Metropolitan Day School to Beautify With Grant

The Metropolitan Day School of Associated Educational Services of Virginia has been awarded a $750 grant in the Beautification and Community Greening Category.  The Keep Virginia Beautiful 30 in 30 Grant Program focuses greater resources and attention on organizations and individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education.

The students and staff of Metropolitan Day School of AES in Richmond wish to beautify the landscape of Brook Haven Assisted Living Facility by providing the residents, staff, and visitors with a brand-new healing garden.  Metropolitan Day School is an intensive, highly structured school tailored to meet the needs of students with learning disabilities and emotional disturbance.  Their population of students receives individualized instruction in small group settings and has access to a comprehensive array of services designed to address their physical, emotional, social and educational needs.  This grant will allow them to install a much needed “healing garden” that will provide healing for mind, body, and spirit.  Research has shown that spending time outside in a garden has a very positive affect on a person’s emotions and improves their sense of well-being.  This healing garden would provide an escape from stress and a positive environment for residents, visitors, and staff of Brook Haven Assisted Living, in addition to providing the special needs students with a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of giving back to their community.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of thirty grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 in three different categories:  Beautification, Litter Prevention, and Recycling.  These grants are made possible by KVB partners – Capital One, Waste Management and Lowe’s.