On any particular day at the Jefferson School City Center, Greg Burroughs can be found checking in on “his” employees at the Jefferson School City Center. Through his company Futureworks, Burroughs helps people with developmental and intellectual disabilities find jobs or volunteer positions.
“There’s a real sense of community here. Everywhere I go people seem kind and accommodating toward the people I serve,” said Burroughs. Since 1992 Burroughs has placed well over 100 people in positions but especially likes having his workers at the Jefferson School City Center. “Work adds meaning to our lives,” he says. “Sometimes what work we do is how we identify ourselves. Whether it’s paid or volunteer, people want to work. This is a great place to work.”
Currently, Burroughs has employees and volunteers at three of the nonprofit organizations at the Jefferson School City Center. Burroughs finds positions ranging from three to thirty hours per week. In some cases, he heavily supervises the worker, and in other cases he takes a “hands off” approach. “It’s rewarding to see them learn new things,” he said.
Quilting group
Starting April 19th, The Women’s Initiative at the Jefferson School City Center will sponsor a weekly quilting group located in JABA’s Mary Williams Community room on Fridays from 10 am to 12 pm. Volunteer Karen Horridge will help participants learn to quilt or improve their skills. Projects can include baby quilts, table runners, bed covers, wall hangings and tote bags. All fabric and supplies are provided and the group is free of charge to members of the community. For more information, please contact Eboni Bugg, LCSW at 434-202-7692 or visit The Women’s Initiative online.
Natural reality
“Between Invention and Reality,” works by local artist Caesar Morton are on display at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center through June 2. Morton’s sculptures are inspired by objects found in nature. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 3 pm, and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm.
Looking for artists
Vinegar Hill Cafe is featuring the photography of Adam Mohr. Stop by and see his photographs of Charlottesville and other interesting places. If you are an artist interested in displaying your work, please contact the Cafe curator at vinegarhillcafe@jabacares.org.
Nickels for healing
Common Ground Healing Arts is the recipient of Nickels for Nonprofits at Whole Foods Market throughout the month of April. Shoppers who bring their own shopping bags when they shop can choose Common Ground as the beneficiary of the 5-cent bag credit. Through hundreds of volunteer hours donated by local healing arts practitioners, and donations such as those from shoppers at Whole Foods, Common Ground’s Community of Healers program offers people in Charlottesville a variety of free and reduced-cost wellness services.
Common Ground’s outreach practitioners partner with local service providers to reach low-income children and adults, people with limited English proficiency, the elderly, pregnant adolescents, people with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, incarcerated women, minorities, and other special populations. When possible, Common Ground identifies members of the community to train as practitioners, increasing the access of the healing arts to the community around the Jefferson School City Center.
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
