SERVICES OFFERED

COMMUNITY VENTURES offers each resident a wide array of programming designed to develop each person holistically as it relates to instilling a sense of self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence.

• Case Management
  In an attempt to create a smooth transition into our program and group living environment, all residents will be offered access to basic social services. Using the client’s Individual Service Plan as the primary tool, we will involve ourselves in coordinating and making accessible to our clients every possible resource available, be it public or private, relative to the goals set forth in either the client’s ISP or those that may be uncovered as they progress through our program.
• Individual and Group Counseling
  Both individual and group counseling sessions will be held several times each week. The purpose of providing counseling services is to offer each resident, (and their families, if applicable) an opportunity to work through the difficulties of acknowledging and/or coping with stresses, issues and feelings relative to existing or documented instances of abandonment, behavioral and/or conduct disorder, delinquency and/or court involvement (to include past or pending cases), the diagnosis of a developmental disability or learning disability, incarcerated parent(s), poor academic performance, any physical, emotional abuse and /or neglect, substance abuse and sexual abuse.
• Life Skills and Independent Living Development
  Using proven counseling methods, group discussions, and impromptu opportunities as they present themselves and in-house activities, Community Ventures teaches our residents the importance of making good decisions. We impress upon them how each decision, no matter how great or small, positive or negative, impulsive or calculated has, as a result, a corresponding consequence. The purpose of this aspect of programming is to develop the client’s problem-solving abilities and teach them how to work through difficulties in life as they arise.

• Education and Academic Development
  Our Program Director and Counseling Specialist serve as liaisons to the school(s) that our residents attend. Through regular contact with each resident’s teacher(s) and guidance counselor, our staff works in conjunction with the schools’ administration to help our clients reach, maintain and exceed their identified goals relative to their individual academic potential. When an Individual Education Plan exists for a client then it serves as the benchmark whereby the resident’s educational goals are set and their academic progress is measured. In cases of the existence of an IEP, the Counseling Specialist is assigned to personally oversee the resident’s growth. In-house, individualized tutorials in areas of poor academic performance are mandatory and homework assistance is provided daily during the week to each resident. A computer area is available to further provide opportunities for personal and academic growth.
• Career Development
  Age appropriate career exploration activities are provided through participation in and exposure to job fairs, vocational training, panel discussions with professionals from various careers, and structured one-on-one sessions with a designated Counselor. Community Ventures also require as part of the resident’s ISP a focused goal segment that examines opportunities for career development in areas of specific interest to the individual (age appropriate residents only).
• Social and Cultural Enrichment
  We expose our residents to a wide variety of cultural enrichment activities such as regular educational and leisure trips in Richmond and the surrounding areas, trips to amusement parks, performances at the Carpenter Center, sporting events, etc. This serves to provide our residents an opportunity to interact in the community. The clients’ ability to engage in positive and appropriate social interaction with the public in general, adults and peers alike, is assessed and documented. Functions such as these provide perfect opportunities for the staff to share with our clients’ good decision-making techniques, improve their coping skills and further develop their interpersonal skills.