Finding Purpose: Tyler’s Journey at the Mary and Frances Youth Center
When you step into the Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) at Virginia Commonwealth University, you’ll likely be greeted by a calm and friendly presence behind the front desk: Tyler. A first-year student at VCU, Tyler has been an integral part of the MFYC team, helping to keep the center running smoothly while growing personally […]
Reflecting on Impact: Council for Community Engagement’s End-of-Year Gathering
As we close out another impactful year at VCU, the Council for Community Engagement held its annual end-of-year meeting to reflect on the powerful work across our University and look ahead at what’s next. At the heart of our gathering was a 6-minute video highlighting the Division of Community Engagement’s accomplishments over the past academic […]
Student Engagement Celebration: Honoring the Heart of Our Work
On April 25, the Division of Community Engagement hosted a special Student Engagement Celebration at the Mary and Frances Youth Center to honor the students who have helped power our work throughout the year. We proudly celebrated our Community Engagement Student Council Members, interns, work-study students, and student workers—21 students in total—who have played a […]
Uplifting Communities Through Urban Agriculture: Malique Middleton’s Entrepreneurship Residency with the DaVinci Center at the Health Hub
The intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact is embodied in the work of Malique Middleton, a recent graduate of VCU’s Master of Product Innovation program at the DaVinci Center. With a passion for urban agriculture, environmental justice, and food access, Middleton has taken his expertise to the VCU Health Hub at 25th through an […]
Answering a Community Need: Training Youth Development Professionals with RichmondYDN
The Richmond Youth Development Network (RichmondYDN), housed at the Mary and Frances Youth Center in the VCU’s Division of Community Engagement, is committed to fostering high-quality youth programs by ensuring that youth development professionals receive the training, resources, and connections they need to succeed. As a direct response to a community need, RichmondYDN hosted it’s […]
Advancing Community Engagement: Insights from the Latest Council for Community Engagement Meeting
The recent Community Engagement Council meeting brought together members to discuss ongoing initiatives, updates, and strategic goals for strengthening university-community partnerships. The meeting covered a range of topics, from data tracking efforts to award recognitions and institutional engagement strategies. Opening Remarks The meeting began with a reminder of the university’s commitment to the Anchor Mission […]
Update on VCU’s Carnegie Reclassification Process: Advancing Community Engagement at Every Level
As we continue to move forward in the process of reclassification for the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, we are excited to share updates on where we stand and the progress we’ve made. This milestone reflects VCU’s ongoing commitment to being a leader in community engagement—an aspect that is deeply woven into the fabric of our […]
Honoring the Dream: A Look Back at MLK Week 2025 at VCU
We are coming down from a high after a successful MLK Week at VCU. The week, which began planning in August 2024, was a week and a half of coming together to not only celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but also to continue the work needed to advance his vision. The […]
Applications Now Open: Positive Youth Development Seed Grant 2025
The Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) in VCU’s Division of Community Engagement is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Positive Youth Development (PYD) Seed Grant! This funding opportunity provides $2,000 for community partners to develop innovative youth programming in collaboration with the Youth Center. About the Seed Grant […]
A Beloved Community Walk: Celebrating MLK Day at VCU
On January 20, the VCU campus came alive with hope, kindness, and community spirit during the MLK Kindness Walk, a collaborative event led by VCU’s Division of Community Engagement and the Befriend nonprofit organization. This initiative, co-sponsored by Kelsey Jones, M.S., Assistant Director for Civic and Community Engagement at the Office of Student Leadership and […]