Photo from LOCAL Adventures Group Class
The 2025 Grant Recipients reflect the VCU Health Hub at 25th’s commitment to community-engaged partnerships that support the well-being of Richmond’s East End. Through seed funding, these projects address food access, financial literacy and economic devolpment, and community well-being.
Organization: CirclesRVA
Project: “Empowering Financial Freedom and Nutritional Wellbeing Through Intentional Relationships”
Summary: Circles RVA is dedicated to working closely with individuals and families to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and support systems to rise out of poverty. Through this project, we will host financial workshops as part of our regular programming and provide healthy dinners prior to these events. We have served the Richmond community since 2017 and remain committed to supporting its diverse communities, including the East End. Through our programs, we aim to instill greater confidence in our Leaders and facilitate the transfer of skills and knowledge that will support their success well beyond their time in the program.
Organization: CAHN
Project: “CAHNCares About Peer Support”
Summary: The CAHNCares About Peer Support will be a one-year pilot program for CAHN patients and Church Hill (East End) residents. Held monthly, the in-person sessions will focus on grief support, well-being, self-care, and growth, with related topics included. This pilot program, coordinated by CAHN’s Outreach and Behavioral Health Departments, aims to help participants cope with loss and encourage post-traumatic growth and learning healthy self-care practices.
Organization: Music Orchard Richmond
Project: “Music Lesson Program at Peter Paul RVA”
Summary: Music Orchard Richmond (MOR) is expanding its After-School Music Lesson Program at Peter Paul RVA in Church Hill North, which serves all East End Schools. This expansion is driven by increased interest from students and parents, aiming to reach a greater number of students in need of quality music education. As part of the expansion, MOR will introduce an honors violin program, a saxophone lesson program, and a paid Teaching Assistant internship. The expected outcomes include increased student enrollment, greater access to high-quality music education, and the potential for improved academic performance, social-emotional well-being, and mental health for students.
Organization: LOCAL Adventures
Project: “Recenter Richmond: Supporting East End Caregivers”
Summary: In partnership with the VCU Health Hub, this program will deliver trauma-informed yoga and wellness sessions to staff at up to 10 youth-serving organizations and schools in Richmond’s East End. These caregivers—teachers, social workers, nonprofit staff—often face burnout while supporting others. By prioritizing their well-being, we aim to cultivate resilience, foster connection among colleagues, and strengthen the broader community’s capacity to thrive. Sessions will be tailored to each site’s needs and offered at no cost. The program will also deepen collaboration with the Health Hub, integrating shared learning, mutual support, and relationship building across our East End care networks.
Organization: Sports Backers
Project: “Fitness Warriors: Improving Health & Community Connection in Richmond’s East End”
Summary: Sports Backers created the Fitness Warriors program in 2014 to address poor physical activity rates in low-wealth and minority communities where health disparities are the greatest. For this grant, the program will provide free fitness classes at locations in the East End and via Zoom for residents of the community. Offered weekly throughout the year, classes will be tailored for all fitness levels and taught by Fitness Warrior instructors from East End neighborhoods. Based on prior results, we expect participants to increase their weekly physical activity levels and show improvements in their health, mood, and overall quality of life.
Organization: Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI)
Project: “MAC Canvassing Day: Bringing Resources Home to MAC Families”
Summary: The Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI) Milk and Cookies (MAC) Children’s Program will host a Fall 2025 Canvassing Day to visit families of participants from eight Richmond elementary schools, including all five in the East End. This effort will strengthen relationships, deliver MAC Care Packs with essential wellness and food items, and raise awareness of AFOI’s services. By fostering in-person connections, we aim to increase program engagement, identify unmet needs, and promote holistic family well-being. Additional outcomes include improved trust and cultural understanding between families and MAC facilitators.
Organization: Peter Paul Development Center
Project: “Flip the Script on Eating”
Summary: The Peter Paul Older Adults will participate in a pilot series of nutrition food programs with our primary partner, the UGK-CF Smart Food Initiative. UGK offers cooking demonstrations and healthy food bundles with recipes for the participants. They provide education on how to cook with healthier ingredients with support from VCU Dietitians. A recent survey of the Older Adults indicates that more than three-fourths of the participants are taking medications for diabetes and/or high blood pressure. We expect to see higher confidence in the kitchen as well as participants having a better understanding of their health, that will lead to higher consumption of nutritious foods; lowering blood pressure and A1C.
Organization: Girl Scouts
Project: “Girl Scouts Traveling Wellness Day Program”
Summary: The Traveling Wellness Day will be a mobile, hands-on event brought directly to Girl Scout service units, focusing on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This focus is because we are seeing young girls struggle with mental wellness and confidence. This initiative expands our successful large-scale Wellness Day by bringing it directly to Girl Scout service units. Each event will feature interactive stations aligned with the Mental Wellness Patch Series like mindfulness exercises, self-care DIYs, emotional regulation games, and team-building challenges. Trained staff and community partners will facilitate, ensuring girls not only have fun but also build crucial social-emotional skills.
Organization: Nia Community Development Corporation
Project: “Empowering Communities for Life”
Summary: Empowering Communities for Life is a monthly feeding program serving families in Richmond’s East End. Hosted at MLK Middle School, the program provides access to fresh, healthy food while also connecting participants with essential services such as free vaccines, health screenings, and workforce development resources. By addressing food insecurity and removing barriers to care, Empowering Communities for Life supports holistic community health and empowers families to thrive.
Organization: A-Vision Community Health Services
Project: “Voices Remembered: A Legacy Living Project”
Summary: Voices Remembered: A Legacy Living Project is an intergenerational storytelling and wellness initiative by A-Vision Community Health Services. This program preserves and uplifts the life stories of seniors in Richmond’s East End while building community connection and resilience. Through guided storytelling circles and volunteer-led engagement, we create a nurturing space for seniors to be heard, honored, and celebrated. Volunteers ranging from teens to older adults will be trained to support these sessions, foster dialogue, and document legacies. With this grant, we will deepen connection, preserve cultural heritage, and create lasting emotional and social impact for seniors and their communities.
