career. He appeared in 63 games during his UVa career and scored 18 goals with seven assists. Barrow also was a member of the Cavaliers' 2006 NCAA Champion team.

Max Pomper, a teammate and friend of Will, created this event in 2009 to celebrate Will's memory and raise funds for HELP Line. Donations can be made via a GoFundMe campaign created by the players.

HELP Line is a 24-hour confidential and anonymous hotline, supervised by Madison House, for members of the University community. When you call HELP Line, you'll be connected to a trained U.Va. student who will listen to you without judgement. 

The tournament will take place at the University of Virginia's Carr's Hill Field on Saturday, November 14 from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Various lacrosse teams from around the country will gather to play in friendly competition. 

The event is FREE and open to the public. Madison House and the Virginia Men's Lacrosse team encourage the local community to come out and cheer on the players during this positive and fun event!

Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Kicks Off

Are you a state employee? The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) will launch on Monday, October 5! CVC is a vehicle of giving for state employees, including staff at the University of Virginia and UVA Health System. Each year, state employees can give to the charities of their choice through the CVC. If you are a state employee, please consider supporting Madison House. With over 3,100 student volunteering weekly at 168 community sites, your donation will help build capacity for many of the region's non-profit organizations. Our CVC code is 3789.

The CVC is an annual opportunity for employees to give to charities that provide the services and programs you want to support. You can choose from nearly 1,200 charities, many of which serve the local community like Madison House! You may donate by cash, check, payroll deduction, credit card or stock gifts. You can give online by clicking here.

Why give through the CVC campaign? Here are just a few reasons:

• All charities participating in the CVC have been pre-screened to ensure that they are fiscally sound and that they perform the services stated.
• Payroll deduction allows you to budget your contribution throughout the year through regular automated giving.
• 100% of your designated contribution goes to the charity or charities stated. No administrative fees are taken by the CVC on designated contributions through workplace giving.
• Employee contributions to the CVC are entirely voluntary and all CVC activities are grounded on the principle of voluntary giving. 

To learn more about participating in the CVC as an employee at the University of Virginia or UVA Health System, visit www.virginia.edu/cvc.

Cavs in the Classroom Goes Back to School

Notebooks, yellow buses, and sharpened pencils. Those are the telltale signs that thousands of local children are back in school across Charlottesville and Albemarle — and they will have extra help from University of Virginia students thanks to Madison House.

This school year, Madison House, an organization that serves as the volunteer center for U.Va. students, has placed 182 U.Va. students in 15 local elementary schools through its Cavs in the Classroom program. Cavs in the Classroom volunteers assist preschool through sixth grade students with reading, math, spelling lessons, SOL prep, and art projects.

Summerlyn Thompson, Assistant Principal at Johnson Elementary School, says "We are so excited to welcome back our Cavs in the Classroom volunteers this semester. Our students absolutely love the opportunity to work with them, our teachers enjoy having enthusiastic volunteers assisting with our children, and, as a former Cav in the Classroom myself, I daresay that the volunteers get just as much out of it as anyone!”

Cavs in the Classroom has volunteers serving in the classrooms of 115 local teachers, but the numbers tell only part of the story.

Allie Rhea, a fourth year at the University who is the Head Program Director for Cavs in the Classroom, says, "I would not say the success of our program can adequately be measured by the number of children who can do long division or read a chapter book because of Cavs in the Classroom volunteers. Rather, the true power of the program stems from volunteers who create relationships with younger students and act as role models.”

Cavs in the Classroom volunteers learn as much from their service as the local children they are helping.

"I chose to get involved with Cavs in the Classroom because I knew that I wanted to study secondary education but still enjoyed working with the energetic elementary kids," says Sean McClure, a fourth year in both the U.Va. College of Arts and Science and the Curry School of Education. "After being with the program for just over three years now, what I have enjoyed most is forming a relationship with a teacher year after year. This is my fifth semester working with the same teacher and each semester is better."

Meanwhile, the popularity of the Cavs in the Classroom program among U.Va. students continues to grow. Rhea explains, "I have been a part of Cavs in the Classroom since my first weeks at U.Va. This program is consistently one of the biggest at Madison House and I think that speaks to the simplicity, as well as the significance, of our mission."

