We had a special awards ceremony for SOHO last Friday morning!

SOHO received the statewide Shining Star Award, part of the Dominion ArtStars awards given through Virginians for the arts. These awards celebrate arts and education in the community, recognizing arts organizations that best demonstrate and advance synergy between the two. Shining Star awards emphasize the contributions of arts organizations through their partnership and collaboration with schools across the commonwealth. In honor of this big occasion we threw an awards ceremony! We were so happy to see mentors from past years – all the way back to SOHO’s very first year. SOHO would like to thank Richmond City Councilman Parker Agelasto, Delegate Betsy Carr, and the representative from Congressman Bobby Scotts office who attended for coming to the ceremony and celebrating this achievement with us.

The ceremony included speeches by VisArts CEO Ava Spece, Iris Holliday with Dominion, Emily Smith – board member for Virginians for the Arts and program staff for SOHO – Tesni Stephen, Jordan Roeder and Liana Elguero. We concluded this with a few stories from past and present SOHO mentors.  We are so thankful for this award and for the support represented that morning through all of our lovely attendees. Go SOHO!

Getting Ready for SOHO

We start tomorrow! Very excited about all the new participants, and looking forward to this years program.

For those from past years, here are a few cool things happening in RVA that might be fun activities for you and your mentee. The Great Pumpkin Palooza at Innsbrook is taking place this Saturday, Oct. 25th. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://www.richmond.com/calendar/festival/event_bd6de2f6-435e-11e4-af98-10604b9f7e36.html. Also on Oct. 25th, Scott's Addition is hosting it's own Pumpkin festival and Family Movie Night. For details, take a look on their website http://scottsadditionpumpkinfestival.com/index.html.

The by the pound tub at Ashby in Carytown is still giving proceeds to SOHO until next Friday. If you happen to be interested in doing some shopping before then, keep Ashby in mind! https://www.facebook.com/ashbynotes

Exciting News!

SOHO has been given the statewide Shining Star Award!The Shining Star award is sponsored by Virginians For Fine Arts (VTFA) and The Dominion Foundation. The award donates five thousand dollars to programs that support education and the arts throughout the region. This accolade celebrates community outreach efforts that demonstrate and advance creativity and learning. We are excited and grateful to be selected as this years recipient! Congratulations and a big thank you to everyone who has been involved!

A New Year of SOHO!

The SOHO mentors for the new year had their orientation this past Friday! A big thank you to all of these awesome ladies for taking part! The orientation provided time for all the mentors to get to know one another and prepare for a great year with the program.

Our current group of mentors span many disciplines. We have a Biology Professor at VCU, a Purchaser for an interior design firm, a Program Coordinator, a Restaurant Manager , a Latin Teacher, a Business Systems Analyst, a Trip Coordinator at World Pediatric Project, a Compensation Analyst, a Barista, a Program Overseer at HandsOn Greater Richmond, a Public Relations Worker at the Valentine History Museum, and a Business Consultant. We are really looking forward to having them in our SOHO program this year.

Other exciting new about the program! Ashby, Accessory Store, Consignment and Thrift have announced that SOHO will be their "Buy The Pound" charity for the month of October. We are so excited and appreciative of this gesture.

 

Their store is located in Carytown, and their facebook has all the info about their business. https://www.facebook.com/ashbynotes

 

 

In other news - SOHO now has an Instagram account!  Follus us: @SOHO_visarts

 

Meet Our Past Mentors: Sarah Mullens

Sarah Mullens was a SOHO mentor this past year. Since the end of the program, she has stayed in regular contact with her SOHO little sister and pursued mentorship of her own.

Sarah comes from a long line of educators, and has had a lifelong passion for learning and service. In high school, she co-founded and led Library for the Homeless, an organization that delivered books to Austin, TX's homeless population. She then attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she concentrated in Mathematics and Philosophy, with a minor in Formal Logic. After college, she taught mathematics at a Title-One high school with Teach for America.

After coming to Richmond, she and Richard Luck began UnBoundRVA. UnBoundRVA invests in talented individuals from low-income communities, connecting them to the resources, training, and the support needed to become successful entrepreneurs.  Sarah focuses on curriculum development, teacher training and identifying talent.

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What would you say most motivated you to apply to be a big sister in SOHO?

