The Mayor’s Youth Academy (MYA) is now accepting applications for the 2014 MYA Summer Employment programs. Launched by Mayor Jones in 2010, MYA is designed to develop Richmond’s future leaders and workforce. Youth ages 13 through 19 years old are encouraged to apply. “I am strongly encouraging the city’s youth to apply for this tremendous opportunity for summer employment,” said Mayor Jones. “The collaboration between MYA and our community business partners will permit youth to develop relationships with international youth, gain valuable work experience while earning income to save or spend in our local economy, and offer the potential for full-time careers.” New for the summer of 2014, the academy is offering a MYA Junior program. Recognizing the need for earlier career development intervention, the MYA Junior offering will target middle school youth and provide them Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related experiential learning opportunities and age appropriate intro...

The City’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) Initiative is now accepting its fourth round of applications for the Love Your Block grants. The application deadline for this round is Friday, March 7, 2014. In January 2012, N2N was awarded a $10,000 grant from Cities of Service , in partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, in the form of Home Depot gift cards toward the implementation of a Love Your Block Program. Love Your Block is a tested, high-impact service strategy in which community members are engaged in revitalizing their neighborhoods one block at a time. Love Your Block aligns perfectly with three elements of the City’s Balanced Scorecard: Unique and Inclusive Communities, Community Safety, and Well-Being Sustainability and the Natural Environment. “Vibrant neighborhoods, with increased community involvement and spirit, lead to improved quality of life. Engaged neighbors are far less likely to let their neighborhoods fall into disrepair and community engagement serves as a powerful...

City of Richmond’s government offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014, in observance of Washington’s Birthday. City offices will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, February 18. As a result of the observance, all branches of the Richmond Public Libraries and all City community centers will also be closed on Monday and reopen on Tuesday.   Refuse collection will not be performed on Monday, as the City’s Solid Waste Management Division will also be closed. Refuse collection will resume on Tuesday and continue through Friday, February 21. The East Richmond Road Convenience Center and Hopkins Road Transfer Stations also will also be closed on Monday, February 17. Each facility will resume its normal schedule on Tuesday.

In early November, Mayor Dwight C. Jones presented Revitalize RVA, an economic development plan that includes a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom. The following community meetings will be held across the city for the public to attend and learn more about this plan. Third District Community Meeting with Councilmember Chris Hilbert Wednesday, February 5th, 6:00 pm Pine Camp Recreation Center, 4901 Old Brook Rd. Second District Community Meeting with Councilmember Charles Samuels Thursday, February 6th, 5:30 pm Redskins Auditorium, 2401 West Leigh Street Ninth District Community Meeting with Councilmember Michelle Mosby Thursday, February 6th, 6:00 pm Miles Jones Elementary School, 200 Jefferson Village Drive First and Second District Joint Community Meeting with Councilmember Jon Baliles and Charles Samuels Wednesday, February 19th, 6:00 pm Albert Hill Middle School, 3400 Patterson Avenue Fifth District Community Meeting with Councilmember Parker Agelasto Thursday, February 20th, 6:30 pm ...