Rhea also remarked that the Cavs in the Classroom saw a spike in the number of new teachers requesting volunteers this year, thanks to an new online application process. "We are excited to expand our teacher network so we can reach as many students as possible," says Rhea.

Local news station WVIR NBC-29 shot a video segment about Madison House's Cavs in the Classroom program at a local elementary school recently, too. They interviewed Kajal Patel, a fourth year at the University and a Program Director for Cavs in the Classroom. "It's a great break. I feel like I'm a kid again when I'm here with [the kids]," she said. To watch the full video, click HERE.

The Cavalier Daily also wrote an article about Cavs in the Classroom. You can read it HERE. 

Be a Mentor through Big Siblings

One of the most beloved programs through Madison House is Big Siblings. Through the Big Siblings program, a U.Va. student is paired with a local child in need of a positive role model. Bigs and Littles meet once a week for a year for 2-3 hours. 

“Volunteering with the Big Siblings Program has made a hugely positive impact on my U.Va. experience," says Maria Mencini (Col '16), Program Director with Big Siblings. "Every week, I look forward to being a kid again with my Little Sib, whether we are seeing a movie, going bowling or making cupcakes.”

Popular activities include attending U.Va. sporting events, helping Littles with their homework, and visiting local tourist attractions. Big Siblings organizes several large events for all Bigs and Littles throughout the school year and there are opportunities for smaller groups to meet up as well. 

Due to the popularity of Big Siblings in the Charlottesville community, we have a wait-list of local children who are eager to be matched with a Big Sib. To meet this demand, we are extending recruitment so that even more U.Va. students will have the opportunity to register.

Questions? Email Head Program Director Caroline Vangsnes, call Madison House at (434) 977-7051, or stop by our office (located between Beta Bridge and Mad Bowl) during normal business hours.

Click HERE for more details about Big Siblings and to register.

Volunteer with Action in Reading or ACES

'Hoos, are you looking for a weekly volunteer opportunity for this semester? It's not too late! Madison House is still recruiting volunteers to serve with Action in Reading and ACES through our Youth Mentoring program.

Action in Reading is like a book club for local elementary school students led by volunteers. It's a lot of fun and really rewarding! Students come to ‘book club’ every week to read, play games, and solve puzzles with student and adult volunteers. The volunteers will get to know the students and help them develop personally and academically throughout the semester. Shifts take place every Thursday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Click HERE for more details and to register.

ACES volunteers play chess with children and teens at local schools as well as Boys and Girls Club sites. It's an exceptionally rewarding experience. Playing ACES Chess is a nonprofit program that brings chess to the Charlottesville youth. Chess club participants range in ability from true beginners to truly exceptional students waiting for a true challenge in their academic lives. 

Volunteer shifts with ACES are available throughout the week. Click HERE for more details and to register.

Volunteer with Let Me Run

Are you a University of Virginia student who likes running and helping others? Lace up those sneakers because Madison House wants you to volunteer for our Let Me Run program!

Let Me Run is part of a national initiative for boys in grades 4 through 6. Each week, volunteers train the boys in distance running and serve as a positive role model. Each practice will consist of stretching, warmup, a character activity, and a run. Experience in running is preferred, but not required. However, volunteers will be expected to run with the boys, starting from 0.5 mile runs and gradually increasing in distance and pace to approximately an 8 minute mile pace. It culminates with a 5k race in November! Practices are from 4:30pm-6:00pm Mondays and Wednesdays, although Madison House volunteers would only need to commit to volunteer with one shift per week.

Madison House's community parter for Let Me Run is the Piedmont Housing Alliance, which also operates a sister program called Girls On The Run. Piedmont Housing Alliance is an affordable housing non-profit working in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District in Central Virginia, including the city of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties. The mission of Piedmont Housing is to create housing opportunities and build community through education, lending and development.

Let Me Run boys leave the program with a sense of accomplishment, strengthened belief in themselves, and a greater appreciation for their peers. Learn more about the national program at letmerun.org.

Email letmerun@madisonhouse.org to learn more -- and hurry! Registration will close soon.

