REACH AmeriCorps Archives

March 18, 2025

Books, Activities and Community Fun at Family Literacy Night

Family Literacy Night occurred on Thursday, March 13, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Organized by IALR, Dan River Year AmeriCorps and REACH AmeriCorps, the event brought in 149 youth and their families.

Participants engaged with 37 interactive activity stations and nine resource stations, many of which were inspired by popular children’s books. A total of 82 volunteers helped make the night possible.

Activities included crafts like bracelet-making, a sack race, Lego and Play-Doh construction projects, book giveaways and more.

Stations were hosted by:

Danville Boys & Girls Club
Dan River Year AmeriCorps
REACH AmeriCorps
Book Lady
Danville Public Schools
Pittsylvania County Public Library
United Way
United Way / Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Pittsylvania County 4-H
URW Community Federal Credit Union
Ruby B. Archie Public Library
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM)
The Tooth Fairy in Disguise
Once Upon a Child

The evening included a concert by a choir of over 25 children from the Boys & Girls Club of the Danville Area.

Each student received a book from the Book Lady, totaling 149 books distributed during the event. Additional books were given away at some of the activity stations.

“We’re proud to host Family Literacy Night as part of our ongoing commitment to education and community partnership. We’re excited to bring it back next year.” – Audia Harris, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator

December 12, 2024

Wonder Community – Physical Activity Workshop: Tai Chi

Join us for an engaging 90-minute workshop filled with practical tips, lively discussions, and a fun physical activity session to wrap things up!

Presented by REACH AmeriCorps

Registration closes on January 16th at 11 PM.

Limited to 20 spots.

August 26, 2024

Dan River Year AmeriCorps Recruiting 31 Members Thanks to AmeriCorps Continuation Grant

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program is recruiting 31 part-time STEM and Literacy Tutors and Coaches for the 2024-2025 academic year who can build and introduce curriculum and activities for students. These AmeriCorps members will support upper elementary and middle school student gains in literacy, math and social-emotional learning by providing direct service in Pittsylvania County, Danville City and Martinsville City at local elementary and afterschool partner sites.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) administers the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with Serve Virginia and our local educational organizations for our 10th year of the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program to meet the needs of our local youth.” – Dana Silicki, Director, STEM, Service and Lifelong Learning, IALR

The Dan River Year AmeriCorps program is seeking In-School and Out-of-School Tutors who can provide direct and indirect support to site(s) during school and after school and for family science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. Members work with 4th- and 5th-grade students individually and/or small groups at school sites as well as upper elementary/middle school students at informal learning locations. They focus on building and introducing curriculum and activities for students, helping prepare them for middle school by improving their literacy, math, STEM and/or social-emotional skills.

Members will provide direct service to students attending Pittsylvania County Public Schools and Danville Public Schools. All members will receive tutor training prior to placement. Tutors will spend a minimum of 90 minutes a week working with each individual student and/or small groups for a minimum of 10 weeks during the school year. Additionally, members may also work with groups during the school year, aiding in their reading or math classes. Members will provide support with hands-on activities to generate interest in STEM and deepen STEM knowledge.

Service dates are September 2024-August 2025 and range from five to 30 hours weekly. Stipends range from $4,200 (300 hours) to $13,500 (900 hours). Segal Education Awards for successful service completers range from $1,565 (300 hours) to $3,697 (900 hours).

This Dan River Year AmeriCorps program is ideal for recent high school graduates or college students seeking a gap year, those entering the education field, career switchers and retirees.

Those who are interested in this meaningful service opportunity can apply in the following ways:

Apply Online

Submit a Resume via Email

Call with Questions

IALR is also hosting open interview days for both the Dan River Year AmeriCorps program and the REACH AmeriCorps program every Thursday until July 10.

IALR was awarded a $231,275 grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to fund this impactful program for its 10th year. AmeriCorps is the largest funder of national service in the country, matching organizations with individuals to address pressing challenges impacting communities.

This funding is part of a record-breaking AmeriCorps grant cycle that Serve Virginia recently announced, which will support 22 organizations across the Commonwealth in meeting the pressing needs in communities in the coming year, for a total investment of $6.7 million.

“Through its unique public-private partnership, AmeriCorps offers a critical mechanism for leveraging federal funding to meet community needs, benefiting communities across Virginia,” said Serve Virginia Director Kathy J. Spangler. As Virginia’s state service commission, Serve Virginia coordinates the annual grant cycle that awards funding.

