6/17/2014 - James Parrish

About this episode:

This is the third episode in June's focus on issues and services relevant to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning population.   EqualityVA is a state-wide non-partisan advocacy organization seeking equality for those who identify as LGBTQ. As Virginia lags behind many other states in protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination, James Parrish talks about the three priorities to help Virginia move forward:  Protecting Families, Ending Discrimination and Building Safe Communities.  A major focus this past year has been marriage equality. According to their polls, the majority of Virginians believe in marriage equality.  Equality Virginia has teamed with People of Faith for Equality to ask Virginia legislators to come forward in support of marriage equality.  

Guest speaker:

James Parrish, Executive Director at Equality Virginia 

Listen to the episode here

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

EqualityVa homepage

Want more information? Email jparrish@equalityvirginia.org.

5/6/2014 - Yvonne Haynes

About this episode:

This is the first episode kicking off May's focus on Mental Health Awareness.  Yvonne Haynes talks about the needs of the community for emergency and crisis services, mental health services, addiction recovery support, and resources for those with intellectual disabilities for those without financial resources or who have access barriers. RBHA specializes in offering wrap-around services for consumers who have a variety of needs that can accompany mental health, addiction, and intellectual disorders or disabilities such as housing needs, medical care, access to affordable medications, transportation, and those who require frequent inpatient hospitalizations for psychiatric reasons.  

Guest speaker:

Yvonne Haynes, Director of the Mental Health Division of the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority.  RBHA is the community services board of the City of Richmond. 

Listen to the episode here

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

RBHA homepage

Want more information? Email haynesy@rbha.org.

03/04/14 - Anne Darby

About this episode:

This is the first episode in March's discussion about food insecurity (not knowing where your next meal comes from) and food inequity (not having the financial or geographical capability to obtain quality food). The City of Richmond's Food Policy Task Force was charged with reporting on food access issues and developing recommendations for solving the City's problem. The City of Richmond's Interim Food Policy Coordinator is Anne Darby, who was involved with the Task Force and now works on issues relating to urban planning and urban greening. She's creating a guide to zoning for urban agriculture start-ups, serving as a liaison between the City and environmental stakeholders, and identifying City land that might be signed over to a nonprofits.

Guest speaker:

Anne Darby, Senior Planner at the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission and the City of Richmond's Interim Food Policy Coordinator

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

FeedMore homepage

Tricycle Gardens homepage

Shalom Farms homepage

Renew Richmond homepage

Want more information? Email adarby@richmondregional.org.

02/25/14 - Storefront for Community Design

About this episode:
Storefront emerged in 2011 when Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille pushed to make home and business redesign accessible to residents in her district's historic neighborhoods. They now run four programs: architects and designers offer home update consulting; facilitators help communities develop a redevelopment plan at the grassroots level; community partners provide design education; and the MOB (Middle Of Broad) studio assists storefront revision with custom projects planned by VCU students.  Storefront is currently involved in ensuring community input for the City Stadium Project.

Guest speaker:

Ryan Rinn, Executive Director of Storefront

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

Storefront for Community Design homepage

Storefront for Community Design on Facebook

Inspire Indeed episode
Get Involved!

02/18/14 - Beautiful RVA

About this episode:
When NYC's renowned garden designer, Lynden Miller, visited Richmond one year ago, she met with interested Richmonders who wanted to be engaged in improving and beautifying their city through the use of green spaces. In the buzz surrounding Miller's visit, organizations connected virtually through the e-newsletter Beautiful RVA, which now involves more than 200 civic and organizational leaders. Beautiful RVA convenes approximately 50 local organizations with missions and resources relating to place-making, design, public horticulture and beautification -- including Venture Richmond, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the James River Association, and the Partnership for Smarter Growth -- to plan and execute projects. Moreover, volunteer interest in the movement has spread city-wide, and the very idea of the community-based beautification plan emphasizes that the efforts for greening will spring from community interests and be powered by community resources.

Guest speakers:

Randee Humphrey, Director of Education at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Alicia Zatcoff, Sustainability Manager for the City of Richmond

Meghan Gough, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning at VCU and the Director  of the Sustainable Communities Institute

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

Beautiful RVA at Lewis Ginter's homepage

Inspire Indeed episode

02/11/14 - Robinson Theater Community Arts Center

About this episode:

An old Richmond institution -- first a movie theater, then a pool hall and a disco club -- the Robinson Theater on Q Street in Church Hill was vacated in the 1980s. When two families purchased the building to repair it and invest in the community in 2007, they discovered its rich history as a neighborhood hub and venue. The Robinson Theater reopened as a community arts center in 2009. They host community events, forums, talent shows, movie screenings, wedding receptions and more, as well as classes in arts and fitness -- all free to neighborhood residents. It's become a keystone of this fast-rejuvenating area of Richmond. As their sixth annual fundraiser to support the Robinson Theater's efforts, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, will be held on March 8th, and upcoming service goals include nutrition educational outreach in partnership with Tricycle Gardens and Councilwoman Newbille's Wellness Initiative, among others.

Guest speaker:

Betsy Hart, Executive Director of Robinson Theater

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

Robinson Theater homepage

Robinson Theater on Facebook

Inspire Indeed episode
Get Involved!

02/04/14 - Broad Rock Branch, Richmond Public Libraries

About this episode:
Libraries have a wealth of resources, both print and electronic -- but they can also be a key social and cultural resource. Following the major renovation of the Broad Rock branch of Richmond Public Libraries, Branch Manager Cristina Ramirez has worked to increase the number of Latino-specific services provided to the diverse southside neighborhood. Broad Rock offers homework help and computer classes in both English and Spanish (and is currently developing a Spanish GED program). She's helped the library become a family-friendly community center that provides access to more than books -- for example, the Latino La Plaza Farmers' Market takes place (seasonally) effectively in the library's backyard.

Guest speaker:
Cristina Dominguez Ramirez, Broad Rock Branch Manager at Richmond Public Libraries

Resources:

Inspire Indeed on WRIR

Richmond Public Libraries

Inspire Indeed episode