Looking to give back? Spend this summer as a mentor! 

January is National Mentoring Month, and Richmond's Office of Community Wealth Building has a way for local organizations to celebrate: Become a partner for the YouthWorks RVA summer program!

The City's Youth Engagement Services (Y.E.S) works year-round to recruit community partners to host or hire Richmond's young people for six-week internships over the summer.

Program Coordinator Erika Love is deeply committed to the success of the program. In fact, she spent three summers as a youth intern herself back when the program was called the Mayor's Youth Academy!

"All my placements were meaningful," Erika shares, "but it was during my third summer, when I interned for the City in the DCAO's office, that everything shifted. That experience changed the trajectory of my life. I grew up in Fairfield Court, and without programs like this, I'm not sure what my path would have looked like. I carry that with me every day when I'm working with young people."

The program's success each year depends on having a solid roster of community organizations and City agencies who are ready to welcome and support our youth. Erika says organizations can apply to host-they work with their intern, but the person is paid through the City's Y.E.S funding-or to hire. When organizations hire interns directly, it frees up program funds to support even more youth and gives interns a more hands-on, immersive work experience.

Whether an organization chooses to hire or host, every intern gains more than a placement. They receive career advising, meaningful exposure to professional environments, and hands-on learning that helps turn potential into confidence and direction. Supervisors, in turn, are equipped with the tools to mentor, guide, and support the next generation of the workforce with intention.

"It's about connection," Erika says. "This generation is different in all the best ways. When we are willing to meet them where they are, create space for real learning and exposure, and truly listen, we don't just prepare them for work, we help shape their future and see lasting impact in their lives."

Erika shares that she's often seen these internships lead to part or full-time work for some of the program participants. These pathways, she says, are what community wealth building is all about. "Our goal is to help people build wealth in every aspect and to drive solutions that expand opportunities. We cannot forget that youth are a part of the population who need to be part of this bigger project."

If you're ready to be a mentor and help shape the future of our youth, you can apply to host or hire by February 13. Email Erika at [email protected] to learn about your options!

Fun fact: One of Erika's most influential mentors still works at the City! "One of my first mentors was Carla Childs, and now I get to call her a colleague and a friend. When I work with our youth, I want to be the person that Carla was for me."

Every year before the Virginia General Assembly meets, Richmond City puts together a list of legislative proposals. This "legislative agenda" helps our state partners know what policies the City may need. It gives them some tools to advocate for us, and it helps our policymakers prioritize their work during the session. Want to know what recommendations we made this year? Keep reading, or explore the full legislative agenda document to learn about other policy priorities--including work to reduce gun violence, fund RPS, improve recovery and healthcare services, and get equal pay for public defenders, among others--and our regional partners.

Legislative Request #1: Inclusionary Zoning

What is inclusionary zoning? These programs make sure that low- and moderate-income housing options are represented in future housing development projects. This legislation would grant Richmond the authority to use new tools to get more affordable housing units built as Richmond grows.

Legislative Request #2: Long-term Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP)

What is LOOP? A LOOP is a tax relief program that can keep tax bills stable and predictable by "locking in" a property's assessed value at a capped amount. Currently Richmond and other Virginia localities can't set up a program like this. This legislation would advance work to give localities like Richmond the authority to protect the housing affordability for certain long-term residents through property tax relief.

Legislative Request #3: Anti-Rent Gouging

What is rent gouging? When a landlord changes a rent steeply, which can often force tenants to move out. Anti-rent gouging programs can prevent someone from increasing the rent by more than a certain percentage over a given period of time. This legislation would giving local governments the authority to establish programs that would limit abusive rent increases.

Budgetary Request #1: Water Treatment Plant

The ask: Richmond has requested $40 million in state assistance for both Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028 for drinking water infrastructure improvement.

The reason: Upgrading Richmond Waterworks is critical for keeping our drinking water reliable and safe. Our ten-year plan for improvements will cost about $1.3 billion. State support would jumpstart this important work.

Budgetary Request #2: Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)

The ask: Richmond has requested $100 million in both Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028 to improve the city's sewer system.

The reason: When our old sewer system gets overwhelmed during heavy rain or other weather events, that overflow impacts waterways like the James River. Updating this system requires ongoing state funds to meet the full cost of the plan, which is over $500 million.

Holiday Heroes: Trash Collection in the City of Richmond

Star Rowland, Ramon Singletary, and Christopher Brown will tell you immediately that their jobs are primarily about communication. "Trust plays a huge factor," Chris explains, and Star agrees. "You make a bond with the folks on the truck."

As a trash collection driver, Star's role is to get collectors like Ramon and Chris to the next site safely and to be an extra set of eyes while they load up the truck.

A day in Trash Collection

A workday starts earliest for drivers, especially during cold weather. They check the vehicle and warm it up so that everything is ready to go for the collectors. Then they're off, running a different route each day of the week. They can spend 5 or 6 hours on the truck early in the morning before they bring all the trash back to the transfer station. There, everything gets loaded onto a tractor trailer and goes to the landfill.

There's even more to load up during the holidays. The team notices more trash, and more food waste in particular means more animals. "When I see collectors start rushing, I know there's an animal in the can," Star says. Ramon and Chris have encountered raccoons, squirrels, rats, and even a snake or two on their routes!

Animals are just one of the hazards a Solid Waste team encounters on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists trash collection as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.

"The only way trash collection works is if everybody is watching everybody," Ramon says. "Our lives are on the line every day."

Solid Waste teams are trained and certified in safety strategies, but keeping our trash collectors safe should be a community-wide effort. Here are some simple things you can do to help collection teams gather your trash quickly and safely.

