Click here for COVID19 Announcement Blog Events Join Us Grants & Programs Latest Posts2020 Dare to Dream GranteesSeptember 1, 2020Megan Vardiman In addition to having four children at home, Megan is enrolled at Lord Fairfax Community College and is volunteering with the Blue Ridge Hospice and with Young Lives - a program offering support to teen mothers. Megan came to realize that she had a special gift for this work when, a few years ago she was able to help several friends who had experienced late-term miscarriages. These women later told Megan that she had been a godsend at a low time in their lives. Megan finds great satisfaction in being that quiet, dependable shoulder for women to lean on. Megan’s dream is to become a psychologist helping women heal from trauma. She is currently working toward a degree in Human Services at Lord Fairfax. This coming fall, all of her children will be in school; Megan will be able to take a full class schedule. She plans to continue with her college education and eventually get a Masters degree in counseling. Megan has been awarded the Elaine Bromfield Memorial Scholarship of $1,500. Diana Cercy As a mother searching for ways to help her troubled teens, Diana became convinced of the power of the arts and journaling to help families develop tools for self-care and healing. In 2016 she co-founded a non-profit that developed and brought Healing HeARTS Toolboxes and workshops to teens and adults in Prince William and Fauquier Counties. Many school social workers have found the toolboxes and training to be invaluable aids to emotional healing. Diana moved to Linden in 2018 and is eager to expand the Healing HeARTS program to our community and to Warren County schools. Diana has been awarded $900 to purchase supplies for the toolboxes. Mary Cook Mary lives with her husband and seven-year-old daughter in an old farmhouse off of Browntown Road. An accomplished artist, she has held several arts management positions, including Director of the Torpedo Factory’s Gallery in Alexandria, VA. After moving to Warren County, Mary took time out to raise her young daughter. She began offering arts workshops to local children in both public and private schools. Mary has established a thriving arts/nature summer program for kids at the Izaak Walton League: Walton Wednesdays. She has opened a studio space in Front Royal where she plans to offer arts experiences year-round. All of Mary’s workshops focus on process rather than product. Her dream is to eventually offer free arts experiences to childrenand adults in need. Mary has been awarded $900 to purchase materials for mobile arts workshops. Taylor Fletcher Taylor is a nursing student at Lord Fairfax Community College. She has a BA in Exercise Science and is a Certified Nursing Assistant. She worked for two years as a CNA while also caring for her ailing grandmother. It was this experience that convinced her that nursing was her calling.It was this experience that convinced her that nursing was her calling. Taylor’s dream is to become a Nurse Practitioner. To reach this goal, she will need to continue her nursing studies at LFCC to attain her associate of applied science degree in registered nursing before transferring to a four-year university to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees She has quite a road ahead of her. Taylor has been awarded $1,000 for tuition at LFCC. Mia Coffman Mia is a Front Royal native now in her junior year at the University of Lynchburg where she is working toward a degree in Special Education. Her heart has always been drawn to helping those with disabilities and special needs. During summer breaks, Mia works with Christian Freedom International and with Joni & Friends Camp which gives outdoor experiences and respite for families caring for disabled children. Mia’s dream is to teach children with special needs as a full-time professional. Mia has been awarded $600 for tuition for a class next semester. Amanda Horn Amanda majored in fine art at the Art Institute of Chicago and at George Mason University. In 2011 her first son was born, followed by a second son in 2013. Motherhood left her with scant time or energy to devote to painting. With her children at her side, she was able to find time to garden, hike and investigate the natural world. By 2016 she was able to carve out time to paint again... now with a focus on plants and wildlife. She has helped paint several murals in and on buildings in the area and would like to help with more of them. She has shown and sold her work at wineries, area art shows, and festivals throughout the greater D.C. area. Amanda’s dream is to become ever more successful as she shares her paintings with others. Amanda has been awarded $1,000 to purchase a portable display system. Eka Kapiotis Eka is no stranger to this organization. She has been a helping and healing force among us for many years. Eka began her career as a massage therapist in 1984. Many of you here learned Reiki from her through the Valley Health training program she