The Dan River Year program mobilizes AmeriCorps members in a community-supported environment to build capacity in the region, strengthen community involvement and address pressing needs. AmeriCorps members focus on building the region’s STEM and literacy capacity. IALR also administers the public-health-oriented REACH AmeriCorps program, which recently received its own continuation grant from AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps State and National, a federal-state partnership with a central role for Governor-appointed State Service Commissions, develops and implements state-specific national service programs. These grants allow organizations to recruit, train and supervise AmeriCorps members who are providing services to support education, disaster services, health, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity and service to veterans and military families.

AmeriCorps State and National annually engages more than 65,000 Americans in intensive service. AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps State and National program receive a modest living allowance. At the successful completion of each service term, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Members aged 55+ when they begin service may gift their Segal Education Award to immediate family members.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, and the cities of Martinsville and Danville. IALR administers the Dan River Year AmeriCorps and REACH Public Health AmeriCorps programs.

Serve Virginia aspires to build a culture of service and volunteerism in all corners of the Commonwealth by inspiring individuals and organizations to engage, connecting them with the resources they need to make a difference and celebrating the tremendous impacts we make together. Learn more at ServeVirginia.org.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

August 5, 2024

IALR August 2024 Newsletter

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER

The August 2024 edition of IALR at a Glance is jam-packed with exciting news and updates! Learn more about…

Inside the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning
ATDM Graduate Making Waves as a Woman Welder
Virginia Named Top State for Business
Much more!

Email newsletter registration

July 11, 2024

REACH AmeriCorps Recruiting 15 Members Thanks to AmeriCorps Continuation Grant

The Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health (REACH) AmeriCorps program is recruiting 15 part-time REACH Community Health Educators to conduct community health workshops over nine months. Hosted in targeted census tracts in the Dan River Region, the workshops focus on specific health topics and address areas of high need and chronic health issues. Members will serve approximately 25 hours per week.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) administers the REACH AmeriCorps program.

“Our REACH AmeriCorps members will positively impact the health outcomes of individuals, families and the entire Dan River Region. This grant allows us to continue building pathways for public health-related careers and empowers our REACH AmeriCorps members to continue addressing community health and education needs.” – Dana Silicki, Director, STEM, Lifelong and Service Learning Programs

Members who participate in this service opportunity will receive a stipend of $11,500 and a Segal Education Award—which can be used to repay student loans or for current or future education—of $3,447.50. Members need to be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and some additional hours may be required for a total of 900 hours.

This Public Health AmeriCorps program is ideal for students seeking a gap year, those entering the health field, career switchers and retirees.

Those who are interested in this meaningful service opportunity can apply in the following ways:

Apply Online

Submit a Resume via Email

Call with Questions

Members of the REACH AmeriCorps program during the 2024 MLK Day of Service Project.

IALR was awarded a $218,678 grant from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to continue this program for a third year. The grant will fund the continued impact of the REACH AmeriCorps program, which has provided public health workshops and educational opportunities in concert with the REACH Partnership since 2022.

The REACH AmeriCorps program is dedicated to expanding the capacity for public health service by providing direct outreach and education services in the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County (North Carolina). Members offer individualized support, addressing the region’s most pressing physical and mental health challenges.

In the current year of the REACH AmeriCorps program (which will end Aug. 31), members have conducted 92 workshops across 21 locations, serving 862 participants. In the program’s two years, members have contributed 12,502 service hours.

In conjunction with the REACH AmeriCorps program, The REACH Partnership deploys Community Health Workers and Community Paramedics – referred to as coordinated care teams – to assist with an individual’s physical and mental health needs and to connect clients to community resources, addressing the myriad social determinants of health. Supported by The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region, the REACH Partnership includes the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (lead and fiscal agent), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Piedmont Access to Community Health Services, Gateway Health, Sovah Health Danville, Compassion Healthcare, the Danville Life Saving Crew, Caswell County EMS, Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services and Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The Partnership efforts are funded by a $6.3 million grant from the Danville Regional Foundation.

Public Health AmeriCorps, a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports the recruitment, training and development of a new generation of public health leaders. Supported by funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Health AmeriCorps helps meet the public health needs of local communities, while also creating pathways to public health-related careers.

Since the launch of Public Health AmeriCorps, more than 4,500 AmeriCorps members have added much-needed capacity to health departments, community-based organizations, schools, and more. They help advance more improved health outcomes and support the CDC’s highest priorities, including chronic disease prevention and public health readiness.

Members of the REACH AmeriCorps program during the 2023 9/11 Day of Service Project.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

May 9, 2024

Tour of IALR – Advanced Learning

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is a catalyst for regional economic transformation. Our Advanced Learning division works toward this mission with three main focus areas:

Expanding STEM capacity
Connecting students to careers through work-based learning
Promoting service and lifelong learning

Join us for a free group tour of the many programs supported by IALR’s Advanced Learning division to learn about our impact and see our innovative and collaborative approach.

