Literacy Volunteers Gives Away 80 Books for World Book Night
On April 23, Literacy Volunteers joined over 25,000 volunteers from Kodiak to Key West in giving away half a million free books across America. Literacy Volunteers stationed their giveaway at Vinegar Hill Café at the Jefferson School and, with the help of tutors and other volunteers, distributed 80 copies of When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago.
“Many of our students are learning to read for very practical reasons—to get better jobs, help their children with homework, and understand official forms and documents. But we hope along the way our students also gain a love of reading and we’re pleased to be part of a worldwide event designed to do just that,” said Executive Director Ellen Osborne.
World Book Night (WBN) involves volunteer book lovers promoting reading by going into their communities and handing out free copies of books selected by WBN to appeal to light or non-habitual readers. WBN takes place on Shakespeare’s birthday and is in its third year in the U.S., after launching in the United Kingdom in 2011. The WBN book picks are by a wide array of award-winning and bestselling adult and YA authors, as well as classics, books in Spanish, and books in Large Print.
Martha Jefferson Accepting Unwanted Medications and Sharps Saturday
Martha Jefferson’s Outpatient Care Center at Pantops (595 Martha Jefferson Drive) will be collecting unwanted household medications and sharps (syringes) at a free drive-through event, Saturday, April 26 from 10:00am-2:00pm. Any unwanted prescription or over-the-counter medications and syringes will be accepted. No commercial organization medical waste will be accepted. For more information, call 434-654-7009.
Additionally, Martha Jefferson Starr Hill Center, located at the Jefferson School City Center, is always offering help for individuals who are overweight and seeking to become healthier. Being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, and certain types of cancer. To find out more about Martha Jefferson’s Starr Hill Center’s free health services, call 434-984-6220.
Women’s Initiative Hosts Variety of On-Site Workshops, Walk-in Hours
The Women’s Initiative hosts several workshops throughout the week to support women’s health and well-being. For example, on Thursdays from 3:00-5:00pm, a knitting group, “Knit Now – Learn How,” meets with facilitator Susan Schiffer at the Living Room (1101 E. High Street). New and experienced knitters are encouraged to join the group free of charge. Knitting help and supplies are provided.
Also offered at The Living Room on Fridays, from 12:00-1:00pm is an hour of silent meditation led by Kirsten Franke, LCSW. Participants are invited to meditate or sit in quiet meditation for the full hour or fifteen-minute intervals.
In addition to its workshops, The Women’s Initiative holds regular walk-in hours at the Jefferson School City Center on Tuesdays from 9:00am-12:00pm and at its main office (1101 E. High Street) on Wednesdays from 2:00-5:00pm. During walk-in hours, one-on-one sessions with a counselor are available free of charge for immediate, short-term assistance with eligibility screenings, self-care assessment and planning, referral services and education, as well as emotional support.
Yoga for Neck & Shoulders Workshop at Common Ground May 3
Tension and pain in the neck and shoulders can be produced by stress, computer work, and sleeping position, among other things. Even yoga practice can be a contributing factor. Suitable for all levels of experience, Common Ground‘s workshop will look at the structural alignment of the head, neck, and shoulders within the framework of yoga asana.
Cynthia Woordring, RYT, will be leading the class.Woodring has been teaching yoga since 1995 and is a 500-Hour Level Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance. Known for teaching with precision and eloquence, Cynthia has a creative and authentic teaching style and often weaves a discourse into her classes. Her practice is informed by a variety of methods including Integral, Iyengar, and Anusara styles. She offers a safe and supportive environment suitable for all levels of experience.
The workshop will be held at Common Ground on Saturday, May 3 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and the cost is $30.00.
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!
