Community Partners of Hope

April 2 Event To Honor Staff, Volunteers Of Local Men’s Shelter

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The public is invited to join Community Partners of Hope, Inc. Saturday as it spotlights the efforts of staff and volunteers of the men’s shelter during an “end of season” gathering.

The program is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with coffee and light refreshments in the parish hall of First Presbyterian Church, according to Dr. Ron Cava, senior minister at the First Baptist Church in Henderson and Community Partners of Hope board member.

The First Presbyterian Church is located at 222 Young St., Henderson. Although the event will be held upstairs from the shelter area, attendees are asked to enter from Young Street.

“No matter what level support you have provided, we hope you will join us (as) we honor our staff and volunteers, provide an update on our services, introduce our board members, kick off the new fundraiser and share prayers for the community and the world,” according to information received at WIZS News.

Currently, the shelter operates from November through March. But if Cava and his colleagues have their way, the 365 Dream Team campaign can help to expand the time that the shelter is open.

“We’re looking for backers to sustain a year-round operation,” Cava said in a telephone interview. Cava alluded to the story of the widow’s mite and said any pledge is acceptable.

“I appreciate the people who have deep pockets,” he said, “but what really makes the world go ‘round…is a dollar at a time.”

Through pledges and contributions, Cava said he hoped that the men’s shelter would be able to operate all year.

See how you can help online at www.cp-hope.org.

 

Melissa Elliott Gang Free

TownTalk: Melissa Elliott Helps Those Recently Released from Prison

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It’s hard enough to find a job that offers a liveable wage – Melissa Elliott defines that job as one that pays at least $20 an hour. But that search becomes exponentially more difficult for those men and women who have been incarcerated and are looking to get back on their feet.

Gainful employment and affordable housing are two of the biggest challenges that Elliott identifies for the “justice-involved population” that she works with as Vance County’s case manager for the Family Resource Center for South Atlantic, a Raleigh-based agency that supports people as they transition from jail or prison back into society.

The goal of the agency is to help individuals become self-sufficient and to reduce rescividism, which she said is about 40 percent. That means that 40 percent of those who were convicted of a crime will re-offend and return to jail.

“Job placement assistance…is one of the biggest things we do,” Elliott told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk.

Elliott invited anyone interested to attend a re-entry resource fair and expungement clinic on Tuesday, April 12 at D.N. Hix Gym in Oxford. There will be employers on site who are looking for workers – some will be prepared to interview prospective employees on the spot, she said.

Last year, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington proclaimed that the city of Henderson would join the observance of April as National Re-Entry Month.

When individuals return to their families after serving sentences in jail or prison, it’s important that they receive support from the community so they can become productive members of society again. Elliott said everyone deserves a second chance, and part of her job as case manager is to “make sure that second chance is there for those who need it most…and to help the justice-involved population be as successful as they can be.”

Elliott said there are more resources for re-entry now than there have been in the past. If you have a family member or loved one scheduled for release from jail or prison in the next four months, now is the time to contact South Atlantic’s Family Resource Center to find out how they can help.

The phone number is 919.740.7950.

As for the April 12 event, Elliott said it will be a full-service resource fair, with everything from a presentation by Legal Aid of North Carolina about record expungement to financial literacy classes. There will be a food distribution, outreach services and much more.

“We want to make sure that everyone understands they can get a second chance,” Elliott said. While not condoning the offenses that may have occurred in a person’s past, Elliott said there are resources to assist those who want to start fresh and be successful.

 

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vance High School Begins Search For New Football Coach

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Last season saw the Vance Co. High School Vipers football team reach the state playoffs and were looking to more great seasons with Coach Wilbur Pender at the controls but that all changed this week with the announcement that Pender is retiring from education to spend more time with his family.  The school’s athletic director, Joe Sharrow, said players and everyone at the school was shocked and disappointed at Pender’s decision but understood his need to spend more time with his family.

