Phase II of Envision Richmond, 8th Grade Capstone, Begins

As the second phase of Envision Richmond, Collegiate School’s Capstone program for 8th Graders, students this week continued their connection with the Richmond-area nonprofit organizations they learned about last fall.
Now in its sixth year, Envision Richmond seeks to foster collaboration, empathy, creativity and problem-solving techniques within students so that they are better equipped to improve the world around them.

In October, the entire 8th Grade spent time with more than 30 local nonprofits across the city that address a range of issues including food insecurity, lack of green spaces, homelessness, pediatric health and mental health awareness. The students assessed their assigned organization’s needs and designed a project aimed at fulfilling that need.

As a continuation of the program, the "Green Space" team of students visited 6PIC Innovation/Groundwork RVA and helped the organization with gardening needs. Group members for "Teens with Mental Health Issues" went shopping, then delivered items on the wish list for the Virginia Treatment Center for Children. Rachel Reynolds, program manager at the treatment center, was so appreciative of these items, said Laurie Shadowen, Middle School Humanities teacher and Envision Richmond coordinator.

“The second phase of Envision Richmond is important because it's a way for our students to give back to the people that they met in the fall and round out their last year in Middle School by demonstrating responsible citizenship,” Mrs. Shadowen said. “It's another opportunity for our 8th Graders to practice essential 21st-century skills of collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving as they develop and implement a simple and meaningful outreach plan for those in our community.”
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