Margaret Keightley has been a longtime SCAN Board member, supporter and volunteer. She has helped in so many ways, big and small, over the years and is a treasured part of the SCAN community.

How did you first get involved with SCAN?

My experience with SCAN began as a volunteer for the Family Support Program in 1998 or 1999 (that was a long time ago!) I provided childcare for the parents who were in the parenting classes. I did this for about 5 years until I had my own daughter in 2004. A couple of years later, I joined the board, and here I still am!

What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role?

My mother used to always tell me, "to whom much is given, much is expected." I grew up in a loving, middle class household, but my mother also used to say, "we are rich with love." I believe that every child should have that experience, so I should do whatever I can to improve the lives of children in our community. Although I have served as Board Chair in the past, now I'm just a happy board member.

What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN?

Jeanine and the SCAN staff do an incredible job of keeping the board educated and up to speed about the work SCAN is doing. In my years on the board, I have witnessed the growth of SCAN's impact on the lives of children. The more I know, and the more I see the impact, the more I want to stay involved and be a part of something that is making a difference in children's lives. 

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

I wish people knew how much SCAN does in our community. It is impossible to convey SCAN's work in an elevator speech -- there's just too much to say. So I guess I really wish somehow more people could tour the CAC or the Circle Preschool or really understand the difficult work the SCAN staff does every day.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

This is a tough one -- there are so many! Working with the staff over the years -- such a dedicated, selfless, talented group -- has enriched my life and made me a better person.

You served as the honorary chair of the 22nd Annual SCAN Progressive Dinner and Auction this year, When did you first get involved with the Progressive Dinner?

I like to tell the story that I have been to all but one Progressive Dinner, and that was because my Ob/Gyn put me on bedrest four days before the second PD. After a couple of years of attending, I was asked to be on the committee, and the rest, they say, is history. I chaired the PD twice before this year and hosted the Appetizer portion twice as well. Clearly, I love the event!

Do you have any favorite memories or highlights from past Progressive Dinners?

The second time my husband and I hosted the Appetizer course, it snowed. We had a tent, and it got fairly dark in the tent, as it was the first week of April. As soon as the live auction began, the generator lighting the tent and providing the sound ran out of gas, but my husband was there at the ready with a gas can and saved the day! 

Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?

Professionally, I am the Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation. As a volunteer, I am involved with Cristo Rey Richmond, St. Joseph's Villa, the UVA Richmond Regional Alumni Board, and the Virginia Parents Coalition. Those are my activities and hobbies for the most part, but my family and I love to travel, and I am an avid reader.

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

Hmmm...maybe that I have the Golf Channel on much of the time in the background? 

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you wish I had?

I would just underscore that I can never say enough about the expertise, kindness, and dedication of the SCAN staff, led by Jeanine Harper. It is truly inspiring

Margaret Keightley and Jeanine Harper at the 2006 SCAN Progressive Dinner

Thank you to everyone who helped make SCAN's 22nd annual Progressive Dinner and Auction a success! The event raised over $300,000, which includes 4 scholarships for SCAN's Circle Preschool Program.

Thank you to our wonderful Appetizer Home hosts Robin and Larry Moncol for opening their home for SCAN. Thank you to our honorary event chair, Margaret Keightley, emcee Zach Daniel, Kim and Mike Lindsey and the dedicated committee and volunteers who devoted so much time, energy, and talent to make the event possible. And thank you to all those who donated auction items, bid in the auction, and made financial contributions to advance SCAN's mission.

SCAN Circle Preschool Program Impact Video

Learn more about SCAN's Circle Preschool Program and the impact it has had on children and families through interviews with past staff, SCAN's Executive Director, and a Circle Preschool Program Caregiver.

Community Resilience Block Party

This Saturday, May 4, 2024

Join Greater Richmond SCAN and Trauma Informed Community Networks across Virginia for the fifth annual Resilience Week Virginia May 5-11! SCAN leads and convenes the Greater Richmond Trauma Informed Community Network and is spearheading efforts around Resilience Week.

Visit the Greater Richmond SCAN’s Resilience Week VA Events page to see some of the activities taking place that week across Virginia. Events include a block party, virtual and in-person trainings, and more!

SCAN'S Board of Young Professionals is

Now Accepting Applications

Are you between the age of 22 and 35 and looking to get more involved with Greater Richmond SCAN? Our Board of Young Professionals is accepting applications for membership for our 24-25 year through June 1!

This group of kind and passionate individuals serves as advocates for SCAN, coordinates events for children and families that come to SCAN for services, raises funds and

increases awareness about our programs, and participates in

social events and volunteer opportunities.

Find more information and download the application on our website or email Sarah at smersereau@grscan.com with questions or to express interest.

SCAN Holds 18th Annual Prevent-a-thon

Thank you to everyone that participated in the 18th annual Prevent-a-thon!

