Adventure is a mindset, not a destination. There's no better time than now to practice gratitude while we find new ways to adventure-in-place. Here are just a handful of the many ways to be thankful for the place we call home.
VCU Outdoor
Adventure Program
Over the past thirty-eight years, VCU's Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) has expanded from a club operation in an alley to a nationally recognized launching pad for urban adventure. In fact, OAP now offers gear rentals, team building programs, trips, a climbing wall, and over 300 programs that serve 11,000 people each year. This year, however, OAP has shifted its offerings to online programming and inspiration for those hunkered down. OAP is currently working to let our thriving outdoor community know that social distancing doesn't mean locking yourself inside and watching Netflix all day. As an example of their efforts, OAP has launched #outdoorsocialdistancingchallenge on Instagram as a way to encourage people to enjoy low-risk outdoor time and shelter-in-place adventure challenges to win prizes like camp chairs, mini stoves, and packs. And since most of us don't adventure with measuring tape, they are providing examples of what safe distancing looks like by converting six feet into outdoor gear length (pictured) so that everyone is on the same page. In addition, Karl Schmidt, Outdoor Adventure Coordinator at OAP, has a full list of recommended adventure options at home—from podcasts to videos to a virtual escape room.
Duron Chavis, an urban farmer and food justice advocate, says that now is the best time to get your hands dirty. As the creator of the Resiliency Garden Initiative, Chavis is on a mission to donate and build 24-square-foot raised beds for food-insecure area residents throughout Richmond. To make this possible, he'll deliver the garden and seedlings for you to grow your own. That's right, he's building raised beds to directly address food security issues in your backyard at zero cost. If you don't have a backyard, he'll even connect you with a community garden near you. If you'd like to support the Resiliency Garden Initiative, you can make a donation to build more raised beds (the average cost of each is $75-100 including soil, wood, and hand tools).
Known for their tenacity and resilience, our local artists and musicians continue to do what they do best from their homes: make art. While the traditional way to display and sell art has been disrupted, Richmond's creative force is forging new paths to connect with their audience. Starting next week, thirteen Virginia-based artists are joining together to launch a digital exhibit inspired by a newly released album by Erin Lunsford as part of The Damsel: A Virtual Album Collaboration. Each artist—including painters, photographers, illustrators, and sculptors—will release new works inspired by their favorite track on Lunsford's album, The Damsel, on Instagram every Wednesday and Friday. Richmonders can purchase prints from the participating artists while supporting the COVID-19 Arts and Culture Relief Fund's efforts to provide financial assistance to professional artists of all disciplines who have lost income from cancelled paid creative opportunities during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Virtual Happy Hour House Show continues through April on Facebook Live at Here Weekly and Richmond Grid with the likes of DJ Ant Boogie (pictured), a drum circle by Ram Bhagat, a 90's show by Prabir Mehta, and more.
vol. 114 / HopeHope. It’s the key to our ability to persevere, to push forward, and to rise.
VOL. 114 / HOPE
Hope. It's the key to our ability to persevere, to push forward, and to rise in the face of struggle. It's the key to our existence. Look around for glimpses of it. Here are a few examples happening right now as our neighbors create hope in this place we call home.
Artists for
Hope
In the midst of the current health emergency, Richmond artist Ed Trask is doing what he does best—using his brush to show his love for the community he has spent decades painting. Trask has gathered a list of all-star artists from the Richmond area to form "Artists For Hope" in an effort to auction pieces of art every Friday with 100% of proceeds supporting a variety of local causes. Hamilton Glass, Matt Lively, Steve Hedberg, Mickael Broth, and more are hosting auctions on their individual Instagram and Facebook pages with the highest bidder receiving an original creation each week that supports a good cause selected by the artist. Richmond Grid is partnering with Artists for Hope and is providing an ongoing list of participating artists, the cause they are supporting, and where to follow them to bid on their creations!