It’s been the same story the last several seasons at Vance Co. High School as the last four coaches have stayed one season before moving on to another school, or in Pender’s case, retiring.  Sharrow did say that because of the football team’s success finding a new coach will be somewhat easier this off season and they hope to have someone in place before the school year is out. “There is interest from high level coaches,” Sharrow said.  “We want someone who is the right fit who will commit themselves and who will stick around,” Sharrow continued. “Where are the Wilton Basketts, the Randy Long’s, the Dave Jennings, or the Mark Perry’s?” Sharrow asked, referencing previous coaches who spent many years in their positions at Northern and Southern Vance and Vance Co. High School.

And while the school’s football program has had success this past season Sharrow is looking for a coach to build on that success. The school’s athletic programs are still recovering from the pandemic and struggled to find enough students to field teams which is only now returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Sharrow says he is now just building a team to search for the new coach which will include Principal Rey Horner. Sharrow also said the players will be consulted.  They will give him feedback on what has worked for them with previous coaches and with any luck Sharrow and his search team will find someone who is qualified and will commit to continuing to improve the Vance County Vipers football program.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for March 29, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.

Name of the Company: Vance County Department of Social Services

Jobs Available: Full Time Custodian, Business Officer, Child Support Agents, Social Worker, Income Maintenance Case Worker, Processing Assistant, Income Maintenance Supervisor and Staff Development Specialist

Method of Contact: For more information go to the county website at http://www.vancecounty.org

 

Name of the Company: Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Jobs Available: Detention Officers, Senior Maintenance Specialist and Kitchen Worker

Method of Contact: For more information go to the county website at http://www.vancecounty.org

 

Name of the Company:  Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Jobs Available:  Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper.  Full-Time.  Quick Books Accounting, Receptionist Duties, Administrative Support.

Method of Contact:  Send resume to michele@hendersonvance.org or Express Employment Professionals at robin.reed@expresspros.com

 

Name of the Company:  Turning Point Community Development Corporation

Jobs Available:  Group Leader for Children’s Summer Learning Program.  Full-Time, Temporary from June 13-August 5.  Requires an Associate Degree.

Method of Contact:  Send resume to www.turningpointcdc.org/get-involved

 

 Name of the Company:  Perry Memorial Library

Jobs Available:  Library Assistant – part-time

Method of Contact: For more information go to the Vance County website at http://www.vancecounty.org

  

Name of the Company:  Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina

Jobs Available: Chief Operating Officer (COO).  Full-Time, must live in Vance, Franklin, Warren, Granville or Halifax County.  Main office will be in Halifax County but travel to other B&G Clubs will be required.  Bachelors Degree and 3 years operations management required.  $60,000+ starting salary. Full Benefits.

Method of Contact:  Apply online at www.indeed.com or send resume to www.bgcncnc.org

 

Name of the Company: First Baptist Church of Henderson, NC

Jobs Available:  Administrative Assistant.  Full-time. Skills required are communications, publishing, data base management, creativity, general office duties.

Method of Contact: Send resume to fbchurch@fbchenderson.net

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS. Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast. This is not a paid ad.

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Vance Charter Lacrosse Makes History

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Articles submitted by Dan Sandlin

From March 27, 2022:

Knights Winning Streak Extends to 4

The Vance Charter Knights Varsity Men’s Lacrosse team had another successful week, winning 17-0 against Voyager Academy and 17-3 against Union Pines High School. This takes the Knights to a 4-4 record this season and leads the Northern Lakes Athletic Conference.

At the Voyager Academy game, the Knights took an early lead and never looked back. Leading the way was Senior Ryan Parker (4G, 6A) and Sophomore Gavyn Sandlin (4G, 2A). Junior Lucas Satterwhite had a shutout in the goal. Other points were obtained by Junior Jahlaine Scotland (2G), Freshman Caleb Towne (2G), Junior Dominick Abate (1G), Senior Davis Suther (1G), Sophomore Adam Bobbitt (1G), Freshman Noah Wagner (1G), Senior Wyatt Yount, (1A), Junior Sam Frazier (1A) and Freshman Jackson Gordon (1G).

