On Monday evening, I was delighted to be part of the Metro Richmond Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) chapter dinner, highlighting our efforts to advance policy in many areas of justice. Delegate Betsy Carr and I were recognized for our “Faith in Housing” legislation from the 2024 session designed to empower faith communities to assist individuals in need of affordable housing. I look forward to continuing to work with VICPP to address affordable housing, criminal justice reform, health equity, and much more.  

On Tuesday, my Chief of Staff joined members of AIA Virginia to share best practices on advocating at the General Assembly. Participants were particularly interested in learning more about legislative deadlines, bill limits, and Committee procedures. By offering these training sessions, the goal of my office is to make state government more accessible and strengthen public understanding of government processes, both in and out of the legislative session. Any community organization or group is able to request an advocacy training, in English or Spanish, from my office by emailing us: [email protected]. 

On Tuesday evening, I was pleased to join the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners (VCNP) to meet members from across Central Virginia and share our work in the General Assembly to increase access to care for Virginians. In November, I will be joining VCNP at its Pharmacology Symposium to provide a keynote address from my perspectives as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee.

After my visit with VCNP members, I joined community members from the Swansboro West Civic Association for its National Night Out celebration. This annual celebration brings together neighborhood partnerships with police departments and first responders to foster collaboration and to bring communities closer together. In conversations with community members, I was impressed by the Association’s efforts to revitalize the neighborhood through the planting of trees, the proposed development of a park, and the intentional efforts to build community within the neighborhood.

On Thursday morning, I attended a portion of the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium (VTEC) Conference. The focus was on the importance of reclaiming the history, voice, and presence of Virginia’s Indigenous Peoples. Keynote speakers highlighted the grim racial history of the Virginia Racial Integrity Act 1924 and the refusal of states to acknowledge voting rights following the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act 1924. These laws had a significant legal, social, cultural, and educational impact on Native American communities in Virginia. VTEC’s work is crucial to sharing an accurate history that has been intentionally erased for too long.

Shortly after the VTEC Conference, I joined Bruce Slough, Executive Director of Saint Francis - Manchester, an assisted living community, to tour its facilities and operation. This mission of Saint Francis - Manchester is to serve our aging citizens, especially those needing extra support. I appreciated the quality of care and service shown by support staff in both medical and personal care. 

Last Friday, I was honored to join the Psychiatric Society of Virginia and receive the Society’s 2024 Legislator of the Year Award. The increased needs for psychiatric and mental health care are evident in multiple contexts. My colleagues and I in the General Assembly remain focused on developing solutions to respond to the shortages in the healthcare workforce, pediatric mental health treatment, psychiatric bed shortages, and much more.   

I began Saturday by traveling to Fork Union for the annual Justice Jamboree Crabfest fundraiser hosted by Lefty Lunch Ladies, the Fluvanna County Democratic Committee, and the Fluvanna Leaders for Race and Diversity. I had a great time talking to old and new friends as I shared the stakes in this November’s elections. We were joined by special guests and Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan. Mr. Khan is the recipient of the 2022 Medal of Freedom, presented by President Joe Biden. 

On Saturday evening, I attended the Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner, a gala celebrating ten years of marriage equality in Virginia. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity to highlight and thank the individuals who fought for marriage equality and those who continue to champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

On Sunday, I was honored to join the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha mandir located in my district to celebrate the 91st Birthday of the spiritual leader, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. The temple’s community members’ emphasis on volunteer work, community building, support for the elderly, and mentoring of the young are evident throughout all of their efforts.