Our Volunteer Efforts Last Fiscal Year 

Important Announcements and News

Senior Employment & Training Program (STEP). Older adults interested in finding employment in the greater Williamsburg area may learn more about this program by attending one of two free informational sessions to be held at the Historic Triangle Senior Center, 5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg. The first is June 1 at 12:30p.m. The second is June 5 at 11:00a.m. STEP is a combined effort of the Williamsburg Virginia Workforce Center (VA Employment Commission) and the Senior Center. For more information, contact Dan Phillips at 253-4738 or e-mail Daniel.Phillips@vec.virginia.gov.

New Sheriff’s Citizen Academy. Citizens of York County and Poquoson aged 21 and older are encouraged to enroll in this new citizen training. Each 11 week Academy session will meet Monday evenings for 3 hours. The curriculum includes criminal investigations, criminal law, tactical operations, jail operations, hostage negotiations, 911 communications, firearms/weapons use, hiring and training procedures, family violence, narcotics enforcement and other topics. Presenters will be law enforcement professionals and guest speakers. Each student will ride with a Sheriff’s Deputy for 4 hours. This is a free training experience. The next session is April 10 – June 19. Interested persons can call the Crime Prevention Unit at 890-3639 or 890-3642.for information. Applications can be obtained by written request faxed to 890-3649 or mailed to York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Crime Prevention Unit, P.O. Box 99, Yorktown, VA 23690. Applications also may be downloaded from the internet at www.yorkcounty.gov/sheriff

The Peninsula Medical Reserve Corps Needs You! Trained medical personnel and persons to support their efforts are needed in times of emergency omn the Virginia Peninsula. Whether the emergency is related to weather, disease, terrorism, nuclear disaster or some other cause, medical services are needed. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) needs a registry of persons to contact for help. 

Volunteer positions needed include: Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, RN & LPN, Nurses Aide, Pharmacist, Dentist, Social Worker, Clerical Worker, Veterinarian & Vet tech, Mental Health Counselor, Radio Communicator, Interpreter, Information Technology Support, Greeter and Runner. The MRC serves all Peninsula jurisdictions and needs help in all areas. Gloucester, Matthews and other regional counties are served also. Training on emergency skills will be provided by the MRC for persons interested. For more information, contact Jennifer Freeland, MRC Coordinator at 757-594-8045 or Jennifer.freeland@vdh.virginia.gov. If you are already an RSVP volunteer, let us know at 595-9037 if you register with the MRC.

Recycle Used Cell Phones. Transitions Family Violence Services can recycle used call phones of all types, including bag phones, and make money to support its wonderful programs for women and children. Used cell phones can be dropped off Wednesdays 9am – 4pm at 240 Chapel Street in Hampton. Other arrangements can be made by calling Julia at Transitions 728-0025. Phones for Transitions also may be dropped off at our office in the Mariner Building, 12388 Warwick Blvd., Suite 201, Newport News 9am – 4pm Monday – Friday except Holidays. Please call us at 595-9037 before coming by. Tell your friends about this opportunity.

Help Your Neighborhood.  Help your community by helping your neighborhood to combat crime, natural disasters and other emergencies. Your knowledge and participation can help yourself, your family and your neighbors. Learn practical ways to help through free programs like:

• Neighborhood Watch (all Peninsula jurisdictions)

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training (Hampton, York Co., Williamsburg, James City Co.)

• Citizen Corps (Hampton, James City Co.)

• Citizen Police Academy (Newport News, Hampton, James City Co.)

• Citizen Fire Academy (James City Co.)

• Contact your local government for information about additional programs. If your jurisdiction does not have one of these programs, ask why.

Health and Safety Tips

Be sure and get your FLU SHOT.  Also check  with your doctor about updating your pneumonia shot.

Vaccine to Prevent Shingles for Seniors. The Food and Drug Administration has licensed Zostavax (Merck & Co.) to reduce the risk of shingles in persons 60 and older who have had chickenpox. The vaccine helps to prevent the reoccurrence of the shingles (chickenpox) virus by boosting a person’s immunity. Shingles can appear and cause misery after being dormant for decades. The vaccine is not meant for persons on immune-suppressing drugs (including transplant patients). Check with your doctor for any possible side effects or other advisories about this new treatment.

York County Prescription Discount Card. All citizens of York County can now obtain a prescription discount card for prescriptions not covered by existing insurance. Savings average 20% nationally. This County service utilizes Caremark and the National Association of Counties (NACo). Good only at participating pharmacies. Even more savings can be realized through a mail-in service for a three-month supply. There is no enrollment or membership fee. Call York-Poquoson Social Services for how to obtain the card. Contact NACo at 1-877-321-2652  or visit https://naco.advancerx.com for more information on the program and participating pharmacies or ask your pharmacist.

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Women’s Screening Programs:

• Every Woman’s Life.  Uninsured or underinsured Peninsula women aged 40 and older may qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screenings. The Every Woman’s Life program can pay for an office visit, screenings and some additional tests/ exams if needed.  For women without insurance or ability to pay for screenings or screening co-payments. Income guidelines apply. Medicaid and Medicare recipients not eligible unless Medicare is Part A only. Williamsburg, York County and James City County women may participate. For more information, call Susan Lucas Webb (Hampton Health Dept.) 727-1172  x131 or Sotonya Motton (Riverside) 1-800-520-7006. 
  
  

• Free Pap Smear Clinic and Health Screenings for Women.   The Peninsula Health District and Riverside Cancer Services will sponsor a free pap smear screening. If you live in Newport News, Williamsburg, James County, York County or Poquoson and are age 18 to 70 you can call (1-800-520-7006) to register. The screenings will be at the Peninsula Health Center at 416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard in Newport News. Other screenings and health information will be available for Pap screening participants.

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Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Persons without insurance coverage for prescriptions may be able to get very low cost or free medications. Contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-477-2669 or visit www.pparx.org.