The Knights continued their game-winning streak at home on Friday, hosting Union Pines High School out of Moore County. This non-conference game started strong, with the Knights up 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Union Pines was blocked from adding anything to their score the rest of the evening by the Knights Goalie Lucas Satterwhite (Junior). Leading scorers for the night were Senior Ryan Parker (7G, 4A), Sophomore Gavyn Sandlin (4G, 4A), Senior Wyatt Yount (3G, 1A). Other points came from Junior Jahlaine Scotland (2G), Junior Christian Bean (1G) and Junior Sam Frazier (1A).

Following Friday’s game, this puts Parker and Sandlin with a combined 100 points during the first 8 games of their season. Parker and Sandlin are both ranked in the top 10 for 1A/2A/3A Goals and Points and in the top 15 for Assists according to MaxPreps.

The Knights are on the road this week, traveling to Roxboro Community School on Tuesday and to Union Pines High School on Friday.

From March 20, 2022:

Vance Charter Lacrosse Makes History

Vance Charter School Men’s Lacrosse is off to a record-breaking start. The team, currently ranked first in their conference, captured a win on Friday, March 18. The team took on Roxboro Community School at home with nine of the Knights putting points on the board. Goals came from Sophomore Gavyn Sandlin (12), Senior Ryan Parker (7), Senior Wyatt Yount (3), Junior Christian Bean (3), Senior Davis Suther (1), Senior Jacob Seaman (1), Sophomore Adam Bobbitt (2) and Freshman Jackson Gordon (1). Assists throughout the game came from Ryan Parker (7), Gavyn Sandlin (6), Wyatt Yount (2), Davis Suther (1) and Freshman Caleb Towne (1). The team pulled away with a 30-1 victory over the Roxboro Bulldogs.

The game started strong with a 12-0 lead in the first quarter. At that time, a running clock began as second quarter yielded continued success for the Knights with another 7 goals on the board. Third quarter the team added another 4 points and Roxboro gained their sole goal by Nate Stovall. The Knights finished strong adding 6 more goals in the 4th quarter. Jacob Seaman carried the face-offs, winning 26 of his 30 attempts throughout the game. This success allowed the Knights to keep the ball on the offensive end.

The Knights scored their 100th point of the season during the game, a first in the program’s history. Sophomore Attackman, Gavyn Sandlin, captured the state record for most points in a single game with 12 goals and 6 assists. The previous record of 16 points in a single game was held by Gabriel Barker from West Stokes High School. Senior Attackman Ryan Parker’s contribution of 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists), ties him for 9th in the state for points in a single game.

The Knights are led by Head Coach Dennis Sandlin and Assistant Coach Dan Sandlin.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Kicks Off Season With Apr. 23 Spring Fling

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will kick off the 2022 growing and selling season with Spring Fling on Saturday, April 23.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said the event will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will mark the official opening of the 2022 market season.

Vendors and producers will be on site with a variety of hand-crafted and homegrown items for sale.

Ayscue said the farmers market regular hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays following Spring Fling until Wednesday, June 1, when the market is open two days each week during the summer. The summer hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ayscue said there are several Twilight Markets planned as well: Tuesday, June 28, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

Other dates include:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 17 – mid-week market ends
  • Saturday, Nov. 19 – Handcrafted Holiday Market, 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 17 – final sale day for 2022

 

Find and follow Vance Regional Farmers Market on Facebook to stay up-to-date on events and schedules or phone 252.438.8188.

TownTalk: Fore! VGCC 38th Annual Golf Tournament Ready To Tee Off

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In her new role as executive director of the Vance Granville Community College Foundation, Tanya Weary is preparing for the annual golf tournament, which has raised more than $1.3 million for the college over 37 years.

