Meet this week's guest editor, Helen Rai! Helen’s story is one of resilience and community. Born in Nepal, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 2005, where her family found strength within the local community. Now, as Program Director at Circles RVA and Director of Client Engagement at ReEstablish Richmond, Helen works to foster shared responsibility and well-being throughout the community.
Passionate about her heritage, she serves on the boards of the Asian American Society of Central Virginia, the Nepali Community of Greater Richmond Virginia, and Kasama Collective, amplifying Asian American and Nepali voices.
Outside of work, Helen and her husband stay busy raising two toddlers and preparing for a month-long journey to Nepal next year.
Take it away, Helen ...
Circles RVA Homecoming & Family Reunion
Join us in celebrating a milestone! This month marks 7 years of Circles RVA, and we’re thrilled to invite you to our Homecoming event on November 16th. Together, we’ll reflect on the incredible work we’ve done, honor the inspiring achievements of our Leaders, and dream of a future where everyone in Richmond has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive. This is a celebration of our past and a vision for the future, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Uniting to Amplify Love: A Collective Meditation at The Well Collective
What if, for one hour, tens of thousands of people came together to create an unstoppable wave of love and healing? With special guest Marianne Williamson, hosted by Candace Blair and The Love Tower at Ashah, this isn’t just a meditation—it’s a global gathering, amplifying our collective intention. While this will be a live streamed event accessible around the world, Marianne Williamson and Candace Blair will be with us LIVE and in person at The Well Collective with a limited number of seats available to join!
Join wildlife specialists from the Alliance of Wild Animal Rehabilitators and Educators (AWARE) as they discuss their mission of rehabilitating, providing sanctuary and individualized care for Virginia's native wildlife with the intent to release. They will provide tips on what to do if you find wildlife in need of help.
Vitals:
Wildlife Rescue with AWARE / Saturday, November 16, 11:00 - 12:00 pm / FREE / Libbie Mill, 2100 Libbie Lake E St, Richmond
More About Circles RVA
In a time marked by division, Circles RVA brings people from diverse backgrounds and experiences together to tackle the complex issue of poverty. We believe in the transformative power of social capital—recognizing that who you know is as crucial as what you know in achieving economic stability and success.
Our approach centers around building social networks that empower individuals to not just survive but truly thrive. At the core of our organization is the "Circle Leader": a person striving to move from survival to stability. Each Circle Leader determines their own unique path, setting goals in areas like employment, asset building, debt reduction, credit improvement, homeownership, or entrepreneurship.
Through Circles RVA, we offer a structured foundation backed by proven research highlighting social capital as a key factor in reducing poverty. We are committed to creating opportunities and networks that foster growth, resilience, and long-term economic stability.
Meet this week's guest editor, Ellyn Parker! An artist, writer, and community connector, Ellyn champions the power of nature, creativity, and the arts to foster healing, connection, and community vitality. Growing up outside Lynchburg, in a log cabin by a lake with parents who were public school teachers, Ellyn developed a lifelong love for the Blue Ridge Mountains and for learning. She recently pursued advanced research in Arts in Health through the University of Florida’s Arts in Medicine program, delving into social prescribing—the idea that access to arts, nature, and social connection is essential to wellbeing.
After spending over two decades in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she raised her daughter, owned an art gallery, and became involved in community activism, Ellyn found herself working in government as a community development specialist. For nine years, she led programs that boosted economic development in the nightlife and maker industries, using arts as a bridge to bring people together. Since returning to Virginia in 2015, Ellyn served as the Public Art Coordinator for the City of Richmond and curated exhibits for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Now, as a public art and creative economy consultant, she is passionate about helping others bring creative visions to life.
Take it away, Ellyn ...
InLight 2024: Grounds for Clearing
Experience the healing power of community, nature, and the arts under the stars. InLight is 1708 Gallery’s annual public exhibition of multimedia works, sculptures, installations, performances, community-based works, and virtual projects that utilize light-based platforms experienced at night.
Quarry RVA & Art Grove Newsletter Artist Connector
Join Art Grove Newsletterand Quarry RVA for an afternoon of building connections with local Richmond artists of any medium and skill level. Discuss the creative process and share hopes for the Richmond artist community. This is a free event featuring tea and cookies.