Medical Services Program Inspires Service in U.Va Students

Thanks to local news station WVIR NBC-29 for their segment about our Medical Services program yesterday.

"We want to make service a part of their lives ... so they can have that mindset of really just working to better the lives of others," said Ian Miller, one of two Head Program Directors responsible for coordinating 519 U.Va. student volunteers in the Medical Services program.

Madison House's Medical Services volunteers assist patients, their families, and hospital staff in a wide variety of roles at UVA Health System, Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Charlottesville Free Clinic. 

Watch the complete video here!

Fourth-year student & Madison House volunteer Margaret Lowe

Madison House joins the entire University of Virginia community in mourning the passing of Margaret Lowe, a fourth-year student. Margaret volunteered with Madison House's Adopt-A-Grandparent and Cavs in the Classroom programs. 

We want to echo this message from Dean Groves from earlier today:

To the University Community:

With a deep sense of grief, I am writing to confirm the death of fourth-year student Margaret Lowe from Nashville, Tenn. Margaret passed away yesterday evening at the UVa Hospital after sustaining a cerebral hemorrhage. She had been engaging in one of her favorite activities - running - at Lannigan Field on Monday evening when she collapsed. Although two UVa School of Medicine students immediately came to her aid and administered CPR, she never regained consciousness.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret's family, including her parents, Whitson and Sandra Lowe, her brothers, John and Mark, all of Nashville; her sorority sisters in Pi Beta Phi at UVa; and her many friends at UVa and beyond.

Margaret touched the lives of numerous individuals both here and elsewhere. She excelled in her studies as a Classics-Ancient Greek major and was looking ahead to medical school. She had just begun her second consecutive year as the co-chair of ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team) and had led various educational efforts aimed at reducing the risks of alcohol use among her peers. Active in several service organizations, she volunteered with Madison House and was a counselor with Camp Kesem in Charlottesville. She participated in Bike and Build in 2014 and 2015, biking this past summer from coast to coast to promote affordable housing and raise funds for its cause. She was involved with Reformed University Fellowship at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville. In addition to her membership in Pi Beta Phi, she was a leader within the Inter-Sorority Council. In the brief autobiography she wrote for Bike and Build, she described her passion for life, including her commitment to wellness and her love of sports.

A service in celebration of Margaret's life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. The address is 2200 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203.

Our community suffers when we lose a member for any reason. The loss of Margaret is difficult to accept, especially when we have come back together for a new semester. Please reach out to one another in this time of sadness. The comfort and compassion of community affirms the preciousness of life and helps bring healing over time.

Any student who wishes to speak with a counselor may call Counseling and Psychological Services at 434-243-5150 during the regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday). After hours, the number to call is 434-972-7004. Information about CAPS is available atwww.virginia.edu/studenthealth/caps.html.

Faculty and staff can find similar support through the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program by calling 434-243-2643 or by emailing the office via a form on the website at www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/pub/feap/general-information.

Sincerely,

Allen W. Groves
University Dean of Students

Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret's family and friends. Madison House volunteers, please know that our doors are open if you wish to talk with our staff. 

[Photo credit: Richard Dizon for The Cavalier Daily]

Come to the Madison House Information Fair

Volunteer recruitment for Madison House's nearly 170 community partner sites is underway for the fall semester. Madison House volunteers spoke with interested 'Hoos at the Student Activities Fair on Central Grounds earlier this week.

If you are interested in volunteering beyond Grounds this year, but want to learn more about the many options before you sign up, Madison House will host an information fair on Wednesday, September 2 at the U.Va. Amphitheatre from 11:00am-2:00pm.

Stop by to meet student leaders for our volunteer programs, ask questions, and learn how you can get involved in service this school year!

Big Siblings and BBBS Announce Partnership

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge (BBBS) and Madison House’s Big Siblings program are forming a new partnership. Student volunteers through Madison House’s Big Siblings program will benefit from training and coordination with the professional staff of BBBS. BBBS will gain valuable support from Madison House’s student leadership and volunteer recruitment network on Grounds. Most importantly, the youth of Central Virginia will benefit from the partnership’s large pool of highly-trained and supervised mentors.

