We Choose Hope

August: Oh, how time flies — A year in MHC

Keller anniversary photos

It’s been a year — a year since I joined the Harvest Foundation. As the old adage says, oh how time flies.  Over this past year, I’ve shared with you the activities happening at Harvest: We created a local investing impact strategy; Began our equity journey Assessed our communications efforts; and most recently, Began planning […]

July: We need to hear from you

workgroup meeting

Pictured above: A look at a workgroup meeting held in the foundation’s conference center. (Note: Vaccinated individuals had the option to forgo masks during the meeting.) As I’ve been mentioning the past few months, Harvest is undergoing a strategic planning process.  We’re now at the point in our strategic planning process where it’s crucial to […]

June: A Roadmap to a More Equitable Harvest

roadmap to equity

By Kate Keller President, The Harvest Foundation Over the past several months, I referenced Harvest’s equity journey.  Our board and staff undertook an intensive learning experience in the Fall of 2020.  The conclusion of that process was the creation of our Equity Roadmap- the plan for us to integrate and institutionalize equity into our work.  […]

Harvest supports SPCA expansion in Martinsville-Henry County

agee stone smart ruby red

Martinsville, Va. — The Martinsville-Henry County SPCA received a $15,000 Pick Up the Pace! grant from The Harvest Foundation to expand its services to operate a spay and neuter clinic designed to provide basic veterinary care for shelter animals. It will also serve residents with financial barriers and bolster the education of future veterinarians and support staff. […]

Creating Workforce Foundations in Martinsville-Henry County

workforce workshop

Martinsville, Va. — Building a strong childcare system in Martinsville-Henry County affects more than just the lives of parents and their children — it’s a Workforce Foundation for the community. When every parent has access to quality and affordable childcare, employers have a larger hiring pool to grow their businesses. Quality childcare increases the number […]

School board approves new contract for superintendent

Sandy Trayer

The Henry County School Board unanimously voted this morning during its monthly board meeting to waive the 30-day notice requirement for votes related to the superintendent’s contract (VA Code 22.1-60(D)) and extend the contract of Division Superintendent Sandy Strayer. The new agreement extends Strayer’s tenure with the district through June 30, 2025. Mrs. Strayer began […]

May: ‘What we are learning’

what we are learning

As we progress through our strategic planning process, Harvest is assessing the impact of our current plan. And with our equity lens, we are looking deeper into who is benefiting from the progress in our community and who isn’t. There were three pieces of data that stood out to me and forced a deeper reflection. […]

Hodges to Be Patrick Henry Community College New President

Dr. Greg Hodges

RICHMOND – Dr. Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, announced today that Dr. James “Greg” Hodges has been selected to become the next president of Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC). Hodges’ selection ends a national search that attracted 64 applicants. “Greg is an impressive higher education leader who has earned a reputation for hard work […]

Martinsville Bulletin: New executive director wants to lift up Uptown Martinsville

kathy deacon

Pictured above: Kathy Deacon (Martinsville Bulletin Photo) By Holly Kozelsky A new executive director and funding are poised to bring Uptown Martinsville back as the destination people want to be. And it all starts with a survey that asks local residents what they want to see in uptown Martinsville. Kathy Deacon, the new and first […]

Harvest issues RFP for new website build

website under construction image

The Harvest Foundation has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to develop a new website that is visually compelling, simple to navigate for end-users, and easy to update for system administrators. Inquiries concerning this RFP should be emailed to Latala Hodges, director of communications, at lhodges@theharvestfoundation.org, no later than May 28, 2021. Proposals should be submitted […]