Food insecurity in Albemarle County is on the rise. Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization, reports that while 11.8 percent of Charlottesville’s population was food insecure in 2018, that number is expected to rise to 15.1 percent by the end of 2020. Accordingly, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank told Richmond’s NBC12 in August […]
the haven
Unsettled: The Haven, PACEM face challenges housing guests during the pandemic
As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise in our area, life has become increasingly dangerous for those who do not have a place to call home. To protect these vulnerable community members, local shelters have pivoted from their usual operations and redoubled their efforts over the past several months—but not without challenges. For […]
The Power Issue: People and organizations that hold us together in tough times
Every year, C-VILLE publishes a power issue. It’s usually a rundown of local real-estate moguls and entrepreneurs, tech tycoons, arts leaders, and big donors. This year’s issue is a little different—most of the people and groups listed here aren’t the richest folks in town. They don’t own the most land, they don’t run the […]
Answering the call: PACEM seeks to create a permanent women’s shelter
Last August, Chinikqua Joseph’s Buckingham County home burned down. Thankfully, no one was injured or killed by the fire, but she, along with her mother and godmother, lost everything. They were homeless. While looking for housing, Joseph stayed with friends, and later with a boyfriend. When [...]
In brief: 1619 Project comes to town, Chase announces governor bid, and more
Get serious: Talking reparations, monuments, and more What does it mean to confront the truth? To not be complacent in an unjust system? To seek justice for those who’ve been oppressed by that system for over 400 years? Acclaimed New York Times Magazine writer Nikole Hannah-Jones grappled with [...]
Better care for all
Health is vital to well-being, but not everyone gets the care they need. Here’s a look at some local efforts to help underserved populations, from new moms to new arrivals. BY Brielle Entzminger, Ben Hitchcock, Erika Howsare, Laura Longhine, and Jennifer MacAdam-Miller. ‘A medical home:’ [...]
More than a store: Uplift Thrift benefits mental health, addiction services
With the newly expanded Goodwill on 29 North, SPCA Rummage in Seminole Square, and boutique favorites like Darling, Charlottesville has no shortage of spots to score second-hand goods. But the newest arrival, Uplift Thrift, comes with a unique mission: all of its proceeds support the work of On [...]
This week, 12/18
“It’s hard to know how to navigate all the different things coming our way on the global and national stage,” Stephen Hitchcock, the executive director of The Haven told me recently. “To understand how to think well and live well in light of the systems we’re entangled in. It can feel almost [...]
Where you’re always welcome: In an increasingly expensive city, downtown day shelter The Haven is a model of community and ‘radical hospitality’
Photos by Zack Wajsgras In January, The Haven will celebrate 10 years of serving homeless and extremely low-income people in the heart of Charlottesville. As the Downtown Mall has been revitalized, the area has become increasingly expensive, home to luxury residences like C&O Row and the [...]
ARTS Pick: Tracy Howe, Rev. Sekou, and The Nashville Freedom Fighters
New trails: Tracy Howe’s social gospel soul album Things That Grow honors marginalized communities while celebrating beauty and resilience. Tracks like “Frack Me” and “Our Strength” are rallying cries against misogyny and predatory capitalism, and “Bury Me,” a protest song about white [...]
Another adios: La Taza closes its doors after 13 years in Belmont
La Taza owner Melissa Easter has recently struggled with a big decision: Should she close her restaurant of the past 13 years or expand? Ultimately she decided it was time for a lifestyle change, and she and her ex-husband, Jeff, sold the restaurant and building to new owners. “I’ve been [...]
LIVING Picks: Week of March 7-13
FAMILY Caromont Farm open house Thursday, March 8 Stop by Caromont Farm for a tour, to browse the pop-up shop selling cheese-centric items, and—the main attraction—baby goat snuggling. Reserve slots in advance to spend quality time with the kids. $10 (ages 4 and under free), 11am-4pm. Caromont [...]
LIVING Picks: Week of December 13-19
FAMILY Mrs. Claus Invites Wednesday, December 13 Mrs. Claus and her friends invite kids of all ages to enjoy singing, storytelling, craftmaking and more. Advance tickets required. $10, 4-6pm. Omni Hotel Charlottesville, 212 Ridge McIntire Rd. virginiagingerbreadchristmas.com NONPROFIT Bengali [...]
Blue Moon pop-ups feed the community
Although Blue Moon Diner is closed during construction of 600 West Main, the six-story mixed-use building going up behind the restaurant, that hasn’t stopped owner Laura Galgano from serving her customers. “I am a social being, and quite simply, [I] want to know what folks are up to, how their [...]
Get your fix at new mobile cake bar
Have your cake and eat it, too: The newly launched Sliced. Cake Bar offers homemade cake by the slice, buttercream shots and cake flights (like a beer flight, but with cake). Co-owners Megan and Rock Watson got the idea after visiting a popular Dallas cake bar. Only Rock thought the sweet [...]
ARTS Pick: Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards
“Talent is an accident of genes—and a responsibility,” said the late actor Alan Rickman. For the past 20 years, the Piedmont Council for the Arts has identified more than 250 area high school students as bearers of that responsibility through its annual Arthur C. Greene Rising Star Awards. This [...]
LIVING Picks: Week of March 1-7
NONPROFIT GenR: Charlottesville launch party Thursday, March 2 This organization’s inaugural fundraiser supports the International Rescue Committee’s work in helping refugees resettle here and rebuild their lives. $35-75; 6:30-9pm. Old Metropolitan Hall, 101 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. [...]
New program guides homeless in starting their own businesses
Becky Blanton became invisible 10 years ago. She shared her story—how she went from working as a newspaper editor to living out of her van and eventually identifying as homeless—with her fellow entrepreneurs in a Community Investment Collaborative program in the fall of 2015. CIC runs a 16-week [...]