I love the idea of changing someone's life trajectory through conversations--especially conversations as such a critical part of someone's life. When you're 12, the smallest choices and changes can have such big impacts on your life in the future, and I loved, and still love, the idea that I could be a small part of that with someone.

What most surprised you about your experience during SOHO?

I think I had forgotten how hard it was to be 12. Trying to empathize with Caliyah and her struggles at school or with friends or whatever often left me dumbfounded. It's crazy thinking about what that feels like for her and what it felt like for me.


Connecting with a little sister happens quickly for some and slowly for others. How did this happen for you and your little sister?

We connected really quickly, because we both have big personalities and love to make new friends. The challenge actually came after the excitement of being with someone new wore off. The real work started about 2 months into the program when we really had to start developing a meaningful relationship.

What was the funniest moment you shared with your little sister? 

It's so hard to pick that, because Caliyah and I both laugh all the time. She was always doing something crazy. That was probably one of the best parts for me. She was such a reality check, like, "Sarah, stop taking yourself so seriously."

What was your biggest challenge as a SOHO big sister during the program?

8 months is a long time. I'd say the biggest challenge for me through the program was devoting 12 hours per month for that length of time. I always had a ton of fun once I got there though!

It’s been about 3 months since the SOHO program has ended, can you talk about your relationship with your little sister since then?

We are planning a trip to UVA, but unfortunately, we haven't been able to get together since the program ended. We're both keeping journals that we will share when we see each other.

Have there been any other mentoring relationships you’ve been a part of since SOHO?

I've kept up with my SOHO mentor pretty regularly, and I will also be a part of Mentor Richmond, but that is me being mentored. To be totally honest, the program helped me see that I need some mentoring before I'm ready to be a mentor again!

If you had to name one thing that you took away from your involvement with SOHO, what would that be?

A serious appreciation for cross-generational relationships. It is so awesome to see life from the eyes of someone who is really similar to you, but just at a different point on the path. I loved that.

Check out Sarah Mullen's inspiring organization Unbound RVA here: http://www.unboundrva.org/

Deadline for SOHO Mentors Extended!

It's a busy time of year and we want to make sure that all of you who are interested have the chance to submit your applications to be mentors. After some feedback we've decided to extend the application deadline to Friday August 29th.

Remember, SOHO is a wonderful program with a big impact, and it does require a time commitment from you as a mentor. Please take a look at our SOHO 14-15 Schedule – for Mentors as you consider applying. Please remember that this program is offered free to all of our mentors, however there are opportunities for sponsorship by an employer or affiliated organization. 

Please submit an application to Jordan Roeder, Outreach Coordinator at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond:

2014-15 SOHO Mentor Application

Via Email: jordanroeder@visarts.org

By Mail:
SOHO Program
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23220

Want to be a SOHO big sister? You can apply now!

We are now recruiting members for the 2014-2015 SOHO year! Come share your creative energy and support a girl in our community!

SOHO mentors are women early in their career or who may be starting a new direction in life who wish to share their encouraging words and patient hands to support strong, confident young women on a journey of self-discovery. You will act as mentors to your “little sister” each week while completing art projects and participating in activities here at the Visual Arts Center. You also will have an active role in events such as our opening and closing ceremonies and the final room makeovers at each girl’s home.

Watch the in-depth video below to hear from past big and little sisters of the program about their experiences.

SOHO: Interviews from Briget Ganske on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/68353803

As a SOHO mentor you receive leadership and mentorship training to help guide you towards your own future and help you do the same for your little sister. This will include workshop-style sessions on Friday afternoons that address topics such as effective communication, authentic leadership, goal-setting, and cultural competency. You will also receive training and consultation about your role as a big sister and how to navigate your relationship with your little sister.

SOHO is a program with a big impact, and it does require a time commitment from you as a mentor. Please take a look at our SOHO 14-15 Schedule – for Mentors as you consider applying. Please remember that this program is offered free to all of our prospective mentors. There is an opportunity for sponsorship from employees or local organizations who wish to give to the SOHO program in your honor and sponsor your experience, however this is not required.

Please submit a SOHO Mentor Application and resume to Jordan Roeder, Outreach Coordinator  no later than Monday, August 25th.

2014-15 SOHO Mentor Application

 SOHO 14-15 Schedule – for Mentors

Via Email:

info@visarts.org

By Mail:
SOHO Program
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 West Main Street
Richmond, VA 23220