Nature is the best teacher, companion, healer, and therapist sometimes. You just gotta get up and connect to your breath while watching the sun come up over the water. Yep, that is the good stuff. Watch the day begin (or end, if mornings aren’t your thing) over the beautiful James River which connects our community. Take a breath and let things flow before your day starts. The rest of your day will thank you. Need to cry it out? The river will take your tears and wash them along. Here are a few of my favorite sunrise spots:
Sunrise at the River / Nov 7-13, 6:41 am / FREE / locations linked above
More About the Artists
Beth Anne Booth and Ellyn Parker began working together professionally in 2019 as art administrators, curating exhibits and community programming within the Richmond, Virginia region. Inspired by recent and significant pivots in their respective personal journeys, Beth Anne and Ellyn organically forged a renewed partnership as collaborating artists. Coupled with their combined expertise in Exhibition Design, Public Art, and Design, they create healing, transformative art experiences that amplify humankind’s sacred connection to the natural world.
In their words – "Our installation for InLight is the visual culmination of our discussions on healing, breathing, the arts, and the natural world. We encourage you to meditate in the spaces between the audible inhales and exhales, honoring the shared human experiences that connect us in grief, gratitude, and presence."
Meet this week's guest editor, Dr. Anjali Ferguson! Anjali is a clinical psychologist, TEDx speaker, and children’s book author dedicated to creating inclusive, equitable communities. As the founder of Parenting Culture and the executive director of the Virginia Association for Infant Mental Health (VAIMH), she is committed to expanding access to mental health care for minoritized communities through culturally responsive care. Recognized by Style Weekly as a Top 40 Under 40 honoree and awarded by the American Psychological Association for distinguished community service, Dr. Ferguson frequently shares her expertise in national publications as a media psychologist. She is also a devoted mom to two young children, a passionate foodie, an arts and culture enthusiast, and an avid traveler who embraces the joy of discovering new places and experiences.
Take it away, Anjali ...
First Fridays at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture!
Every first Friday of the month, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the museum opens its doors for free after-hours admission. It’s a wonderful way to explore Virginia’s rich history with family and friends in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Enjoy live music, tasty bites from food trucks, and family-friendly activities perfect for all ages. Adults can take advantage of $2 off wine and beer in the Museum Café, while kids and adults alike can try specialty mocktails. Each month brings different themed activities, so there’s always something new to discover!
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture, established in 1831, is the oldest museum in Virginia and among the oldest in the U.S. With over nine million items, the VMHC offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the Commonwealth. It’s a place where stories of the past come alive, and the whole family can learn and explore together.
The "Two Up, Wine Down" event on November 2, 2024, at the Jefferson School City Center in Charlottesville, VA, is a short drive from Richmond, making it a great outing for wine enthusiasts. Featuring curated tastings, music, and a vibrant community atmosphere, this family-friendly festival is ideal for exploring the diversity of Virginia wines. VIP tickets offer exclusive early access and additional tastings, with more events on Friday, November 1, to make a full weekend of it.
Día de los Muertos celebration at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a fantastic cultural experience and family-friendly event, taking place in the beautiful garden setting. This festival is a meaningful way to celebrate Mexican heritage and tradition by honoring loved ones who have passed.
Families can bring their own personal offerings to add to the community altar, a central part of Día de los Muertos that symbolizes remembrance. Kids and adults alike will enjoy hands-on activities, including traditional “papel picado” (colorful paper cuttings) demonstrations by artist David Amoroso and sugar skull face-painting by artist Vanessa Hoggins. The event also offers an array of crafts and activities to explore this beautiful celebration of life.
And for those who get hungry while enjoying the festivities, there’s a taco bar offering delicious food options. This vibrant event is a chance for everyone, especially children, to learn more about Día de los Muertos and its deep cultural significance in a joyful, welcoming environment.
Dr. Anjali Ferguson is making significant strides in promoting equity and addressing racial bias through her acclaimed children’s book, An Ordinary Day. Recognized nationally as a must-read, the book highlights microaggressions while providing families with a guide on how to have meaningful discussions about these topics with their children. Parenting Culture plans to host "Parents' Night Out" events where families can gather, enjoy time together, and obtain free resources. Additionally, Dr. Ferguson is in the process of writing a second children's book inspired by the birth of her daughter, so stay tuned for more information on its content!
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