1. 10 Hampton Roads Gazeti December 2015 www.gazeti.org
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NewVisionunveilsfilmtohelpfosteryouthattendingcollege
New Vision mentor Michael Strother Jr. and
program coordinator Natasha Whidbee.
Artist Lori Dunn of Virginia Art With Heart,
sponsor of "Movie Night."
Intern Mark Harmon and a supporter show off
a print from the movie.
I
n late October, during its "Movie
Night," New Vision Youth Services
unveiled "Bridging the Gap," a short
film about founder Clara Wilson's
experiences helping with the daunting
problems faced by youth in foster care.
Attendees included current and prospec-
tive mentors and other supporters.
New Vision hopes the film will garner
support for its present focus,"The Extend-
ed Family Connection." This initiative
serves aged-out youths who are enrolled
in college. The program aims to help
these young people, who have no family
support system, succeed in school and
become self-sufficient by age 21.
It provides one-to-one mentors who
serve as life coaches. They help the youth
with such needs as job readiness and
how to handle job interviews, making a
grocery budget, or choosing a cell phone
plan.
And, while they're not expected to be
chaperones, "The goal is to have a caring
adult who, like an extended family mem-
ber, will provide a listening ear and be
there for them," said Mrs. Wilson. Men-
tors receive training are asked to make a
one-year commitment. Other volunteers
are also needed.
The Extended Family Connection also
serves as a bridge for these young people
in other ways. For the holiday season, a
duffel bag filled with bus passes, grocery
gift cards, and a surprise bonus gift is
donated to each student.
To help fund its various services, New
Vision is offering the community cus-
tomized 2016 calendars, wrist bands, and
framed prints from the film. Any of these
items may be ordered online at at www.
newvisionyouthservicesinc.org. Click on
the "Donate" button.
The film can also be viewed on the
organization's web site or at www.Face-
book.com/1NewVision. To inquire about
becoming a mentor or volunteering to
help with other needs: newvisionyouth1@
verizon.net.
To help support its programs, New Vision is
selling 2016 calendars and other items.
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