UMFS Tidewater

10/01/2026

We see you, Dustin!

When Dustin isn't leading children and teens through horticulture lessons at the greenhouse on Shineforth's historic Richmond campus, you may just spot him out and about in the community assessing agriculture.

Dustin is a longtime guest judge at the State Fair of Virginia, and he was repping Shineforth during this year's event.

09/29/2026

At Shineforth, we believe in the importance of helping children stay connected to the people, stories and relationships that are part of who they are.

Deborah Burton, Vice President of Community Based Services, shares why kinship care is deeply rooted in our culture and our work — and how those connections can help children understand not only where they are, but where they came from.

We’re proud to celebrate kinship caregivers this month and remain committed to strengthening those connections every day.

09/29/2026

Happy Birthday, Shineforth!

It's been exactly one year since our organization reintroduced itself to the community as Shineforth Child & Family Services. It's been exactly one year since we transitioned from UMFS to Shineforth, and we're still beaming with excitement.

Click here for a look back at our internal brand launch: https://www.shineforth.org/blog/happy-birthday-shineforth/

09/25/2026

Named for our founding year, Shineforth’s 1900 Society honors donors who choose to include Shineforth in their long-term giving plans, through a will, a life insurance policy, a gift of stock, or a retirement plan beneficiary designation.

Today, we're inviting our community to help write the next chapter of a 126-year legacy of impact. Joining the 1900 Society is a way to make sure the light you've helped us carry keeps shining long after today.

Want to learn more about joining? Visit https://ow.ly/BfvN50ZRoRA or reach out to Associate Director of Development Julia Bell directly at 804.533.2947.

We'd love to talk with you!

09/21/2026

Shineforth is so grateful to continue partnering with the Langley for Families Foundation, whose generous grant support is advancing our mission in the Tidewater region. LFF funding supports the children and families we work with directly, allowing us to be the unwavering champions they deserve by providing tailored support and transformational experiences for families to make memories together.

Thank you Langley Federal Credit Union for collaborating with Shineforth to multiply our impact, year after year.

09/17/2026

We were thrilled to welcome The Wild Institute, Chris Heeter back to Shineforth today for our first Speaker Series of the year, held in Firefly Hall on our Richmond campus.

Through stories from the wilderness, sled dogs and decades of leadership experience, Chris challenged us to think differently about how we show up for ourselves, our teams and the people we serve.

One message that stuck with us: “Being wild means having the courage to bring the gift of all of who you are to all of what you do.” — Chris Heeter

Thank you, Chris, for helping us start this year’s Speaker Series with curiosity, connection and a little more wild.

09/16/2026

Tune in for a message from Shineforth's Nina Marino in celebration of National Kinship Care Month.

When extended family step in to help raise relatives, it's called kinship care. Kinship care is a great option for many children in foster care, and Shineforth is grateful for all the extended family and fictive kin who open their hearts and homes. Shineforth is also grateful for the opportunity to work with state lawmakers and mission-aligned partners to enhance kinship care at the system level.

To learn more about kinship care and the efforts Shineforth is making at the legislative level, visit Shineforth.org/blog.

09/15/2026

“There’s nothing lost by getting information. It starts with that.”

For nearly 20 years, foster parent Johanna Schafer has opened her home and her family to children who needed someone in their corner.

Along the way, fostering has shaped her entire family and given her children a chance to grow up understanding something bigger:

“Life is about more than just us.”

Johanna joined Shineforth’s Melani Ferrer on WTKR News 3 Coast Live to share her family’s foster care journey, what fostering has meant to them, and why taking the first step can be as simple as learning more.

There are more than 5,500 children and teens in foster care in Virginia, including approximately 1,000 right here in Hampton Roads.

09/10/2026

A big thank you to the team from Salem Web Network for spending time on our Richmond campus! Not only did they roll up their sleeves to help with outdoor projects around campus, they also generously donated the mulch and materials needed to get the job done.

We’re grateful for community partners who give both their time and resources to help make Shineforth a welcoming place for our children, families and staff.

09/09/2026

Welcome to The Spark, a new monthly series that shines a light on the great things happening at and around Shineforth. At the beginning of each month, Shineforth President & CEO Nancy Toscano will share a short audio message with the our community. The content of the message will be new every month, but the question will always be the same: What Sparks You?

This isn’t a rhetorical question. We sincerely want to know! So, what are we waiting for? Leave us a comment and let us know what sparks you. Full episodes available on our blog.

https://www.shineforth.org/blog/out-of-curiosity-what-sparks-you/