This year marks the 38th annual event, and Weary told John C. Rose on Monday’s Town Talk that registration is open now until April 15. Visit www.vgcc@edu/golf to sign up to play or to become an event sponsor. The tournament takes place on the afternoons of May 9 and May 10 at Henderson Country Club.

Weary, previously VGCC’s dean of business and industry solutions, said the biggest adjustment for her in her new role is that she no longer is overseeing programs and developing new programs for VGCC.

Now, as the Foundation’s executive director, her role involves making sure that VGCC has the money to continue offering programs to students and in the larger community.

When the college recently transitioned its endowment program to a nonprofit foundation, it opened up doors that allow VGCC to apply for grants, she said.

Providing scholarships for students is just one way that fundraisers like the golf tournament contribute to the success of the college.

“Our sponsors say they want to be supportive and see our students do well,” Weary said, adding that sponsors help “make college a reality for some of our students who may not be able to afford it without the support of the foundation. Sponsors make that happen.”

Sometimes, the financial needs go beyond the traditional tuition and books, she said. VGCC has funds that can help students in emergency situations, too. “It’s only because of sponsors that we can do that,” she said.

It’s not too late to sign up for sponsorship opportunities, Weary noted. Gupton’s Services is the presenting sponsor again this year, Weary said.

Other sponsors include:

 

  • Charles Boyd Chevrolet
  • Food Lion
  • Glen Raven Mills
  • Golden Skillet
  • Kilian Engineering
  • Mast Drug
  • R. Williams
  • Oxford Prepatory School
  • Select Products

Phone 252.738.3264 or email foundation@vgcc.edu to learn more.

 

 

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TownTalk: Career Day At LB Yancey School

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Students at L.B. Yancey Elementary in Henderson got a chance to interact – virtually – with a range of professionals during last week’s Career Day at the school. They also got the chance to share their career aspirations by dressing as doctors, nurses, civil servants and there was even one funeral director.

The theme for the day was “I Have a Voice – My Career, My Choice,” according to Alicia Eccleston-Clarke, event organizer. She said Career Day offered students the chance to see just how many career options await them. “Exposing them to the career opportunities available to them will hopefully serve as a way to motivate students to work hard and to do their best in school,” she said.

The staff and students were joined by a team of top-notch professionals who sparked much interest and excitement as they joined via Zoom to share details about their respective careers. The student were able to pose questions to their virtual guests. The day’s activities culminated with a student parade through the school hallways to show off their career day attire.

Fourth-grader Nathan Durham summed up Career Day this way: “It was so amazing! I wanted to be a soldier or cop or firefighter or anything! I couldn’t choose so I dressed as a funeral director.”

Guidance counselor Connie Jones and Cherie Dixon-Rose, multi-grade classroom leader at the school, were part of the organizing committee. Principal Dr. Shannon Bullock and the whole school staff worked together to make the Career Day a meaningful day for the students.

From the decorated bulletin board displays to the banner and décor, kids were excited from the moment they walked into the building. “I was overjoyed to see the level of participation from all stakeholders. Students being able to directly communicate with professionals in their desired careers will inspire them to continue working hard to achieve their goals,” Bullock said. Her comments were from a press release by VCS Director of Communication And Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

The following individuals participated in Career Day:

  • Estena Bradley – nurse Ppactitioner in the areas of Gynecology and Obstetrics from the Center for Women’s Health, Oxford;
  • Vernon Turner – on-air meteorologist for Spectrum News 1, Raleigh;
  • The Hon. Caroline S. Burnette – district court judge with the State of North Carolina;
  • Charles Gunby – chief executive officer of CG Project Management, Electrical, and Construction, LLC;
  • Michael Rice, P.E. teacher/track & basketball coach,Vance County Middle School,
  • Carlos Gunby – firefighter and paramedic EMT;
  • Camisha Gavin, realtor with CC & Co. Real Estate;
  • Jason Brown, former NFL player, author and current full-time farmer with First Fruits Farm.

 

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