GET INVOLVED

Introducing the Hanover “Tools 4 Teachers” Program, a School and Community Partnership.
The program vision is to deliver supplemental items to middle teachers for use in their classrooms and with students. These supplies are free to middle teachers who submit a request and are made possible by community partnership donations. Community volunteers will deliver the supplies requested to the front office at the teacher’s school. If you are interested in supporting this effort by volunteering, donating items, being a sponsor or giving a financial gift please reach out to the Hanover Department of Community Resources by calling 804-365-4300, or emailing [email protected]


APRIL DECLARED CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
 
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Hanover Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is partnering with the Hanover Youth Service Council to plant pinwheel gardens in various locations within the county.  The pinwheel is a symbol for child abuse prevention and reflects childhood hope, health and happiness.
 
Abused and neglected children are less likely to be school-ready and more likely to exhibit behavior disorders, to become teen parents, to abuse alcohol and drugs and to enter the juvenile justice system.  Child abuse and neglect are often characterized as part of a cycle, because many people may act toward their children the way they were treated by their own parents.  Breaking this cycle with education and resources for parents can prevent child abuse. 
 
Citizens are encouraged to get involved by raising awareness for Wear Blue Day on April 1^st. Take a picture of yourself wearing blue and send to [email protected]  The pictures will be posted on Hanover County’s Facebook page to show the community’s support in preventing child abuse. 
 
For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Month or becoming a CASA volunteer, please call the Hanover CASA Program at 365-4296.


DEA Prescription Drug Take Back on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10 am to 2 pm.  Two collection sites in Hanover County.  Ashland Police Department and the Verdi Lane Convenience Center in Mechanicsville.
 
Teens Care Too is recruiting for new members and the application is live on our website! Here is the link for folks to apply: https://www.hanover-cares.org/tc2recruitment.

Commonwealth Council on Aging 2022 Best Practices Awards
The Commonwealth Council on Aging, Best Practices Awards Committee is excited to announce the 2022 Best Practices Awards Winners. Attached is a press release announcing the winning and honorable mention programs as well as a summary of the programs. You can also find more about the Best Practices Awards here: https://vda.virginia.gov/boardsandcouncils.htm. Planning is underway for possible in-person recognition ceremonies in May as well as a to-be-scheduled webinar. 

SERVICES & PROGRAMS

Please remember, our team at Hanover Community Resources is here to assist you or your clients in finding available resources. We are here 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday.  You can call us at 804-365-4300 or email [email protected]

Due to significant increases in the cost of fuel affecting the Hanover County DASH specialized transportation program, effective April 1, 2022, the rider copay per trip will increase from $6 to $8.  Hanover DASH will continue to assess the situation periodically and communicate changes to our riders and the public.  We appreciate your understanding as we strive to provide a quality transportation program and also make it as affordable as possible to our riders.  You may recall that Hanover DASH waived the copay during the pandemic.  We continue to strive to keep rider costs low while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program.  If you have any questions, please contact Hanover DASH at 804-365-3274 or visit www.HanoverDASH.org

Free In-Home Parenting Education  
Do you know a parent or parents that could use additional parenting education and support?  In-home parent education and support is available to pregnant women or mothers with children up to 5 years old who live in Hanover County.  This service is provided in the family’s own home at no cost to parents and is designed to offer education related to promoting a healthy pregnancy, positive parenting skills, child development activities and knowledge of child developmental stages.  The program also assists families to connect with various community resources in order to address the needs of parents and children during the stages of early childhood.  The program is a partnership of Hanover County and Family Lifeline. 

For more information or to make a referral contact Family Lifeline at 804-249-5414 or [email protected]

Tax Assistance

HumanKind
Do-It-Yourself Remote Coaching Assistance via Microsoft Teams. Receive free support from IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers to answer your questions about basic tax law and the software.
Dates Open: February 17 – April 14
When: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Additional Information: Call (804) 461-3585 to register.
 
Mechanicsville Tax-Aide Assistance: 
The Mechanicsville AARP Tax Aide site opened on February 2, 2022 in the Mechanicsville Library located at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place.  Tax-Adie offers free tax preparation and filing to older or low income taxpayers.  Many individuals miss out on credits and deductions they’ve earned because they can’t afford to pay for professional tax preparation: Tax- Adie can help!  The Mechanicsville site will be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am until 2 pm.  Tax returns will be prepared by appointment which can be made by phone at 804-537-0662.   

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
You can find the most up to date information about the tax assistance services offered in the community on the United Way website: https://www.yourunitedway.org/tax/sites/ .  


Virginia Mortgage Relief Info:
Effective March 17, 2022, the maximum amount of assistance to eligible Virginia homeowners is $40,000 with no cap on the number of months past due. Homeowners experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 after January 21, 2020, with a delinquency amount of $40,000 or less may now be eligible for assistance. Applicants who were previously deemed ineligible due to the original program cap policy should contact a program representative at 833-OUR-VMRP (833-687-8677), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to begin the appeal process.  For more information click here

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Hanover Human Services Network Meeting

Faith-based organization, civic clubs and human service agencies and programs are invited to join us for our next quarterly Human Services Network Meeting to be held on Thursday, April 7 at 3:00 to 5:00pm. 

This is your opportunity to update fellow service providers regarding current program operations and needs.  Each participate will have an opportunity to share their program updates.

Please register HERE by Monday, April 4th. A Webex invitation will be sent after the registrations closed.

Food Network Meeting

We are planning to have a Food Network meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 2pm in the DSS conference room. For more information, call us at 804-365-4300 or email [email protected]