SENIORS, WE NEED YOUR HELP!The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has contracted with Polco to seek the public's insight on The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, also called CASOA™.
CASOA™ will inform the development of the next State Plan for Aging Services, which guides the Commonwealth's implementation of Older Americans Act programs and services and seeks to coordinate a statewide response to meet the needs of older Virginians.
DARS encourages all Virginians who are age 60 and older to respond to the online open participation version of the survey between October 13-27, 2022. Older Virginians who wish to participate in the survey should visit https://polco.us/va2022 between October 13-27, 2022. Please note the survey will open on October 13.The findings from the survey will be integrated into the department’s needs assessment. The results will enable state agencies, local governments, community-based organizations, the private sector and other community members to understand more thoroughly and predict more accurately the services and resources required to serve older Virginians and their caregivers.
For more information, or if you need assistance with survey, contact the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services at (804) 662-9310.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE HANOVER COUNCIL ON AGING?The Hanover Council on Aging is looking for representative for the Ashland, Chickahominy, Cold Harbor and Henry Districts. The council serves as a consultative and advisory body on issues pertaining to the quality of life of Hanover County citizens age 50 and over. The council plans and hosts several special programs during the year to share information on services and resources for older adults. Visit
www.hanovercounty.gov/470/Hanover-County-Council-on-Aging to learn more.
THE ARC OF HANOVER IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS! The Arc of Hanover Thrift Store is seeking individuals who would like to volunteer in our store. If you enjoy working with the community while making a difference, we'd love to hear from you!
We are seeking individuals interested in cashiering, cleaning and pricing items, replenishing shelves, and receiving donations. Our store hours are Thursday and Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. We are searching for volunteers who would like to work split shifts or the entire day, particularly Saturdays.
If you are interested in volunteering for Arc of Hanover Thrift Store we most graciously would appreciate it. Please contact us at your preferred method to start your volunteer journey with The Arc of Hanover today!
Email: [email protected]SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITYAre you looking to get involved? Here are some ideas for ways you can give back to your community, support local organizations, and get community service hours!
October Volunteer EventsFriday, October 21, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – SpookyFUN Fest at Pole Green ParkHanover County Parks and Recreation is hosting an event to kick off the Halloween season. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and take down of activity areas, distribution of candy, prizes, leading trick or treat stations, helping with line control, and other duties. For more information, visit
HandsOn Greater Richmond | SpookyFUN Fest (handsonrva.org).
Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – SpookyFUN Fest at Poor Farm ParkHanover County Parks and Recreation is hosting an event to kick off the Halloween season. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and take down of activity areas, distribution of candy, prizes, leading trick or treat stations, helping with line control, and other duties. For more information, visit
HandsOn Greater Richmond | SpookyFUN Fest (handsonrva.org).
Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 4:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. – Halloween BashHanover County Parks and Recreation is hosting a Halloween dance/party for adults with special needs. Volunteers are needed in various areas, including event set up, leading trick or treat activities, and more! For more information, visit
HandsOn Greater Richmond | Halloween Bash for Adults with Special Needs (handsonrva.org).
Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 – Ashland Halloween in Downtown AshlandDowntown Ashland Association is hosting a long weekend of events, including kids trick-or-treating on Monday, October 31 from 5-8pm. They need volunteers to help with the event! For more information, visit
https://www.ashlandvirginia.com/trickortreat and
https://volunteersignup.org/B8PDY.
Ongoing Service OpportunitiesCJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation is an organization that provides assistance to families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses. They make sandwiches to provide to these families on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit
CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation - Home (cjstuf.org) and
CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation: CJ's Sandwich Making Crew (signupgenius.com).
Hanover Christian Firewood Ministry is an organization that provides firewood to more than 35 Hanover families who rely on firewood as their primary source of heat. They split and deliver wood every Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. – Noon or 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. depending on the time of year. For more information, contact Carl Heckel at 804-559-8824.
Databases for Finding Upcoming Service Events in Your CommunityHandsOn Greater Richmond (handsonrva.org)JustServe: HomeOther Ways You Can Get InvolvedInquire about volunteer opportunities at your local nursing home!
Reach out to your local food pantry and ask if they are in need of any specific food items or volunteers!
If you are part of a local organization and would like to share your service events in an upcoming Community Resources E-Newsletter, email [email protected].
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].
