Hanover Yoga & Wellness

04/08/2026

If your loved one needs Project Lifesaver and lives in Hanover County 📞 Contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6110
📧 Or reach out directly to Sergeant Troy Payne at twpayne@hanovercounty.gov

💙 Project Lifesaver: A Life-Saving Success Story 💙

On April 3rd, deputies responded to a call for a missing juvenile with non-verbal autism who had run from his home into a wooded area.

Time is critical in situations like these. Within minutes, deputies established a perimeter and deployed drone resources. Fortunately, the child was enrolled in our Project Lifesaver Program and the initial deputies on scene were equipped with a Project Lifesaver tracking receiver—and that made all the difference. Upon acquiring the transmitter signal, deputies located the child’s clothing and shoes in a swamp. The child was then located unclothed, approximately two miles from the residence, within 23 minutes of our arrival.

Because of Project Lifesaver, this situation had a safe and swift outcome.

Project Lifesaver is a program we offer free of charge to families with loved ones who may be prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome, or autism.

Participants are provided with a small, watch-sized transmitter, and our deputies are equipped with specialized tracking equipment to quickly locate them if they go missing.

This program significantly reduces search times—and more importantly, saves lives.

If you have a child, parent, or grandparent who may benefit from this program, we strongly encourage you to register.

📞 Contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at 804-365-6110
📧 Or reach out directly to Sergeant Troy Payne at twpayne@hanovercounty.gov

We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable—and programs like Project Lifesaver International help us do just that.

04/07/2026

CALLING PARENTS & FAMILIES! Join us for Stronger Together: Fostering Connections in our Autism Community.

📌Topic: Building & Supporting Communication Skills
📅Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
⏰Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
🔗REGISTRATION LINK:
https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/webcasts/series/stronger.cfm

Every child has something to say! Join us for an essential session on fostering communication in young autistic children. Whether your child is just beginning to communicate or expanding their skills, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and helpful resources.

Hear Real-World Perspectives:
🟢AAC at Home: A mother’s personal experience teaching AAC to her young child.
🟢Growing Together: A parent and their college-aged child reflect on their journey from early AAC use to spoken language.
🟢Classroom Insight: A preschool teacher shares how she uses core vocabulary and AAC daily.
-----------------
The Autism Center for Education (ACE) is part of the VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center () and the VCU School of Education ().

04/06/2026

There’s a new kind of “market” coming to Richmond, one where instead of buying things, you show up to give something back.

On Saturday, May 9, the first Richmond Volunteer Market will bringing together an impressive lineup of local organizations and Richmonders looking for ways to get involved. Hosted at Gallery5, the event will run from 1 pm to 5 pm.

“This is a new kind of ‘market’ where local organizations connect with Richmonders who ‘shop’ for ways to support their community, all while enjoying a bite to eat, your favorite drink, and a local musician,” said organizer .

Expect live music, a food truck, a full bar, and some of Richmond’s most impactful organizations doing meaningful work across the region, from mutual aid and housing to youth programs and environmental efforts. The following local organizations are featured in the first event:

Girls for a Change ()
Better Housing Coalition ()
Southside ReLeaf ()
Happily Natural Day ()
RVA Repair Cafe ()
Beyond Boundaries ()
RVA Community Fridges ()
ReEstablish Richmond ()
RVA Light ()
Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project ()

“We started this initiative to bring down the barriers to supporting the causes you care about. Whether you’re new to Richmond, want to do more in your community or volunteer regularly, this event is for you,” said .

Richmond Grid is proud to serve as a media sponsor for this first-ever event.

📸 Logo by

04/06/2026

On this day in 1977, the 504 Sit-In began. Judy was a key leader in this historic 26-day protest (the longest take-over of a federal building in US history) to demand that Section 504 regulations of the Rehabilitation Act be signed.

Learn more about the sit-in, Section 504, and Judy’s contributions through her book Being Heumann (Apple TV+ film adaptation coming soon), the documentary Crip Camp, and other resources at judithheumann.com/resources
Image Description: Judy Heumann speaking passionately to Joseph Maldonado (Regional Director of HEW) in a room full of protestors with various disabilities

04/03/2026

Virtual and free 🙏💜

03/27/2026

Georgie passes Rio’s Law.

Virginia State Police VirginiaDMV The Arc of Virginia Autism Society Central Virginia Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

03/24/2026

VirginiaDMV

Save the date!!

Project LOTUS will be hosting their next toolkit series on April 14th!

In Toolkit #5, you will learn about the Virginia DMV Blue Envelope program. This program aims to increase safety for people with autism during traffic stops. More details below and go here to register.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zQDLpquyS4O7GnKb2eTw6Q #/registration

03/19/2026

Sarah will be at Hanover Arts and Activities Center tomorrow, 3/20 for 10:30am Gentle Yoga + Sound Meditation ✨

03/19/2026

TONIGHT 🎥 🌟 ✨

We are so excited for tonight’s session and hope you will be able to join us! Not registered yet that’s okay there is still time!

TOPIC: Developmental Disabilities (DD) and the Sibling Journey

DATE: Thursday, March 19 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. (Eastern)

DESCRIPTION:
Siblings share a special bond! For people with developmental disabilities, their siblings are not just best friends—these siblings might help make important life decisions, or even become caregivers. Learn about planning options, resources, and supports that can help siblings navigate life's transitions!

The IFSP Regional Councils are proud to feature two powerful guest presenters who will share their journeys as advocates for their siblings: Brianna A. TenBrink, MBA from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and Kaitlin McNamara, JD from The Sibling Leadership Network. After these presentations, a panel of siblings will also share their perspectives so everyone can understand what sibling support can look and feel like at different stages of life.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• People with developmental disabilities of any age who are interested in learning more about their caregiver's or sibling's role and involvement;
• Anyone who has a sibling with a disability;
• Families of children or adults with a developmental disability diagnosis;
• Anyone who is in a caregiver role for their loved one with a disability;
• Families seeking emotional support from others who have experience navigating services;
• Professionals who coordinate care and who may link individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to community services and supports (including support coordinators/case managers, providers, and educators); and
• Anyone interested in this topic!

REGISTER HERE: http://ifsp.tny.cc/march-19

SIGN UP FOR A REMINDER: If you would like an email reminder the week of the event, please sign up using this link: surveymonkey.com/r/ifsp-march19

ACCESSIBILITY: We are proud to feature remote conference captioning through Virginia Relay! If you need an additional accommodation to participate, please email us by Thursday, March 5th (or as soon as possible!): IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov

QUESTIONS: IFSPCommunity@dbhds.virginia.gov

SHARE OUR FLYER: https://ifsp.tny.cc/march-2026

[Image description: White and blue flyer with green accents advertising the IFSP Coordinated Regional Council Meeting featuring Brianna A. TenBrink from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and Kaitlin McNamara from the Sibling Leadership Network.]

03/12/2026

Great information for individuals with disabilities!

Join us for an informative webinar focused on Virginia Medicaid Waivers and how they support individuals with disabilities.

This session will provide an overview of Virginia’s key waiver programs, including the CCC Plus Waiver (Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus), and the three Developmental Disability Waivers, the Family and Individual Supports Waiver, Community Living Waiver, and Building Independence Waiver.

Participants will learn:
✅Who qualifies for each waiver
✅Services and supports covered under each program
✅How to apply and navigate the screening process
✅ Tips for families, caregivers, and professionals

Register today to gain the tools and insights you need to confidently navigate Virginia Medicaid Waivers ➡ www.ascv.org/signup