This one-hour tour will include an overview of what IALR does before taking a closer look into some of our initiatives, including:

The Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program
Work-based learning programs, including Southern Virginia internships and internships at IALR
Summer STEM Camps at IALR
Dual-enrollment programs in partnership with Danville Community College and areas school divisions
Two separate AmeriCorps programs
Much More!

April 1, 2024

A Collaborative, Impactful Approach to Public Health: The REACH Partnership

A resident of the Dan River Region called 911 for lift assist and bed repair 14 times in one year.

The person needed support and resources, but in those moments of need, the only option the individual felt they had was to call 911.

Such situations strain the entire public health system, ranging from EMS transport agencies to hospitals and emergency rooms.

The Regional Engagement to Advance Community Health (REACH) Partnership connected that patient to food resources, home health care, wound care, medication assistance, telehealth appointments with specialists and in-home physical therapy and ultimately helped with placement in a bariatric nursing home. And that positive outcome is one of many success stories since the Partnership’s launch in 2021.

A systems approach to improve community health, the REACH Partnership brings disparate and siloed health providers together, deploying coordinated care teams to reduce avoidable emergency department and hospital use and address chronic disease and health factors. This work is executed by numerous partners and done in concert with public health education campaigns from the REACH AmeriCorps program.

“IALR is a convener and a connector. The REACH Partnership is a showcase of our goal to bring together seemingly separate or disparate organizations to drive economic transformation through healthy and vibrant communities.” – Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning, IALR

A continuation of the former Community Health Worker initiative, the REACH Partnership is supported by The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region and funded through a $6.3 million grant from the Danville Regional Foundation. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is the program administrator and lead fiscal agent.

A Systems Approach to Public Health

The goal of the REACH Partnership is to connect all the organizations focused on public health and implementing teams on the ground that know and understand the communities where they work. These organizations work together to strategically address systemic barriers to physical and mental health services for at-risk populations.

The service area for The Health Collaborative and REACH Partnership includes Caswell County, N.C., and the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, Va. This rural micropolitan region ranks low in health factors like economic stability, housing, transportation, education and access to healthcare, healthy foods and parks. As a result, poor health outcomes include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, respiratory problems and low life expectancy. The data below is from countyhealthrankings.org.

Health Factors

Danville ranks 124 out of 133 Virginia localities.
Pittsylvania ranks 103 out of 133 Virginia localities.
Caswell ranks 81 out of 100 North Carolina localities.

Health Outcomes

Danville ranks 128 out of 133 Virginia localities.
Pittsylvania ranks 95 out of 133 Virginia localities.
Caswell ranks 78 out of 100 North Carolina localities.

Factors that impact health are typically generational and socioeconomic in nature, calling for more robust solutions to improve health in a community. Organizations focused on improving community health usually operate independently of each other, duplicating resources and diluting potential impact.

To address both issues simultaneously, the goal for REACH Partners is to take a long-term, strategic approach to improving health by working together to address systemic, socioeconomic and generational health factors.

“Strategic collaboration among the organizations involved is what drives the success and impact of the REACH Partnership. Our teams make a tangible impact in the lives of our clients and will continue to drive positive health outcomes in the region.” – Dr. Cassandra Shelton-Bowman, REACH Program Manager

Dr. Cassandra Shelton-Bowman, Program Manager for the REACH Partnership, speaks with Francina Jones, REACH Program Assistant

Coordinated Care Teams

“You can only serve a community when you know what they need.”

That’s what Cindi Poteat, a Care Coordinator for the REACH Partnership says when describing the role of the coordinated care teams.

Intentionally designed to link healthcare, social services and community members, coordinated care teams include cross-agency community health workers, care coordinators and community paramedics. Community health workers and community paramedics are trusted members of the community who serve in these credentialed roles.

Currently, 20 community health workers and paramedics are in strategic locations across the service area. They are focused on increasing clients’ access to services and improving their health management through education, informal counseling, social support, outreach and advocacy. Each of these workers usually has a caseload of around 20 clients. REACH teams serve as liaisons between the community and available resources, increasing utilization to address social determinants.

The office of the REACH Partnership and REACH AmeriCorps program is located in the middle of downtown Danville at 772 Main Street.

For instance, Martina Tatum, a Certified Community Health Worker and Team Lead with Gateway Health, works with clients on crucial tasks like finding housing, applying for benefits, and navigating end-of-life care.