• Drive carefully around collection vehicles. Drivers are working hard to keep their collectors safe, and their lines of sight are limited. Support the safety of our workforce by slowing down and keeping eyes open for collectors when you see a truck.
• Leave out the dangerous stuff. Most cans have a sticker listing items that can't be thrown away, like gas cans, propane tanks, and hazardous chemicals. Some of these items can damage a truck or cause explosions when they're compacted, and collectors have had chemicals like bleach spray out onto their uniforms. Check out disposal options for those items through the East Richmond Road Convenience Center.
• Bag your trash. The team says that when loose trash goes into a can, wind can send it flying. It's also more likely that an animal will get into the refuse. Tie your bags closed before dropping them into your can. "We're trash collectors, but we shouldn't have to clean up after folks," Star says.
• Place the can at the edge of your property on collection day. It can be unsafe for collectors to walk through a property to get a can, and it slows down an already tight schedule. Check your collection day and make sure cans are ready to go that morning. If you have mobility challenges that make moving your can difficult, you can review the City's Back Door Service policy to see if you're eligible.
• Reduce the weight of each can. When lids are regularly open and overflowing, water can get in and weigh down trash. Same with bulk items; the truck tippers can snap off if they lift a can that's too heavy. Order another can by calling 311, and make sure your larger items go to bulk collection instead.
• Read your notes. When collectors notice an issue with your can, they'll often leave a green or orange ticket on top of the can. If you spot a colorful card, take the time to read it. Most often, the collectors are trying to help someone replace a broken can, which is quick and free. The team says it's rewarding when they come back the following week and see a new can. It means someone read their message and followed the guidance!

A few small habit changes from residents-and a little more awareness of the people who take on this vital role-can make a big positive impact on a collection team's workday. And a little more awareness of the people who take on this vital role helps us all keep our neighborhoods clean. "You gotta keep trash on schedule," says Ramon. "It keeps society running."

What's the best part of trash collection work? 

The kids! The students on Chris's route like to hear the horn honked each week, and Ramon shouts out the little girl on his route who's named their truck Wilbur.

Dear Richmond,

After 100 days as Mayor Avula’s appointee as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, I remain excited, encouraged, and focused on delivering an even more vibrant Richmond. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mayor Avula, the Richmond City Council, staff, the business, philanthropic, and faith-based communities, regional partners, and the many Richmonders I have< had an opportunity to connect with across the City, for allowing me the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth’s capital.

The first months that follow an appointment bring a flood of unexpected demands, and how time gets managed during this window of time will shape our collective effectiveness for years to come. The first 100 days are often thought of as a sprint, but instead, with Mayor Avula’s guidance, we have used this time to methodically set long-term patterns, build trust, and strengthen core capacities. The Avula administration has created an aggressive agenda focused on putting the necessary infrastructure in place to govern a rapidly evolving city.

With that said, fiscal sustainability, infrastructure, education, and public safety are always at the forefront of government service. Despite an array of historical challenges, signs of progress are everywhere. In the pages that follow, you will see documented signs of that progress, as well as details on the Avula administration’s initial analysis focused on fiscal sustainability, improved operations, continued improvements in public safety, and affordability issues. The first 100 days solidify efforts to build a foundation.

In partnership with our Mayor and the Richmond City Council we are taking action to deliver a world-class city where everyone matters, setting a solid foundation benefitting generations to come. At a time when cities across the country are navigating uncertainty ranging from housing pressures to shrinking federal support - Richmond has a choice: fold to challenges or build the future we deserve. My first 100 days as Chief Administrative Officer have crystalized that we have the elected leadership, staff capacity, and the support of Richmonders to choose the latter.

• Download the 100 Days Report

In service,

Odie Donald II
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Richmond

RACC wants you to foster fail this Thanksgiving

Are you looking for a cat to cuddle during your post-Thanksgiving food coma? How about a dog who likes to jog for an early morning turkey trot?

Richmond Animal Care and Control has got you covered! Every Thanksgiving, they host a Thanksgiving foster program for residents who are staying put in the City over the holiday. Bonus points if you're planning to "foster fail" or ultimately adopt the pet you agree to foster.

RACC Director Christie Peters says this is one of her favorite programs every year: "We know that every year, some folks are spending Thanksgiving alone or away from family, and we have animals who are spending Thanksgiving alone." She explains that the program also helps shelter staff rotate off to spend some of the holiday with their loved ones while showering a little extra affection on the animals who stay behind.

Even if you can't foster this Thanksgiving, Christie wishes more people knew that RACC is a part of our city's public services. Part of their work in recovering stray animals, behavior assessment, and fostering and adopting is rooted in their charge to preserve public safety. November and December see an uptick in stray animals arriving at the shelter, either because people call with safety concerns or because folks drop animals off.

No matter the time of year, here's how you can help RACC fulfill their mission:

• Reunify before reporting. Christie says that while RACC should be your first call if you come across a sick, injured, or aggressive animal, if you find a friendly stray pet, your first step should be owner reunification. "If you're going to be an active rescuer, take steps to connect with the owner first," she says.
• Consider a RACC animal when you're looking to adopt or foster. On the weekend of November 22 through 24, Spencer Trucking is covering all adoption fees at RACC-it's a great time to get out and meet your next furry pal!
• Keep RACC in mind on Giving Tuesday. The RACC Foundation is the non-profit that supports RACC's work. Donating to the Foundation can help with emergency medical care, volunteer coordination, and even a new adoption center, so that the shelter can care for even more animals who need it.

Stay up to date on all things RACC by following the shelter on Instagram (@racc_shelter) or Facebook, or by subscribing to their monthly newsletter-they're all filled with all the cute animal photos you could want!