Join Tim Freilich, Executive Director of Madison House, Caroline Vangsnes, a Fourth Year student and the Head Program Director of Big Siblings, and Jackie Bright, Executive Director of BBBS of the Central Blue Ridge, for the official announcement on Tuesday, September 1st at 10:00 am at Commonwealth Reserve. This event will feature a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be served.

Update:

Watch: "Partnership to Help More Area Kids" - Charlottesville Newsplex

Thank you to The Cavalier Daily for this article about the partnership:

Madison House’s Big Siblings program is kicking off a new partnership with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge.

Big Brothers Big Sisters matches local kids with mentors for a couple hours each week, and many stay engaged as pen pals through the summer.

There are typically 100 to 150 children on the waitlist at any given time.

The new partnership with Madison House aims to help more than 100 children move off the waitlist and be paired with a mentor, said Executive Director Jackie Bright.

“It just seemed to make sense as we both run very similar programs,” Bright said. “We are coming together to execute an advanced big sibling program.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters casts a wide net, Bright said, working to serve children who need help with school or are struggling with bullying or gang activity. Many of the children who participate in the program have family members who are incarcerated, are living in poverty or come from single parent households in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Madison House will continue to run Bridging the Gap, a program to mentor refugee children in Charlottesville.

The idea for collaboration came about early last spring semester, said Caroline Vangsnes, Madison House Big Siblings head director.

“[Big Brothers Big Sisters] really wanted Big Siblings to have a ton of input, and they wanted leadership at Madison House” to be involved, Vangsnes said. “They didn’t want one organization to take over the other.”

Children will be matched by the volunteers at Madison House who will be working with guidance counselors at local schools. The program will offer enhanced training and professional support for mentors.

The application process will also include an interview and a background check to ensure the program draws “really committed volunteers,” Vangsnes said.

She also said she is confident the partnership will extend beyond the current academic year.

Second Year Council presents Cavs Serve Cville

The Second Year Council presents Cavs Serve Cville, a panel discussion that will focus on the most impactful ways in which University of Virginia students can engage with and serve the surrounding Charlottesville area.

Often, community service can easily be written off with quick, simple donations of time, goods, or money. But giving back can be much more meaningful and effective when communities are engaged and relationships are formed. To further promote the ideal of effective service, Cavs Serve Cville is sponsoring a competition among service-minded charitable incorporated organizations (CIOs) at U.Va. in which the winning organization will be awarded $300 to fund their next initiative! 

Second Year Council wants to transform the way that service is viewed on Grounds by maximizing the impact of the time and effort U.Va. students dedicate to service.

Panel Featuring:
• Rachel Winters, Director of Community Engagement at Madison House
• Anne Scott, President and CEO at Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
• Trent Garrett, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville
• ...and more speakers to be announced!

Cavs Serve Cville will take place on Tuesday, September 8 from 5:00-6:30pm in Newcomb Theater. This event is FREE and open to all University students.

Non-Profit Management Internship Program

Looking for an internship for this school year? The Non-Profit Management Internship Program at Madison House is designed to give undergraduate students 'hands-on' experience in the day-to-day operations of a non-profit organization. Each intern will work closely with a professional staff member to learn the about their respective functional area. All interns are expected to participate in staff meetings and be included in the student leader group charged with developing strategic priorities for the organization.  For more detailed information, questions, or job descriptions for each position, please email Rachel Winters, Director of Community Engagement, at rwinters@madisonhouse.org.  Apply before school starts!  

Opportunities currently available on CavLink:

• Operations Intern (Job ID #: 64678)
• Programs Intern (Job ID #: 65278)
• Administrative Assistant (Job ID #: 65860) - Work at the front desk (must be work study)

Madison House Volunteers featured in Virginia Magazine

Madison House volunteers were the subject of a feature article in the summer 2015 issue of Virginia Magazine, published by the U.Va. Alumni Association. Volunteers from five of our programs were interviewed: Latino and Migrant Aid, Recreational Therapy, Big Siblings, Adopt-A-Grandparent, and Housing Improvement. 

Read the full article here.

UVA Today Interviews Madison House's Executive Director

Watch: Newsplex - UVA Today: Madison House (June 29, 2015)

From Newsplex:

Tim Freilich, the new executive director Madison House, is only four months on the job, but he is a Madison House veteran.