“When you are struggling to get food, to pay your rent and utility bills, going to the doctor is the last thing on a person’s mind. It’s all connected to health. If your basic needs are not met, you’re not going to take care of yourself.” – Martina Tatum, Community Health Worker

As a Care Coordinator and Certified Community Health Worker, Poteat has spent the last seven years serving communities in Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County, working to identify the various social determinants of health for people in the region.

“We are a liaison and advocate for our clients in the community. We are their voice.” – Cindi Poteat, Care Coordinator and Certified Community Health Worker

REACH Partners

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research	Piedmont Access to Health Services, Inc. (PATHS)	Gateway Health
Sovah Health Danville	Compassion Health Care, Inc.	Danville Life Saving Crew
Caswell County EMS	Danville Pittsylvania County Community Services	Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority

AmeriCorps Education

IALR’s Advanced Learning division also administers the REACH AmeriCorps program, which works with the REACH Partnership. Focused on expanding public health capacity, community health educators conduct public health workshops and provide individualized support, addressing the region’s most pressing physical and mental health challenges.

This REACH AmeriCorps program was launched in 2022, and AmeriCorps awarded a $230,000 grant in spring 2023 to continue the program.

REACH AmeriCorps members provide an educational workshop about public health.

In short, this collaboration means that REACH has “two sides of the house.” While the REACH Partnership focuses on connecting providers and providing a system of care, the REACH AmeriCorps program deploys community health educators to provide resources and education to community members struggling with accessing healthcare resources.

REACH AmeriCorps members lead educational workshops in churches, retirement homes, independent living facilities and even within neighborhoods. These workshops are on several different topics specific to the community’s needs, such as mental health, exercise, cancer, diabetes and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

REACH AmeriCorps in fiscal year 2023

20 Members

4,722 Service Hours

480 Clients Served

Serving approximately 25 hours a week, REACH AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance stipend, professional development, and a Segal Education Award.

If there is an identified need for immediate help, REACH AmeriCorps members will refer individuals to the REACH Partnership. From there, the Community Health Workers can refer people in need to Primary Care Physicians and provide a personalized approach to addressing the social determinants of health.

A Tangible Impact

“As we make our community healthier, we will have a stronger, more robust workforce. A high-quality, career-ready and healthy workforce is a direct contribution to economic development, the economic transformation of Southern Virginia, and the creation of a region where all can live and thrive.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

A few years after the program’s launch, the REACH Partnership is already driving impact in the Dan River Region.

2023 Outcomes and Impact

Made 9,841 Connections to Resources for 674 Clients

Reduced Emergency Room Visits for 63% of High Use Clients

Graduated 134 Clients

To recognize that impact, the REACH Partnership was recently named a 2023 Health Quality Innovator of the Year by the Health Quality Innovators. The Community Health Worker Initiative – which became the REACH Partnership – was one of the programs that helped the City of Danville win the 2020 All-America City Award,

The REACH Partnership is tangibly improving health outcomes for individuals, but the long-term goal is that these results will compound and enhance the region’s rankings for both health factors and health outcomes. Each organization involved operates under two simple premises: no one organization can solve these problems alone, and improving health outcomes is a long-term strategy.

“Not only are they changing the lives of the individuals they serve, but together, their collective impact is moving the needle on our region’s population health outcomes.” – Maggie Richardson, Regional Coordinator, The Health Collaborative of the Dan River Region

March 24, 2024

Partners Unite for Successful Family Literacy Night at IALR

In a display of community collaboration, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) hosted a successful Family Literacy Night on Pi Day, 3.14, underscoring its commitment to education and literacy.

The event was made possible through strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations dedicated to literacy advancement. Notable collaborators included Dan River Year AmeriCorps, The Literacy Lab, REACH AmeriCorps and The Joy of Reading – Jennifer Williams, who donated books for the event’s giveaway.

As a testament to the event’s impact, 150 guests participated, engaging in various literacy activities based on books. Fifty-six dedicated volunteers dressed up as book characters to run the activity stations and represented 13 community-based organizations.

More Event Photos

Among the organizations represented by volunteers were the Danville Otterbots, Danville Project Literacy, URW and Dollar, Danville-Pittsylvania County United Way, Pittsylvania County 4-H Agent and Teen Leader, Danville 4-H, Center for Early Success, Tooth Fairy in Disguise, Pittsylvania County Library, Ruby B. Library, the Reading Cohort, as well as students and advisors from the Dan River High Interact Club and the Dan River High Beta Club.

“We are honored to host such a meaningful event that underscores the power of partnerships in advancing literacy and education. Family Literacy Night embodies the spirit of our mission at IALR, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to nurture a community where everyone can thrive.” – IALR President Telly Tucker

Upcoming Events at IALR

About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, as well as the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

January 26, 2024

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