RHART has been selected as for a Richmond History Maker Award! This is such an honor. It was announced in Sunday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch. Thank you all who participate in and support RHART. This program provides incredible support to those in crisis. Feel free to share as you see fit!
Margaret Dabney, Joe Doetzer, the Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and ART 180 are the newest Richmond History Makers.
They’ve been chosen in the areas of educational opportunities, innovative solutions, regional collaboration, social justice and community building by the Valentine Richmond History Center. Awards will be presented at the museum at 1015 E. Clay St. on Oct. 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
An announcement of the awards described the qualifications of each recipient:
Dabney, dean emeritus of the School of Education at Virginia State University, has been creating quality educational opportunities in the Richmond region for over 50 years, most notably through her leadership in establishing two innovative local schools — Richmond Community High School and the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for Arts and Technology.
Doetzer has been improving the lives of disabled people in greater Richmond for more than 18 years by designing and installing accessibility-related home modifications with ElderHomes. His affordable, environmentally friendly and reusable modular ramp design cut construction time in half. Disabled himself, he has supervised 9,000 volunteers in the construction of 800 ramps.
The Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (RHART) is a collaborative regional medical companion program for people who have experienced domestic and sexual violence in the Greater Richmond area. Trained volunteers are available at the request of hospital staff 24 hours a day at Bon Secours Richmond hospitals and the VCU Medical Center. Formed by members of Hanover Safe Place, Safe Harbor and the YWCA of Richmond, RHART has provided services to more than 500 patients since its start in November 2009.
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities improves social justice through educational programs that stimulate discussion and action to promote understanding and respect on issues of diversity. Two local school districts have VCIC trained groups of teachers working to promote understanding and awareness. More than 140 VCIC programs annually reach about 7,500 individuals.
ART 180 promotes stronger communities through art-related programs for young people living in challenging circumstances. Partnering with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Communities in Schools and ROSMY, ART 180 has offered hands-on art instruction to more than 350 young people to help them develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, leadership and communication skills while developing their artistic ability. Tickets for the event cost $40 at (804) 649-0711 or www.richmondhistorymakers.com