Dear friends,

We decided to give this week’s newsletter a theme—kindness. In this edition, I’ll send well wishes to those celebrating Hanukkah, reflect on recent visits to a Chesterfield County agency and the grand opening of the ICNA Relief Center, explain a new online campaign, and highlight International Day of Peoples with Disabilities. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and staying informed about the current happenings around Virginia Senate District 10.

Celebrating Hanukkah
Constituents across Senate District 10 and across the Commonwealth began observing Hanukkah on Sunday. Also known as “the Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. To all the constituents celebrating across Senate District 10, my office wishes you a meaningful holiday. Chanukah Sameach!

Visiting the Chesterfield County Domestic & Sexual Violence Resource Center
According to the Center for Disease Control, 25% of women and almost 10% of men experience domestic violence during their lifetimes. These rates are even higher for people who are transgender or non-binary. In Chesterfield County, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center works with survivors, provides legal services, connects survivors with resources such as housing and economic opportunities, and changes lives for the better.

Additionally, DSVR staff also assist in providing services through the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force, which provides emergency assistance for survivors like housing, financial assistance, and more. The Task Force is currently collecting old smartphones and cell phones to give to individuals facing issues of domestic violence. These donated phones can be dropped off at the Lane B. Ramsey Administrative Building (9901 Lori Rd), the Community Development Building (9800 Government Center Pkwy), or any Chesterfield County Public Library. To learn more about the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force, visit their website.

The staff at the DSVRC lead with kindness and heart. We are grateful to have this incredible team of advocates and specialists working on behalf of survivors. Special thanks to DSVRC Coordinator, Lindsay Cassada, for hosting us during our visit. You can contact the DSVRC by calling 804-318-8264 or by visiting their website.
 

Grand Opening of the ICNA Relief Center
On Wednesday, I participated in the grand opening of the Islamic Center of North America’s (ICNA) Relief Center for the Greater Richmond Region. The ICNA Relief Center is a part of a nationwide network of shelters, food pantries, health clinics, skill development programs, disaster relief services, refugee services and more.

The facility is an amazing site, built on the principles of service to the community. A robust food pantry, computer training, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, counseling services, and much more are housed at the Lafayette Drive location.

The food pantry is already up and running, Monday through Friday. The hard work and dedication of so many volunteers has made this wonderful resource possible. ICNA Relief has fed hundreds of families throughout the pandemic and has provided support and hope to families throughout Virginia. This new resource will be a strong partner with FeedMore and other collaborating partners.

Chesterfield County Kindness Campaign
Kindness comes in many forms and can come from anyone—a friend, family member, neighbor, or stranger. The new #CfieldKindness initiative celebrates all of the thoughtful things Chesterfield residents are already doing for each other while also encouraging others to go out and do something kind. Share your stories and moments of kindness by using the hashtag #CfieldKindness on social media. You can learn more about this new initiative by visiting the Chesterfield Kindness page.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Today commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. First proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992, this day aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities, learn from the experiences of people living with disabilities, and advocate for an inclusive and accessible society for all. You can learn more about International Day of Persons with Disabilities by visiting the United Nations website.

Contacting My Office
I continue to have one-on-one meetings with constituents and organizations. If you want to schedule a meeting, on Zoom or in person, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. As a reminder, email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected]. You can also schedule a meeting through our easy scheduling app.

— Ghazala