Blue Ridge

Social Networking Event
2025-09-12 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Description: Discover the art of basketweaving and create your very own small basket to take home. Enjoy light refreshments as you connect and craft with fellow attendees. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.
Presenting Organizations: Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act through Virginia Career Works, Living Free Together, & Albemarle Housing Improvement Program
Facilitator: Tracy Haines, Home Decor Sewist, Knitting Instructor, Basketmaker
Format: In-person at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department, Prindle Conference Room (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903 – Enter through Door #3)
Pre-register: here

Emergency Preparedness Training
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:00
Description: Learn how to build an emergency kit and create an emergency plan for your family.
Facilitator: Leanne Knox, Emergency Manager, Blue Ridge Health District
Format: Hybrid at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903 – Enter through Door #3) and on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89299024654?pwd=[REDACTED] Zoom Passcode: [REDACTED]
Pre-registration: here

Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Resource Access
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
Description: Learn how to help clients access all the resources that Blue Ridge Area Food Bank offers.
Facilitator: Monica Kelley, Program Manager, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Format: Online via Zoom
Pre-registration: here

Networking Session
2025-10-27 10:30
Description: We will spend the first thirty-minutes hearing from the presenting organizations and learn how to make a referral for their services. The last thirty minutes will be spent informally connecting with each other…
Presenting Organizations: Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act through Virginia Career Works, Living Free Together, & Albemarle Housing Improvement Program
Format: In-person at the MJH Kessler Conference Room, 595 Martha Jefferson Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22911
Pre-register: here

American Heart Association CPR
2025-11-06 12:00 - 16:00
Description: CPR for anyone looking to recertify, has an expired certification, or has never been CPR certified before. Registration is limited.
Facilitator: Amy Lane, Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator, Blue Ridge Health District
Format: In-person at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Health Department, Prindle Conference Room, 1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Pre-register: here

Holiday Networking Session at Kardinal Hall
2025-12-05 16:30 - 18:00
Description:Join us as we celebrate the BRHD Outreach Network’s 2nd anniversary and the upcoming holiday season! Enjoy light appetizers and connect with fellow outreach workers from across the District. A limited selection of appetizers will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will be responsible for purchasing any beverages or additional food items.
Facilitator: Jennifer Reilly, Outreach Network Coordinator, Blue Ridge Health District
Format:In-person at Kardinal Hall (722 Preston Ave, Suite 101, Charlottesville, VA 22903)
Pre-registration: here

Ethics Part1
2026-01-20 10:00 - 23:30
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Description: Understand and navigate ethical dilemmas that outreach workers may face in their role. Ethics Part 1 & 2 will fulfill the 3-hour requirement for CHW recertification.
Facilitator: Sereta Hunter, Lead CHW Training Instructor, CHW Strength
Format: Zoom
Pre-register: here for parts 1 & 2
Note: Your name and email will be shared with CHW Strength in order to receive a calendar invite and Zoom meeting link. Space is limited.

Ethics Part 2
2026-01-27 10:00 - 23:30
Description: Understand and navigate ethical dilemmas that outreach workers may face in their role. Ethics Part 1 & 2 will fulfill the 3-hour requirement for CHW recertification.
Facilitator: Sereta Hunter, Lead CHW Training Instructor, CHW Strength
Format: Zoom
Pre-register: here for parts 1 & 2
Note: Your name and email will be shared with CHW Strength in order to receive a calendar invite and Zoom meeting link. Space is limited.

SNAP & Medicaid Changes Lunch & Learn
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
Description: Join us for a Lunch & Learn session to explore recent and upcoming changes to SNAP and Medicaid benefits. Learn how these updates may impact eligibility, coverage, and the individuals and families you serve.
Facilitator: Erin Buchanan, Benefits Program Manager – Fraud Supervisor, Albemarle Department of Social Services
Format: Online via Zoom
Pre-register: here

Managing Stress in Times of Uncertainty
2026-02-24 11:00 - 12:00
Description: Join us for a training to learn how to recognize and normalize the state of our bodies during these uncertain times. We will work to understand the importance of community connection and healing as well as practice techniques that can restore balance and support self-regulation.
Facilitator: Lo Somel, Bilingual Therapist and Access Specialist, The Women’s Initiative
Format: Online via Zoom
Pre-register: here

Practices of Cultivating Calm
2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:00
Description: Join us for a training to strengthen and diversify our self-care approaches to promote calm. We will offer interactive practices to help reduce worry and overwhelm. Through care and compassion, we can reimagine our relationship with self and with others.
Facilitator: Lo Somel, Bilingual Therapist and Access Specialist, The Women’s Initiative
Format: Online via Zoom
Pre-register: here

Situational Awareness and De-escalation Strategies
2026-04-23 10:00 - 13:00
Description: Learn to recognize and assess potential threats through heightened situational awareness and de-escalation techniques to safely manage and resolve conflicts.
Facilitator: Sgt. Eric Thomas, Community Involvement Coordinator, Charlottesville Police Department
Format: In-person at the Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903)
Pre-register: here

From Paper to Person: Mastering Résumés & Interviews
2026-05-07 11:00 - 13:00
Description: Turn your résumé into a powerful first impression and your interview into a confident conversation. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling résumé that highlights your strengths and practice interview strategies that help you stand out to employers. Whether you’re new to the workforce or looking to make a change, this session will help you present your best self—on paper and in person.
Facilitator: Brookes Sims, One-Stop Center Manager, Virginia Career Works-Charlottesville
Format: In-person at Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department (1138 Rose Hill Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903)
Pre-register: here
*Note: Bring your laptop with your resume to receive feedback.

Loaves & Fishes Open House
2026-08-28 10:00 - 12:00
Description: Loaves & Fishes will be offering an opportunity for partner organizations and anyone interested in making client referrals to tour the pantry, learn how to connect clients, and see the volunteers in action receiving food items, sorting, and preparing for distribution.
Facilitator: Jane Colony Mills, Executive Director, Loaves & Fishes & Paola Covarrubias, Community Engagement Coordinator, Loaves & Fishes
Format: In-person at Loaves and Fishes (2050 Lambs Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901)
Pre-register: here

Stress First Aid (SFA)
2026-10-07 10:00 - 12:00
Description: Stress First Aid (SFA) is a practical, evidence-informed peer-support program designed to help people recognize and respond early to stress reactions—before they turn into bigger mental-health problems. It was originally developed for the U.S. military and first responders, but it’s now used in healthcare, emergency services, social services, and workplaces.
Facilitator: Virginia Leavell, HART Specialist, Human Services Alternative Response Team (Albemarle County) & Stephen Hitchcock, Program Manager, Human Services Alternative Response Team (Albemarle County)
Format: In-person at the Albemarle County Office Building (1600 5th Street Ext., Charlottesville, VA 22902, Room A)
Pre-register: here