Freilich, who earned undergraduate degrees in Spanish and psychology, and later a law degree, at UVa, was a Madison House volunteer while a student. In 2005 he was recognized as Madison House's "Alum of the Year" for his public service work.

He jumped at the opportunity the be the directors of Madison House, because he said it gives him "a chance to direct the positive energy of 3,100 student volunteers in the community I love."

An independent bridge between the University and the community, Madison House serves as the student volunteer center, coordinating volunteers, developing leaders, building community partnerships and promoting lifelong volunteer service. Madison House organizes service programs to address the needs of the community as well as the educational and personal growth objectives of students.

Madison House currently has about 3,100 volunteers, working in about 170 different sites in the community.

"In the past year, Madison House volunteers contributed about 111,000 servicehours to the community," Freilich said.

Freilich, who was the legal director of the Legal Aid Justice Center's Immigrant Advocacy Program for 15 years, thinks both the University and the community benefit from Madison House.

"Madison House is a pivotal organization to bring the University and the broader community together," he said. "I want to create opportunities for U.Va. students and community members to learn from one another with mutual respect."

With Madison House's 50th anniversary in 2019, Freilich wants to position Madison House to continue to be a strong and vibrant program for students and the community.

Katie Bailey Finds Her Comfort Zone in Volunteering

From UVA Today:

“I feel most comfortable when I’m doing something, or giving back,” said Katie Bailey, who graduated from the University of Virginia on Sunday with a double major in urban and environmental planning and in Spanish, plus a minor in global sustainability. She also completed the McIntire Business Institute certification program.

No doubt, Bailey made herself mighty comfortable at U.Va. Shortly after arriving on Grounds, she threw herself into the Relay For Life organization, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society. U.Va.’s chapter of the national organization had raised over $1.25 million, and is one of the top 15 collegiate events in the world.

She also served as a program director for Madison House’s Cavs in the Classroom program, and was a student mentor for U.Va. Pals, a volunteer for the English as Second or Other Language program and a member of U.Va.’s Sustainability Committee. 

Not surprisingly, then, her classmates gave her their Community Service Award during Valedictory Exercises on Friday.

Madison House on the cover of the C-VILLE Weekly

Check out Madison House on the cover of the May 6th issue of the C-VILLE Weekly! Madison House was named one of “five local non-profits lifting our community” and a profile of Madison House was included in a feature article titled “Give Us A Hand: Five Local Nonprofits Worth Your Attention.” 

Here is an excerpt:

“‘Volunteering with the Big Siblings Program has made a hugely positive impact on my UVA experience,’ said UVA third-year Maria Mencini, one of Madison House’s 220 student program directors. Madison House’s Big Siblings Program pairs a UVA student with an at-risk local child, and Mencini’s been working with the same girl for two years. ‘Every week, I look forward to being a kid again with my little sib, whether we are seeing a movie, going bowling or making cupcakes at my apartment,’ she said.”

Read the full article here.

Madison House Volunteers Win Prestigious Awards

Three current Madison House volunteers have won prestigious awards recently.

Lia Cattaneo, Class of 2016 and student member of the Madison House Board of Directors

Lia Cattaneo, a Class of 2016 student who serves on Madison House’s Board of Directors, was awarded the prestigious Truman Scholarship. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was created by Congress in 1975 to select and support the next generation of public service leaders. In her interview with UVA Today, Cattaneo said, “Receiving the Truman Fellowship will emphasize my commitment to the policy aspects of climate and energy and will keep my career grounded in public service.” Click here to read more!

Shantell Bingham, Class of 2015 and Head Program Director of Bridging the Gap

Shantell Bingham, a Class of 2015 student and the Head Program Director of our Bridging the Gap program, received a $10,000 grant as part of the Dalai Lama Fellowship. Here is an excerpt from the UVA Today profile about her volunteer service:

As a first-year student, Bingham coached a local youth soccer team, where she met the girl she would formally mentor when volunteering with Madison House’s Bridging the Gap program during her second year.

