JABA knows how to throw a party at the Jefferson School City Center. More than 400 local volunteers along with officials from the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson, poured into the Carver Recreation Center for some well-earned praise on Wednesday. JABA supplied non-stop entertainment, door prizes, lunch, and more.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year award to Geraldine Wells for her more than 900 hours of service over the course of eleven years to seniors. Geraldine served as the manager of JABA’s Keswick Community Center which merged with the Mary Williams Community Center now housed at the Jefferson School City Center.
“I’m honored,” Geraldine said. “I’m sad that the Keswick center is no longer around, but happy that we’re over here.”
Geraldine was instrumental in developing the relationships that live on today at the Mary Williams Community Center. The connections Geraldine fostered and helped to maintain still thrive in JABA’s space at the Jefferson School City Center. These relationships remain at the heart of what JABA strives to do every day.
“Geraldine’s guidance and devotion to the JABA community has provided reassurance, comfort and a sense of community to its members,” said Marta Keane, CEO of JABA.
Strong Arms for Healing
Common Ground Healing Arts is the beneficiary of the CLAW (Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers) event Saturday, April 27, 7 pm at the Blue Moon Diner. CLAW is a group of women arm wrestling each other to raise money for women-initiated causes in our community, such as Common Ground. CLAW is committed to supporting our community and fostering the joy that comes from acts of public foolishness and arm wrestling.
The entrance fee is $5 to get in the door, including CLAWbucks for betting on your favorite lady arm wrestlers. CLAW events are theatrical with lots of big personalities. A limited number of VIP ringside seats are available for $75 each. They can purchased at Common Ground or on line, and proceeds go to ensure equal access to the healing arts at Common Ground in the Jefferson School City Center.
Me-Time for Mothers
Info-Tainer Mr. Alex-Zan will present “Take a Break… to be Around for the Breakthrough” especially for women at a Pre-Mothers’ Day event on Saturday, May 11. Sponsored by Martha Jefferson’s Starr Hill Health Center at the Jefferson School City Center, the event will be held at Carver Recreation Center between 1:30 and 5 pm. Mr. Alex-Zan is an entertainer and educator who facilitates creative and interactive presentations for a variety of audiences. A native of Charlottesville, he was one of twelve blacks to first desegregate Virginia public schools in 1958.
The event will also feature guest vocalist Barbara Edwards and the Dynamic Mime Duo, Unity in Christ. The afternoon will include information on wellness assessments, stroke awareness training, massages, Zumba, stress reduction, cooking demonstrations, and a tour of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.
Walk-in Wellness Clinic for Women
The Women’s Initiative has provided a listening ear to over 4000 women in our area since they opened their doors in 2008. Now the counselors of The Women’s Initiative are available at the Jefferson School City Center. Walk-in hours for a free, one-on-one session with a counselor are Tuesday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm or Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm. Staff are available to provide immediate, short-term assistance to those in need of self-care assessment and planning, referral services, education, or emotional support.
“We’re offering effective evidence-based mental health care to women, regardless of their financial means,” said Outreach Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Eboni Bugg. “We can help women transform challenging life situations into opportunities for personal growth.” For more information please contact Eboni at 434-202-7692.
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!
