Virginia’s former First Lady Anne Holton will visit the Roanoke Valley in early May as a special guest at an event to raise awareness and funds to support local programs that work with young adults who are aging out of the foster care system.
Hollins University President Nancy Gray will host the Evening with Anne Holton event at her campus home on May 10 to benefit DePaul Community Resources’ Independent Living Program and Virginia’s Community Colleges’ “Great Expectations” Education Program for Foster Youth. Both of these organizations provide resources and programs for at-risk youth from the foster care system.
Foster care was Holton’s primary initiative when her husband, Tim Kaine, was Governor. As First Lady, she traveled throughout Virginia seeking to improve the foster care system and develop community partnerships and resources to help foster children. Holton, a former juvenile and domestic relations court judge, also established “For Keeps,” an initiative designed to provide more opportunities for older children in foster care, primarily through strengthening family placements.
“Anne has made a tremendous impact on the state of foster care in Virginia, and it is an honor to host her visit to our area,” says Gray. “I believe it is our responsibility as a community to support and invest resources to give all youth, especially those at risk and those without strong families, a better chance to lead successful adult lives. DePaul Community Resources and Great Expectations provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable young people in our community.”
The event will take place at Gray’s campus home from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $30 for individuals or $50 for couples, and can be purchased at www.depaulcr.org or by contacting 540.265.8923.
Years ago, Anne Holton wrote a personal letter to my Girl Scouts. OK, maybe her staff may have written it, but at least she answered us while other public figures did not.