established. That program continues to this day. Eka is always seeking more effective ways to help others heal. In addition to her massage therapy and Reiki practice, she became a Cranio-Sacral Therapist and has worked with dolphin-assisted CST programs. Eka’s dream is to become a certified CST therapist at the very highest level - that of “Diplomate.” This will involve significant work on her part, onsite testing, and travel. Eka has been awarded $600 to apply to the cost of certification. Meghan LeCompte Meghan is a busy young woman. She recently completed her studies to become an LPN. Now she is taking classes at ECPI University to become an RN. Meanwhile, she volunteers at Warren County Fire and Rescue. She also works as a Medical Technician at the Senior Living Center in Front Royal, and as a Trauma Tech at Winchester Medical Center. When she completes her RN degree in 2021, Meghan plans to work and continue her studies for a BS in Nursing, then an MS in Nursing - and eventually realize her dream of being an ER nurse. Meghan has been awarded $1,000 for school expenses. Laura Ruby Laura has been contributing to our community for many years, volunteering in the schools, for youth sports leagues, Girl Scouts, the Humane Society, and Reaching Out Now - a program for at-risk middle school girls. In 2017 she opened Ruby Yoga in Front Royal. The business has grown steadily ever since. Now Laura sees a need to expand her skills and knowledge to better meet the needs of her clients. Specifically, she seeks training in Kids’ yoga and in Trauma-informed yoga. Laura’s dream is to offer classes that will better address the needs of underserved populations. Laura has been awarded $600 to help pay for her training.... Read more...WomanGathering – September 2020August 31, 2020WomanGathering FACEBOOK LIVE ONLY Free Event WomanGatherings are informational and inspirational evenings intended to nurture the womanspirit in each of us. Thursday, September 17 Time: 6:00 – 6:30 PM. Guest: Jennifer Goodnight; CSP, CPH Topic: Voting Safely in November Host: Eka Kapiotis Videographer: Jen Avery Jennifer is local to Front Royal; a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified in Public Health (CPH). She will share a bit about her work since the start of the pandemic and how she has been helping the local Medical Reserve Corps train Infection Prevention Ambassadors in preparation for the November election. Brief Bio: Jennifer has a Bachelor's in Biology from MIT and a Master's in Public Health from George Washington University. In graduate school, Jennifer published research on how to effectively wash your hands in developing countries or other areas where soap, clean water, and paper towels are not readily available. Over her career, Jennifer has worked in pulmonary toxicology, occupational health, and laboratory safety, including biosafety. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer has developed COVID-19 prevention strategies for her company and assisted Virginia's Department of Health with pandemic response activities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-goodnight-csp-cph-6023ba44/... Read more...Center Stage 2020August 29, 2020About FRWRC Center Stage: View Video Front Royal Women's Resource Center Announces new networking series: CENTER STAGE (launches on Tuesdays) Get ready for an exciting video series that will help local women share their message. New book? Hosting a special event? Do you provide a new service? We can help you SHARE the news! Call the FRWRC (540) 636-7007 to get on the schedule. Your host Jen Avery is ready to get some momentum going! "Welcome to Center Stage...it's your time to shine." #centerstage #frwrc Joanne Cherefko, Author View Video Welcome to FRWRC Center Stage with Joanne Zarrillo Cherefko, poet and award winning educator. Watch this episode to learn about the Who, What, Why, and Where of her new book Fragmented Roots. Joanne wrote this collection of poetry prior to Covid-19 but you will be amazed how many of these poems will touch your current life situation. "Fragmented Roots is part love letter, part primal scream, and altogether transcendent." - Rich Follett Book available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fragmented-Roots-Joanne-Cherefko-ebook/dp/B086H3GY9Sill Find Joanne on Facebook: Joanne Cherefko @consecrationofthewind Be sure to visit website for more about Fragmented Roots and Joanne's other work: https://joannezarrillocherefko.com/ The Women of C & C Frozen Treats View Video The Front Royal Women's Resource Center is proud to present FRWRC Center Stage super special episode featuring The Women of C & C Frozen Treats! Have you ever wondered about the C & C in the name of this Main Street hotspot? Well, watch this episode and learn! You get to actually meet C & C. First time one of these lovely C's has ever visited Front Royal! This is a must watch episode! Be sure to SHARE this post. PS...the sun is sneaking out...better go visit C & C Frozen Treats for a little "memory of a spoon!" C & C