The mission of Visions is to reduce poverty and improve lives in the Northern Neck by building the capacity of area nonprofits through increased collaboration, communication and training, by facilitating economic development initiatives, and through other initiatives that fill needed service gaps.
Organization and Structure
The implementation grant proposed to the duPont Fund was approved in May, 2011. The grant covers a three-year period and amounts to $276,182. With this generous funding from duPont, Visions planned to hire a full-time director who would oversee future work to build the capacity of existing nonprofits, to broaden community conversations around poverty, to leverage local philanthropy dollars to bring more financial resources to the area, to work with an active economic development committee, and to begin a leadership training program. Additionally, Visions would continue to support the Youth Works Program.
Articles of Incorporation were filed in May and Visions applied to and was approved by the IRS for nonprofit status in 2011.
The Executive Director, Joni Carter, was hired in August and began work in September. Joni was chosen for this important position because her wealth of experience working with strategic planning and program development and her extensive knowledge of the region.
Also in August, board members David Alberts and Marilyn Warren researched and obtained an office space for Visions. The office is at 266B North Main Street in Kilmarnock. Furniture was purchased and installed, as well as phone and Internet service. The office phone number is 804-435-1323. The Town of Kilmarnock donated a used copier.
The Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers and board members at the annual meeting in November. The slate was approved by the Advisory Board.
Class of 2012 -Torrence Harman, Thomas Gosse, Marilyn Warren, Kenneth Rioland
Class of 2013 - Lindsy Gardner, Margaret Nost, William Pennell, Paul Sciacchitano
Class of 2014 - Elizabeth Crowther, Jack Russell, Dale Bunns
An additional slot remains open.
Officers include: President, Lindsy Gardner, Vice President, Economic Development, Paul Sciacchitano, Vice President, Community Development, Kenneth Rioland, Secretary, Marilyn Warren, and Treasurer, William Pennell, Jr.
Lindsy Gardner thanked departing board members David Alberts and Jean Duggan for their service. Plans were made for the full board to meet quarterly. The Economic Development Committee and the Executive Committee meet on a monthly basis.
Programs
Economic Development
This committee expanded in 2011 from 5 or 6 members to more than 16.
- They successfully promoted a Rappahannock Community College site in Kilmarnock which opened in January 2012. With funding from Lancaster County, the Virginia Community College System, the Town of Kilmarnock, and with the cooperation and work of the Lancaster Community Investors, the Main Street end of Chesapeake Commons was converted into a comprehensive site that will offer academic classes and workforce development.
- They also developed a Northern Neck Leadership program, set to begin in March 2012, which will train area leaders and help them develop better community ties. The first class will take place at the new RCC Kilmarnock site.
- The committee, with funds from the Lancaster County Economic Development Association, began a public awareness campaign on poverty and area efforts to help people in need. This one-time newspaper insert was published in January 26, 2012. There will be follow up articles to continue to keep this issue in front of the community.
Nonprofit support and capacity building
- Resource Sharing Forums were held monthly January through May to encourage nonprofits and agencies in the area to better communicate and collaborate. These were cosponsored by Visions and Connect Rappahannock. Due to falling attendance, they were suspended while the time and format was reconsidered. They are set to resume in February 2012, renamed the Community Resource Forum.
- Visions committed to forming a partnership with Connect Rappahannock, soon to become Northern Neck Connection, to continue the work of communication and collaboration in the community among nonprofits.
- Joni Carter has begun the process of a stakeholders’ survey and has constructed an online survey. The survey will include input from community leaders , churches and nonprofit representatives. She has spoken to a number of nonprofit directors and the Lancaster Department of Social Services. This work is ongoing.
Youth Works
- In its third year, this program helps local students find and keep summer jobs and to learn about work ethics and professionalism in the process. Last summer, 62 area youth from Northumberland and Lancaster counties obtained summer jobs through Youth Works. Of that 62, 33 students were new to the program. The financing for the Lancaster and Northumberland county youth came from the duPont Fund. Of the 62 students, only 2 did not complete the program. Lindsy Gardner reported that 33 Career Readiness Certificates were awarded. The post program survey indicated in an increase in confidence level in participants over last year.
- Rusty Bragg, project coordinator, and Jason Perry, Vice President for Workforce Development, both of Rappahannock Community College, were able to find funds to expand this program to 3 more counties, raising the total participation number to about 100 students. The community college administers the program.
