2020 Dare to Dream Grantees

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.