Frozen Treats 409 E Main Street, Front Royal VA 540.450.7939 Home made Italian Ice and Ice Cream Making Memories on a Spoon Open Daily 10am - 8pm and late Fri & Sat night until 9pm Downtown Market with Teresa Henry and Cynthia Smithlin View Video Meet Teresa Henry and Cynthia Smithlin, owners of Downtown Market. With a lot of hard work and family team effort, these two women have created a dream come true for many of our local arts and small business owners. Teresa and Cynthia have a size range of space available to fit everyone's needs. They LOVE to watch artisans grow! Watch this episode to learn the Who, What, Why behind the Downtown Market and hear about what kind of dedication it takes from these two women to keep the momentum going! Downtown Market Art Walk Shop Local Weekend Main Street ART WALK: Teresa and Cynthia have worked along side others on Main Street to put together the Main Street Art Walk, August 29th (RAIN DATE Sept 5). This special event is an effort to follow social distancing guidelines and safety regulations for Covid-19, while bringing a little activity to Main Street highlighting our amazing LOCAL talent! Teresa Henry of Strokes of Creativity Cynthia Smithlin of Bright New Image Vinyls & Antiques Michelle Smeltzer, Warren County Community Liaison View Video Welcome to the FRWRC CENTER STAGE featuring Warren County Community Liaison, Michelle Smeltzer. Watch this video to learn all about Who, What, Why, and Where behind this amazing APP Michelle has created. The APP will help our entire community locate valuable resources about our public schools, fire stations, location of Blessing Boxes, St. Luke, CCAP, where to find a donated meal for dinner, and so much more! Michelle will take us on a tour! Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Warren County and to our local Social Services Department for helping fund this useful tool. GET the APP by going to your app store on your device and typing in: WARREN COUNTY VA RESOURCES Michelle Smeltzer, Warren County Community Liaison https://www.facebook.com/wccommunityl... Warren County Community Liaison FRWRC-Front Royal Women's Resource Center #CenterStage #WomenEmpoweringWomen Dr. Sherri Yoder View Video Welcome to the first FRWRC CENTER STAGE featuring Dr. Sherri and her newest book Breakup Breakthroughs! Watch this video to learn all about Who, What, Why, and Where behind the book and what Dr. Sherri has to offer as a "Thought World Expert!" Dr. Sherri - Thriving Expert, Podcast Host, Thought Coach, Writer Get YOUR copy of Dr. Sherri's latest book, Breakup Breakthroughs right here!! https://www.amazon.com/Breakup-Breakt... https://thrivingthoughts.podbean.com/ https://m.facebook.com/Dr.SherriYoder/ Instagram: @dr.sherrispeaks Podcast on iTunes & Spotify (Thriving Thoughts with Dr. Sherri) DrSherriSpeaks@gmail.com 540-535-5783 (Direct Mobile) BE DELIBERATE. LOOK RECKLESS... Read more...2020 Kim South Girl GrantAugust 17, 2020Congratulations Reaching Out Now Girls of Destiny Awarded 2020 Kim South Girl Grant A Special Thank You to Mary Ellen South KSGG Founder & Sponsor. The Girl Grant-was initiated in 2006 by a FRWRC member in memory of her daughter. In 2015 the grant was renamed the Kim South Girl Grant in honor of Mary Ellen South’s daughter. The grant is to inspire future leadership, curiosity, confidence, and success. The grant is utilized for specialized programs such as summer camp, courses in the arts, summer school, a training course, tutoring or special needs. Grants may also be awarded to an organization or a club that is empowering young girls through related activities. One or more grants are given annually in the amount of $200 – $500 to a Warren County student or organization. $1,000 is available in grant funding annually. Funds go directly to the activity/program. Girls of Destiny 2020 Awards A celebration of leadership, service, and empowerment. Reaching Out Now held the Girl of Destiny Luau Awards Ceremony. The girls and their families gathered to celebrate, enjoy delicious food by Chef Devin Smith, and wish the graduating 8th graders good luck as they move into leadership roles in 9th grade! There were several tears shed when remembering how far the girls have come. Watch this video to hear some of the kind words shared by Samantha Barber (Founder and President) and Marlena Conner (Board Member & Mentor Liaison) as they present the awards. Michelle Rutledge (Board Member & Community Outreach) shares the opening prayer and recognizes Samantha for her hard work and dedication. The video also features Kendallee Walker (Samantha Barber's daughter) as she addresses the group regarding a "Note on Leadership", Anne Cobb (Vice President) reads a special letter from Dr. Michelle Edwards written to the girls, and closing prayer by Judith James.To learn more about Reaching Out Now and programs, please visitt:https://reachingoutnow.org/ Photos and Video Courtesy of Jen Avery Click to Read More - Royal Examiner/Jen Avery Girl of Destiny 2020 Awards https://youtu.be/dZN6kS3o_w8... Read more...
