::: Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, Inc. :::


HOME PROGRAMS Art Group Children's Corner Community Allies FANS Giving Tree Special Needs Think Tank SPONSORS VOLUNTEERS POSITIONS REGISTRATION ART GALLERY DONATIONS Cape Henry Events CONTACT US LINKS Upcoming Events: Due to background check requirements, please contact Friends of the Court ASAP to ensure you have proper clearance prior to the Orientation. May 23^th, 2008 Orientation to Mentoring & Volunteering w/Youth September 5^th, 2008 Orientation to Mentoring & Volunteering w/Youth		home • programs • sponsors • volunteers • art gallery donations • running festival • contact us • links
		Our Programs Virtually all of the programs run by The Friends of the VBJDRC depend solely on volunteers for their time, and community support for ongoing financial needs. Some of the ongoing programs sponsored by The Friends which need your support are described below. Art Group Working with two artist volunteers, teens at Tidewater Regional Detention Home meet once a week to work on individual art projects. This initiative gives kids an opportunity for creative self expression, recognition by others, and a sense of accomplishment. Semi-annually, art work is exhibited at the VBJDRC in a juried show. The awards ceremony at the art show's reception allows artists to experience positive recognition and increased self-esteem. Artwork is auctioned to the public and is available for purchase in our Art Gallery. Children's Corner For children accompanying their parents to court because of a lack of child care, Court can be especially scary. The Children's Corner, a space set aside in the court Building staffed by a trained volunteer, provides a controlled and supervised environment where children can play and participate in group activities, while their parents tend to their business at the Court. Community Allies The Community Allies Mentoring Program seeks to unite adult volunteers who are active participants in community organizations with juveniles who are before the court. As mentors, these volunteers will provide the necessary transportation, resources, and support for the juvenile's participation in the organization's activities. This program will allow the juvenile to learn the value of participation in positive community activities. Check out the list of community allies on our links page for participating organizations. We are always seeking new organizations, so if you belong to a community organization that would be interested in participating, please contact us to become one of our community allies. FANS (Family Advocacy Network Services This program comes under the umbrella of the Domestic Relations section of the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. Victims of domestic violence frequently feel as though they don't know where to turn. Navigating and trying to understanding the legal system while in crisis adds to the distress. Very often, victims suffering trauma are also afraid to confront their abusers - even in court - and are frightened to wait in the open waiting room. The FANS volunteer office provides a private environment so that victims can wait unafraid for their case to be called. FANS volunteers counsel victims about community resources available to them, coordinate a meeting between the victim and a pro-bono attorney when available, and provide emotional support by listening to victims, giving them information relevant to their situations, and staying with the victim throughout the process. Giving Tree This special, annual Holiday initiative helps families who otherwise would not be able to celebrate the Holidays' gift giving. Based on recommendations of Court personnel and special requests, and with donations from the community, gifts are purchased, wrapped and presented to all children in a needy family, enabling them to share in the celebration of the season. Special Needs Program The Friends of the VBJDRC frequently are called upon to help with special needs of clients. Requests for prescription medicine, clothing and fees required to take the Graduate Equivalency Diploma Test (GED) as well as other essentials most of us take for granted are regularly funded by the Friends. Many of the stories are poignant, like the teen needing travel money so he could meet his Mother for the first time. Think Tank This program, initiated in 2002 in the CHINS* unit, provides probation violators an opportunity to meet one on one with a trained volunteer to not only address their violation, but to also work together to problem solve so that they make better behavioral choices in the future. Emphasis is placed on understanding consequences of behaviors, and on empowering the individual to be responsible for the conduct and direction of their life. *CHINS = Child in Need of Service or Supervision



		Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, Inc 2425 Nimmo Parkway • Building 10-A, Ground Floor • Virginia Beach, Va 23456 © 2004-2007. Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, Inc.