“I love this program for mentoring refugee kids,” said Bingham, who directs Bridging the Gap this year. Bingham has maintained her relationship with her Tanzanian mentee, now 14. They like to take walks together, often taking photos, a common interest that she has nurtured and shared with the teen.

“Mostly, I’ve been someone she can talk to and be an emotional support for,’ Bingham said, adding that the girl’s family has had a rough time between the refugee camp and the transition to American life.

Anna Cait Wade, Class of 2015 and volunteer with Madison House's HALO program

Anna Cait Wade, a Class of 2015 student, received a $10,000 grant as part of the Davis Projects for Peace award. Anna Cait will spend her summer working with the Mariposa DR Foundation, a non-governmental organization working to end generational poverty in the Dominican Republic by empowering adolescent girls. Aside from her other remarkable accomplishments and commitments, Anna Cait still found time to volunteer with our ESOL program last semester and she volunteers with our Hoos Assisting with Life Obstacles (HALO) program this semester. Click here to read more!

CBS-19 Shines a Spotlight on Day of Service

Watch: CBS-19 - UVa Students Participate in Nationwide Volunteer Effort (April 13, 2015)

From CBS-19:

April 11 marks the Big Event, a day where students across the country volunteered their time to help non-profits in the community.

More than 300 University of Virginia students came together to give back to Central Virginia.

It all started in the morning at the Madison House where students were paired with different companies and non-profits to volunteer.

Some students were paired with with Alloy Workshop in Charlottesville to build a structure that will help bring awareness to the non-profit group Computers for Kids.

Victoria Long, a staffer at the Madison House, was glad to be a part of the program.

"Lots of local non-profits and charities have kind of a wish list of projects they can never get around to” said Long. “And they don't have the manpower for and so what the big event is all about is for UVa students to swoop in and help with the projects."

"This particular event,” said Tricia Howell, program director for Computers for Kids. “Is a wonderful opportunity to for us to partner with other organizations so alloy workshop: when would we have ever been able to get with those guys? They’ve been tremendous."

The structure will be on display along with other non-profit designs next weekend at the Tom-Tom Festival in Charlottesville.

U.Va. Parents Committee Supports Help Line

Thank you to the U.Va. Parents Fund & Committee for allocating funds for Madison House’s HELPLine program!

Because of this generous support, HELPLine volunteers will receive training from the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA). HELPLine is a 24/7 anonymous and confidential listening hotline for the University of Virginia community. The program is staffed by trained UVA students and operates during the academic year. In regards to the expectations of volunteers when they receive a call; the students serve as nonjudgmental listeners and use active listening and non-directive actions to guide callers to the most appropriate resources.

Thanks to this additional funding from the U.Va. Parents Fund & Committee, SARA training will increase the knowledge and resources that HELPLine volunteers utilize when they actively listen and empower callers on this subject.

(Image credit: U.Va. Parents Fund & Committee)

Madison House and The PB&J Fund

My name is Tim Freilich, and I’m the new Executive Director at Madison House. You probably already know that our recipe for success includes student leadership, lifelong service and community.

But let me show you how those ingredients come together at one of Madison House’s most innovative community partners, the PB&J Fund.

When I met last week with Executive Director Emily Wampler, she shared the PB&J Fund’s mission: to connect Charlottesville youth with the resources and knowledge necessary to help develop a healthy diet. She gave me a quick tour of their color-coded, kid-friendly kitchen, and soon, five Madison House volunteers arrived–just in time.

Minutes later, twenty-one super-excited pre-teens came in, washed their hands, donned aprons, and learned that they would be making Turkey Nachos with Fresh Market Salsa.

Another of Madison House’s great community partners, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, brought the kids to the kitchen.

The kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs are having a great time learning to cook healthy foods. The amazing staff members at the PB&J Fund are teaching far more kids than they could without the assistance of Madison House volunteers. And our Madison House volunteers are leading groups while both learning and teaching a basic life skill—how to make a mean (and healthy) plate of nachos!

To get the full flavor of Madison House’s impact on the community though, you need one more morsel of information. PB&J Fund’s Executive Director Emily Wampler—the one stirring this whole big steaming pot of non-profit collaboration for the benefit of kids in the community—Emily is herself a former Madison House volunteer.