Patricia describes the position she was in before coming to Calvary like being in a tornado. Her life had been derailed by domestic violence, and she plunged into depression. “Going through that put me in a dark place,” she said. “I needed stab…

Every Friday afternoon in Calvary’s Life Skills, Education and Art Program (LEAP), women can participate in a class called “Art Works.” Some afternoons women busily work on watercolor paintings. Other days, they may be creating miniature sculpt…

By Schwanna Cockerham-Qualls, LPC, MA More than half of the women living at Calvary Women’s Services have a history of domestic violence, whether they have directly experienced violence or witnessed it in their families. Unhealthy relationships are…

September is National Recovery Month and this year’s 25th anniversary theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out.” Schwanna Cockerham-Qualls leads individual and group therapy sessions, and offers a reflection on the National…

On Monday we welcomed health care professionals and volunteers for the Fall Health Fair, where women had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about health issues that matter to them. Some of the topics discussed during the day included me…

National Recovery Month celebrates its 25th anniversary this month. Organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this year’s National Recovery Month theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach…

During the month of May, advocates and activists come together to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month as a time to draw attention to mental illnesses and to encourage those who need support to seek it out. Over one quarter of American adults hav…

“The SAMHSA paper comes amid increasing scrutiny of the ability of America’s health care system to handle issues of mental illness.” Nearly 1 in 5 Americans Suffers From Mental Illness Each Year (Newsweek) “In the year since revealing his sec…

“’It really changes your perception of the problem of homelessness and the people who end up being homeless,’ said Cooper.” Anderson Cooper: How I see Homeless People Now (CBS) “Studies estimate that the city’s affordable housing stock ha…

“They said that ongoing efforts to reform Medicaid in the commonwealth should be given time to bear fruit before expansion is considered.”  Va. House Members Say No to Medicaid Expansion (Washington Post) “The president called on Congress, bus…