Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Empowerment (CARE) Talk on Substance Abuse Disorders

Saturday, October 7th 2017, from 5-10pm, at the Virginia Historical Society (428 North Boulevard, Richmond VA), a number of organizations oriented to addiction recovery are holding a Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Empowerment (CARE) Talk, on the subject of substance abuse and its solutions in Virginia. Speakers will include Attorney General Mark Herring, gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie, Anne Moss Nimocks Rogers, Michael Zohab, Richard Jones, Thomas Bannard, and Dr. Sarah Scarbrough.

The event appears to be free. See the link for more information.

Richmond Mayoral Candidate Debate on Criminal Justice Issues

Thursday, October 13th 2016, from 7-9pm, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Richmond, VA) (815 East Grace Street), Richmond Justice is holding a mayoral debate on issues of criminal justice. All candidates will attend. From the organizers:

“Moderated by University of Richmond historian Julian Hayter, the debate will push candidates to distinguish their views from one another as they tackle tough questions about the justice system in Richmond. Individuals previously profiled by Richmond Justice will ask the candidates questions on a variety of topics: juvenile justice, homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, and the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face in securing employment and stability. The public will also have a chance to submit questions.”

Richmond Justice (richmondjustice.org) is a year-long project examining the justice landscape in Virginia’s capital city. Each week, the site reveals a new portrait and story about a Richmonder whose life is shaped in some way by the justice system.

Free, open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, see the link.

RVA Mayoral Recovery Listening Forum at the McShin Foundation

Monday, September 19th 2016, from 5:30-8pm, at 2300 Dumbarton Road, Richmond VA, the McShin Foundation is hosting a forum for people to talk to Richmond’s mayoral candidates about mental illness and substance abuse disorders affecting the community. All eight candidates will be present, and Carol McDaid (co-founder of the McShin Foundation) will moderate. From the event description:

“We will be opening up our audience to anyone in our community who is interested in changing the way mental health and addiction services are handled in Richmond. The audience will have the opportunity to share with the candidates what they are looking for in our next mayor on this topic. For one hour, audience members will be commenting and asking questions while mayoral candidates listen and prepare a response.”

The second hour will go to the candidates – each will have an equal amount of time to respond to what they heard. At the end of our forum, we are asking each audience member to make a campaign contribution to the candidate of their choice, based on who they believe will best improve existing recovery systems available in Richmond to treat substance use disorder and mental health disorders.”

Free (except for the requested candidate donation at the end). Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP as an audience member or to request a press pass, contact Taryn Kelly at  tarynk@mcshin.org or 804-310-4831. See this link for the Facebook event page.