What does healing look like for South Richmond?

Southside Richmond Center for Rest & Healing

VACV is developing a “healing hub” in South Richmond.

This project is a groundbreaking approach to holistic community healing, designed in response to the direct feedback from over 300 local neighbors, collected between 2022-2024.

Neighbors are telling us they want a space that supports both physical and mental health in a safe, inclusive environment. A design team launched in summer 2024 to define the purpose, and top programs and services to be offered there. This healing justice initiative, creates space for restoration so that individuals can reclaim their radical imagination and collective power.

Timeline

2017, The creation of a Healing Hub is a direct ask form the Neighbors in the southside, through our Intentional listening process.
2022 and 2023, we surveyed over 300 people to get input about this center and our community needs.
2023, independent feasibility study done by the Facilities Resource Center (FRC) to find suitable locations.
2024, created a design team of 20 neighbors
2025
- We pursued the land acquisition for the old Summerhill school. We develop relationships with the school board and the city Council. However despite starting communication engagement around this property, the school district is not ready to move forward with offloading this property.
- At the same time, the new T.B. Smith Community Center opened, which created an opportunity for the old T.B. Smith building to be used in new ways. We moved quickly. With our strong partnership with Parks and Rec and began the conversion about renting and renovating this property
2026
- VACV Acquired a 2 year lease from the old TB Smith so Community Center Located on Ruffin Road in Davie Gardens. This site will be transformed into the Healing Hub pilot site.
- This is a huge win! Though this rental property can not fulfill the full vision of the Healing Hub it is an opportunity to begin pilot programming and develop a proof of concept to share with funders, partners, and neighbors. Stay tuned for more!