Here Weekly and Richmond Grid have joined forces with RVA based Naborforce to spread kindness to others through Kindnessgrams. The goal is to make it simple for anyone, anywhere to offer help to older, at-risk neighbors who are home alone as we practice social distancing. All you need to do is download a Kindnessgram from Naborforce, print it out, and place it at your neighbor's door with an offer to help. Common requests include an extra hand getting groceries or supplies, dropping off a puzzle, or even just talking on the phone so they don't feel alone during these uncertain times. "There are so many offers on social media and online of kind-hearted people offering help. But many seniors are not online—it’s those who are most isolated and need access to help," explains Paige Wilson, founder of Naborforce.
Richmond is known for many things. But, the thing that really sets us apart is our ability to roll up our selves, join forces, and create when we're forced with adversity. Home to some of the most talented and resilient makers around, Richmond's creative force has responded to the current health crisis by making personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. RVA Makers (pictured), VAunite, HandsOn Greater Richmond, and Community Foundation have come together to create a PPE Factory to provide masks, shields, and more for those on the front lines. This grassroots community response is actively gathering materials, making PPE, and distributing life saving supplies to those who need it most in our community. Other efforts by Richmonders working night and day to create PPE include Build RVA, Shockoe Atelier, and more.
vol. 113 / Connection 📬Here's to creating connection and kindness in this place we call home.
VOL. 113 / CONNECTION
Social distancingdoesn't mean limiting our connection to community. We're in this together. Be a helper. Be kind. Contribute to the common good. Let's find new and creative ways to form connections even while our current situation requires that we remain apart.
Virtual
House Show
Gather 'round and join the virtual house show every day with some of Richmond’s favorite local artists here to show us that you can’t cancel community. You can’t cancel connection. And you certainly can’t cancel the music that brings us closer to one another, despite physical distance. Hosted live on Facebook and Instagram, each musician picks a spot to play -- from their living room to their front porch to outside by a fire -- and a few of their favorite songs to share. Tune in, sing along, leave a positive comment, and show your support for local musicians with a virtual tip jar. Upcoming performances include Marcus Tenney of Butcher Brown, Kenneka Cook, Eddie Prendergast of the Mikrowaves, Paulo Franco, Høly River, Angelica Garcia, Regan Sprenkle, Richmond Symphony, and more!
A new community journaling experiment, a collaboration between the James River Park System and Richmond Grid, is ready for you to find in a hidden spot along the trail. Get outside, breath in some fresh air, and explore your park! If you can find it, look inside for the “Dear Richmond” journal to leave a note for your fellow neighbors, create a sketch, write a love letter to RVA, leave your hopes for a better future, write the words you need to hear…or simply leave your name. It’s for you to define. Some of the most recent entries in the journal read: "We all come back to the beauty of nature – it heals the soul," "Stay beautiful and wild. We who are in dark places need a place to run where the light still shines," and "Amongst all this chaos, this park system is my sanctuary."
"It sure is a weird time right now but we don’t want to let that hurt our favorite eating and drinking spots," explains Justin Bajan, co-founder of Familiar Creatures, a Richmond based ad agency that recently launched Keep Calm and Nom Nom. Justin and his team are encouraging Richmonders to visit this handy new site to buy gift cards from local RVA establishments for future use. "We created Keep Calm and Nom Nom so people can show their support. Buy a gift card today, and enjoy your meal later." Simply browse the hyperlinked logos on the site organized by neighborhood and give some love to your favorite local establishments.
Who: You and thousands of Richmonders
What: #ServingOurSeversRVA Virtual Happy Hour Fundraiser
When: Friday, March 20
Where: Literally anywhere with WiFi or cell phone service
Why: As the food industry has come to a halt, a massive group of people are left wondering how they’ll pay rent and car payments and put food on their own tables. Our servers need your support.
How: TEXT "DONATE" AND THE AMOUNT TO #804-518-8333 (ex: DONATE $5)
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