Over 225 people were trained during this weeklong that included public trainings and private trainings with partners such as Henrico DSS, Henrico Mental Health, Children’s Home Society, Assisting Families of Inmates, First Home Care, Greater Richmond Fit for Kids, Richmond Parks & Rec, Liberation RVA, RPS Head Start, SPARC, Children’s Museum of Richmond, Oak Hall Childcare, and Longwood University. 

Did you know SCAN offers Stewards of Children training year round for organizations or groups? It is an impactful training for schools, sports teams, church groups, book clubs, or for anyone who interacts with or cares about children in our community.

If you are interested in bringing this 2.5-hour training to your organization or group, please fill out the following form so that we can contact you about scheduling a date, time, and location that is convenient for you. Virtual and in-person options are available.

Request a training here

Richmond CASA Honored with Serve Virginia Award

Richmond CASA was honored as a Serve Virginia Honor roll recipient in January 2024. The Serve Virginia Honor Roll celebrates the valuable contributions of volunteers across the Commonwealth. In recognition of the service provided by over 2.2 million Virginians, the Serve Virginia Honor Roll spotlights the volunteers that serve their communities in a variety of ways, promoting quality of life and creating a lasting impact for others. 

Read the full story on the Serve Virginia website.

Richmond CASA and the Serve Virginia honor was also highlighted in a recent commentary piece in the Virginia Mercury on National Volunteer Week.

EveryDay Strong (In-Person)

May 6, 2024

6:30-7:30pm In-Person at North Park Library 8508 Franconia Rd, Richmond, VA 23227

EveryDay Strong equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children, aged 8 to 18. The program promotes a simple, research-based framework that any caring adults can use to help build a sense of safety, connection and confidence in young people.

Register for this in-person training at https://forms.gle/Ft3WnDeW7CBrWp5x7

Be SMART

May 7, 2024

12:00-1:00pm EST via Zoom

As part of our Resilience Week programming, Greater Richmond SCAN is excited to host guest speaker Carrie Sitterson, the Richmond Be SMART co-lead. Be SMART is an educational campaign for adults that shares practical ways to help keep children safe from gun injuries and death. Whether you're a gun owner or know someone who owns a gun, there is a role for everyone in the conversation around secure gun storage. Be SMART is an acronym and stands for: Secure guns in homes and vehicles, Model responsible behavior around guns, Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in homes, Recognize the role of guns in suicide, and Tell your peers to be SMART. To learn more, visit www.besmartforkids.org

Register Here

EveryDay Strong (In-Person)

May 7, 2024

6:30-7:30pm In-Person at Gayton Library, 10600 Gayton Rd, Richmond, VA 23238

EveryDay Strong equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children, aged 8 to 18. The program promotes a simple, research-based framework that any caring adults can use to help build a sense of safety, connection and confidence in young people.

Register Here

EveryDay Strong (In-Person)

May 8, 2024

6:30-7:30pm In-Person at Fairfield Library 1401 N Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23223 

EveryDay Strong equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children, aged 8 to 18. The program promotes a simple, research-based framework that any caring adults can use to help build a sense of safety, connection and confidence in young people.

Register Here

Trauma-Informed Supervision

May 9, 2024

12:30-2:00pm EST via Zoom

Trauma-informed supervision explores the role of a supervisor in supervision, how to create a psychologically safe supervisory environment, and how to identify and offer support to staff experiencing vicarious trauma.

Register Here

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

May 21, 2024

1:00-3:00pm EST via Zoom

This training provides a foundational learning experience around the topics of trauma and trauma-informed care. We will define trauma, discuss the many types of trauma/adversity, explore the impact of trauma on the brain and behavior, introduce resilience, and discuss SAMHSA’s 4 Rs of trauma-informed care. Throughout the presentation, we will share useful tools and techniques.

Register Here

Resilience Screening

May 23, 2024

11:00am-12:30pm EST via Zoom

Resilience is a one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress.

View the official trailer here.

Register Here

Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals

May 29, 2024

2:30-4:00pm EST via Zoom

This training will help participants identify symptoms and warning signs of traumatic stress as well as learn the differences between three common trauma exposure responses: secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. We will discuss strategies for responding to trauma exposure and provide resources that professionals can use to mitigate the impact of trauma exposure and improve wellness.

Register Here

Self-Care and Wellness

June 6, 2024

12:00-1:30pm EST via Zoom

This training will help participants develop an understanding of how stress and trauma affect our state of well-being. We will explore wellness and self-care practices and tools that help promote emotional regulation, compassion, empathy, and calm in our environments. In addition, we will examine ways to create healthy boundaries to establish safe and positive relationships with the self and with others.

Register Here

Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

June 11, 2024

11:00am-1:00pm EST via Zoom

 This training will provide a brief review of trauma and its impacts as well as introduce the 7 Cs of building resilience. Participants will learn about adverse and positive childhood experiences as well as strategies for building individual and community resilience.

Register Here

*Some of these trainings are eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) from the National Association of Social Workers. Check SCAN's training page for details.