2022 Hanover Christmas Mother – Letters now being accepted
Hanover households with children birth-17 (18 years old if still in high school) may apply for the Hanover Christmas Mother. Hanover citizens write a letter to: Hanover Christmas Mother at P.O. Box 39, Doswell, VA 23047 by October 31, 2022. Include the child or children’s names, ages, and dates of birth; plus, the parent(s) name(s), address, and two contact phone numbers. In order to ensure their request is honored on the scheduled distribution date of December 10, make sure the letter is received by October 31, 2022 and contact telephone numbers are provided.
Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity Critical Repair Program
Habitat envisions a world where everyone has a decent place to live - that includes a home that is accessible, dry, safe, and energy efficient. Habitat's Critical Repair program offers reduced-cost repairs which address safety issues and code violations. Habitat is actively taking applications for Hanover and King William residents. To learn more about our critical repair program, visit our website, contact Kimberly Bell or call 804-569-6108, x105.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Hanover County Department of Social Services will begin accepting applications for the Fuel Assistance Program on October 11, 2022.
Fuel Assistance is a temporary program that helps eligible households with the costs of heating their homes. The program helps with home heating costs, but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges and connection or re-connection fees. The amount that is received will not necessarily cover all of the winter heating costs but will be a supplement. Those who have been accepted for eligibility in past years are automatically registered for this year’s program.
Benefits are based on the availability of funds and the number of applications received within the State. In order to be eligible for fuel or utility assistance, your household’s income must be less than the maximum allowed for the number of people in the home, and you must be responsible for paying the heating bill.
Applications will be processed as soon as possible but must be received or postmarked no later than November 14, 2022. Funds are sent directly to the vendor beginning the first week in January. Hanover’s share of this statewide allocation is limited.
Applications for Fuel Assistance can be submitted through one of the following options:
- CommonHelp (www.commonhelp.virginia.gov)
- The Enterprise Customer Service Center (1-855-635-4370)
- A paper fuel application (found at a local agency)
You can call a Human Services Agent at 804-365-4100 to have an application mailed to you. A face-to-face interview is not required.
Crisis Assistance
Crisis assistance is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available.
Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from November 1 through March 15 for the following: one time only heat security deposit and/or heating equipment repair/purchase. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from the first workday in January through March 15 for the purchase of home heating fuel and the payment of heat utility bill. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The WAP reduces household energy use through the installation of cost-effective energy savings measures, which also improve resident health and safety. Common measures including sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and repairing heating and cooling systems. DHCD works with a network of nonprofit organizations around the state, who directly implement the program. More information is available at https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/wx.
Hanover DASH: Notice of Copay DECREASE effective October 1, 2022
Due to significant decrease in the cost of fuel affecting the Hanover County DASH specialized transportation program, effective October 1, 2022, the rider copay per trip will decrease from $8 to $6. Hanover DASH will continue to assess the situation periodically and communicate changes to our riders and the public. We strive to provide a quality transportation program and also make it as affordable as possible to our riders. 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. It 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 between Hanover County and Family Lifeline. For more information or to make a referral, contact Family Lifeline at 804-249-5414 or [email protected].
Hanover Safe PlaceOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness MonthOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. National statistics show that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Victims can experience emotional, psychological, financial and physical abuse. For those interested in seeking help or learning more about Hanover Safe Place services, call 804-612-6126 or visit our website
www.hanoversafeplace.comHanover Safe Place is offering a virtual weekly support group for adult female survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence. The group will provide a confidential space to find support, process experiences, and explore the dynamics and impact of domestic violence and Trauma. The group will be held Thursday evenings starting Thursday, October 27th. It will be held through a secure online platform, and will be available via phone, tablet, or computer. If you are interested in joining reach Jessica at 804.368.8813 or
[email protected].
Food Network MeetingThe Department of Community Resources is planning to have a Food Network meeting on
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 2 p.m. in the DSS conference room. For more information, call us at 804-365-4300 or email
[email protected].
SAVE THE DATE:
1st Annual Hanover Caregiver ExpoWhen: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Where: Hanover Arts and Activities Center located at 500 S. Center Street. Ashland, VA 23005.In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, Hanover Council on Aging and Senior Connections: The Capital Area Agency on Aging will be hosting a free educational event for caregivers. Expo will include presentations by: Social Security Administration, Senior Connections the Capital Area Agency on Aging, Hanover Department of Social Services and Alzheimer’s Association of greater Richmond. There will be 20 vendors, door prizes, giveaways, refreshments and more. EVENT IS FREE and open to the public.