GET INVOLVED

LOOKING FOR WAYS YOU CAN MAKE THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHT THIS YEAR?
Are you looking for ways to make the holidays brighter for others? Hanover County Department of Community Resources has a list of organizations seeking holiday assistance for those they serve. In-person volunteering needs may be limited, but this year’s “wish list” is still full of opportunities to show compassion and bring joy to others.
The Making Holidays Bright wish list provides individuals, businesses and community groups with opportunities and contact information from local agencies that are in need of community support as they serve others during the Holiday season.

Click here to access the 2022 Making Holidays Bright wish list.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE HANOVER COUNCIL ON AGING?
The Hanover Council on Aging is looking for representatives 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.

PAPPY’S PANTRY SEEKING DONATIONS OF DIAPERS AND FORMULA!
Pappy’s Pantry, located at 8492 McClellan Road, Mechanicsville, is currently seeking donations of diapers and baby formula to give to their clients. Diapers are needed in sizes ranging from newborn to size 7. Any brands of formula are accepted. For more information on pantry needs and how to donate, visit https://pappyspantryministries.org or call 804-387-4226.

SENIOR CONNECTIONS SEEKING DONATIONS FOR HOMELESSNESS CARE BAGS!
Senior Connections is partnering with the YMCA of Greater Richmond and other local organizations to collect Holiday Care Package Donations for older adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability. They are accepting donations at the 3^rd floor of the Senior Connections building, 24 East Cary Street, Richmond, until the end of November.

Donated items should be new and unopened. They are collecting the following items: hats, scarves, gloves, baby wipes, travel toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, soap, travel shampoo, socks and other hygiene and clothing items. For more information, contact Christopher Leighten at 804-343-3000.

SERVICES & PROGRAMS

 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].

Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups
The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting monthly support groups for friends and family to share valuable information, caregiving tips and concerns throughout the Alzheimer’s journey. The Alzheimer’s Association is an organization that strives to end Alzheimer’s and all other forms of dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection and maximizing quality care and support. Participants are strongly encouraged to register in advance for every meeting by calling 800-272-3900.

Virtual Hanover Meeting:

• Held the 3rd Monday of every month at 7 p.m. on Zoom
  • To join the meeting by phone, call 833-548-0282.
  • Meeting ID: 952 7207 6248
  • Passcode: 789535

In-Person Hanover Meeting:

• Held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 9:30 a.m.
  • At Hanover Adult Day Center
  • 7231 Stonewall Parkway, Mechanicsville

Crisis Assistance: Heating
Crisis assistance for heating is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available.

Applications are accepted online https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from Nov. 1-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.

EnergyShare-Heating
EnergyShare-Heating is a crisis program of last resort that helps pay energy bills for any type of heating (wood, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, electric) for those who qualify. EnergyShare is not income based, so any customer in crisis is eligible to apply. Applications for heating are accepted from Oct. 1-May 31. Customer applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility. If approved, the benefit is paid directly to the customer’s energy provider. Individuals 60 and older may be eligible for additional assistance. Military veterans and those individuals living with disabilities may qualify for an additional $500 benefit if participating in the voucher programs of the Department of Veteran Services or the Centers for Independent Living.

Free In-Home Parenting Education
Do you know a parent or parents who 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 healthy pregnancies, positive parenting skills, child development activities and knowledge about 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 Community Services Board: Mental Health First Aid Training
Hanover County Community Services Board is offering Mental Health First Aid training for people who work with adults and youth. In the training, you will learn common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges, how to interact with a person in crisis and how to connect a person with help. You will also gain expanded knowledge about trauma, substance use and self-care. For more information, contact Hanover County Community Services Board at 804-365-4222.

Mental Health First Aid Training for those who work with Adults:

• Thursday, March 9, 2023, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Virtual)
• Monday, May 22, 2023, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (In-Person)

Mental Health First Aid Training for those who work with Youth:

• Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Virtual)
• Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Virtual)
• Monday, June 5, 2023, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (In-Person)

To register for Mental Health First Aid Training, visit www.tinyurl.com/bhwmhfa.

Hanover Community Services Board: Virtual Parent Education Series
Hanover County Community Services Board and Hanover County Public Schools are partnering for a FREE virtual parent education series to take place throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. Registration links for the series are distributed monthly through the E-Connect system. For more information on the series, contact Dana Gaskin, Child and Family Specialist at Hanover Community Services, at 804-365-4238.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., they are offering a workshop titled “Mental Health Impact of Social Media and Gaming.” In this workshop, parents will discuss the mental health impact of social media and gaming on youth and learn specific strategies that will help their tween safely navigate technology. To register for this workshop, visit www.tinyurl.com/parentedu2223. 

Hanover DASH: Notice of Copay DECREASE effective Oct. 1
Due to significant decrease in the cost of fuel affecting the Hanover County DASH specialized transportation program, effective Oct. 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 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.

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 https://hkwhabitat.org/critical-repairs or contact Kimberly Bell at 804-569-6108, x105.

Thrive VA Crisis Assistance
Thrive Virginia is an organization that seeks to empower individuals and families to become self-sufficient, live with dignity and achieve optimum health. They are currently offering utility assistance with limited available funding. Individuals and families are eligible for emergency financial assistance if they have met the income guidelines for the past 30 days. The guidelines are located at https://www.thriveva.org/emergency-financial-assistance. For more information, call 804-966-8770 or email [email protected].

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). 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.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS