Lauren’s Little Blog

5 things I have learned while at CCEVA

So far in my time at CCEVA I have learned so much about the organization. CCEVA has so much more to offer than I could have ever imagined. Before doing my internship, I had no idea that CCEVA provided so many amazing opportunities, services and programs to our community. The number one thing I learned is the kinds and number of programs and services that CCEVA has. Being able to talk to all the great staff I learned about the classes that financial housing counseling has and the topics they focus on with clients. I have learned about the services that guardianship provides, and it was really eye opening to hear about the amount of work that the guardians take on with their clients. I have also been able to see how much time and preparation goes into running larger events. The last thing I want to mention that I have learned is the amount of care and focus that goes into empowering clients rather than enabling through assistance.

A breakdown of the top 5 things I have learned

1. The range of programs and number of services that CCEVA has to offer
   • CCEVA has programs for families, seniors, financial counseling, guardianship, mental health and more! We have 6 departments and 20 programs and services that cover everyone in our community through all stages of life.
   • These programs allow clients to grow, learn and reach goals that they have set for themselves. Seeing the variety of programs at CCEVA shows the depth of care they have for the community and have had for almost 95 years of service.
2. The topics and classes that FHC – Financial Housing Counseling has and focuses on
   • Being able to learn more about FHC was great! This is such a great program that so many people can use free of charge. The classes on budgeting and homebuying are something that I think more people should be utilizing! I was able to meet with Vanessa who is the director of FHC, which was very informative and a great experience. Not only did Vanessa have a ton of knowledge of FHC but she has been with CCEVA for 20 years! FHC is for everyone, but most clients tend to be low-income homes, single parents and individuals who need financial aid.  It was clear from our conversation that FHC is very important and very much needed for our community.
3. The guardianship program & how much work the guardianship case managers put in
   • This is one of the most incredible programs that I have ever heard of! The work that the staff here at CCEVA do for their clients is incredible! As I was learning about this program, I was in shock to hear the amount of work that the people in this program take on. Guardianship does more than you could ever imagine! I was lucky enough to meet with Yashica and learn that they take clients to doctors’ appointments & court dates, they make sure clients are housed, and more. Sometimes they sadly have to plan the client’s funeral. The case managers truly treat them as their own family. 
4. The amount of preparation and time it takes to run their events
   • Doing my internship in the summer, I did not expect to see us working on events such as the Mardi Gras Gala at this time of the year! It has been great to see the amount of work that goes into these bigger events and the care that the development department puts into them. The gala isn’t until this coming February, and we have already started to engage with local businesses and organizations in the community. This year’s gala will be even bigger than usual… we are also celebrating CCEVA’s 95th anniversary! I have been able to see that balancing planning fundraising events with other client events like the holiday programs is a big task.
5. The amount of focus CCEVA puts into empowering the community
   • One of my favorite things I have learned about CCEVA is the way they work to help clients grow and create a stronger and more sustainable lifestyle rather than just providing one time assistance that can start to enable clients rather than help them. For example, the mobility mentors host walking challenges, the Senior Services department hosts a support group for caregivers, the mental health counselors are placed in schools to help students, and the GAP Kinship Care program partners with ArtsConnect Virginia so participants can learn DIY crafts. 

Things that have surprised me about CCEVA & Nonprofits

There have been many things that have surprised me in a positive way about CCEVA and the nonprofit world. Not to say I would have expected less, but what surprised me the most about CCEVA is how much time the staff invests in their clients. Before my internship, when I thought of charities or organizations that provided goods and services to the community… My initial thought was always one-time assistance or people coming in for quick help, to grab the things they need, coming to events and utilizing the school supplies and holiday drives. But that is far from the truth, CCEVA has programs that last a year, three years and some even a lifetime. The programs and services that CCEVA has create focus on fostering independence and encouraging family growth. It was inspiring to hear about how the staff direct their clients to other areas of help rather than just focusing on their department. If a client comes in for one thing, the staff works to help them focus on other areas as well. For example, mobility mentoring clients may be referred to the Financial and Housing Counseling or Mental Health Departments to utilize those services as well. This helps people to create a well-rounded lifestyle that is sustainable, rather than just working in one area at a time. CCEVA doesn’t focus on just solving people’s problems but instead works on providing the right resources, knowledge and teaching the proper skills so that individuals and families are able to solve future challenges themselves.