January 2024 News

Project LIFE (Living Independently, Focusing on Empowerment) helps youth in Virginia succeed when they age out of foster care. We do that by helping youth directly and by supporting the professionals who work with them. Our free services are available to any youth ages 14-23 who has experienced the foster care system, as well as any DSS or private provider in Virginia.

Text PLIFE to 833.640.1244 to sign up to get PL news.

Upcoming Statewide Events

Youth Service Trainings
Date: January 9 & 23, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
Date: January 12 & 26, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  

For Professionals, via Zoom 
All DSS agencies are invited to attend this youth services training provided by VDSS Youth Services Team and Project LIFE to discuss independent living services and needs for youth transitioning out of foster care. This training will cover all topics related to services provided for IL youth transitioning into adulthood. Contact George through email at gmack@umfs.org or at 804.239.1044 if you need more information.   

Lunch & Learn Training with VDSS & Casey Family Program 
February 9, 2024 from 12:00pm-1:00 pm
Immigration Basics (Key terms and players)

March 8, 2024 from 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Immigration 2.0
Immigration and Undocumented Children and Youth in Foster Care 

For Professionals, via Zoom
All DSS agencies are invited to attend this youth services training provided by VDSS Youth Services Team and the Casey Family Program to discuss services for immigration and undocumented youth in care. Contact George through email at gmack@umfs.org or at 804.239.1044 if you need more information.

Upcoming Regional and Hybrid Events

Eastern Region’s Mommy Chat Support Group 
January 25, 2024 , time TBD 
For Youth in-person, Hampton DSS
 
Project LIFE youth in the state of motherhood are invited to come out and spend time with other Moms or Moms-to-Be. Moms will learn the importance of self-care along with some simple self-care methods. If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact Melissa Lee at mlee@umfs.org. 

Central Region: Let’s Look into Our Future
Join Project LIFE as we get together to create our 2024 Vision Boards!
January 17, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

UMFS 3900 West Broad Street CHS Auditorium
Vision boards can include your aspirations for the year ahead and any thoughts or feelings you want to bring into your life. Whichever you choose, it’s important to include goals you can actually achieve. Describe your goals in vivid detail. Then every time you take a peek at your vision board, you’ll always be reminded of your yearly goals. By regularly looking at your vision board, you immerse yourself in a visual representation of what you want or hope to achieve. This helps create a positive and powerful image in your mind, making it easier to believe in your ability to achieve your goals. Contact T. Murphy at tmurphy@umfs.org to register for this event.

Central Region’s Parenting Together Group

January 24 and continuing monthly | 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

for Youth in-person at UMFS, RVA
Any Virginia youth, aged 14-23, who has experienced foster care and is a parent, or soon to be parent, to a young child is invited to attend this peer support group. This group will learn together in a safe space while relating with other peers in the same stage of parenthood. Attendees can bring their child(ren) with them to this group, and will be connected to resources, local experts, and prizes/gifts. If you would like to attend or have questions, please contact T at tmurphy@umfs.org.

Project LIFE Contacts

Text PLIFE to 833.640.1244 to sign up for PL news texted right to you.

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