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2021 Mission Report
2021… The year of a new normal, ups and downs, and navigating the unexpected.
COVID continues to push its way through the world, but we get up and push back, and say “we can do this,” and this year…
- We supported people with brain injury and their caregivers with virtual and in-person support groups, so people felt less lonely and could talk openly and honestly about their experiences and feelings without being judged.
- We connected people to resources, to wellness events and to each other through peer networks to help them take care of themselves and each other, and ease their feelings of isolation and worries about finding the right professionals and programs to make the best recovery possible.
- We raised awareness of brain injury by calling attention to and educating magistrates, behavioral health providers and domestic violence programs to the link between brain injury and the populations they serve, and asking for more agencies to screen for brain injury at intake.
- We successfully advocated for laws and funding that made it easier for those we serve to access programs and services.
I encourage you to read through this annual report and see examples of the very real ways our support, connections, and advocacy made a difference in people’s lives. If you are interested in learning more about any of the specific programs, feel free to click the links and explore our website to learn more about us.
Yes, it’s been a tough two years, and we have tough times ahead of us, but the support of our dedicated members, generous donors, mission partners and charitable partnerships, agency and foundation funders, provider colleagues, and our volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors, Advisory Groups and Speakers Bureau made it all a whole lot easier.
Together, we can do more, and we want to stay connected with you to make more happen.
We have helped families navigate
the unexpected for 39 years.
And 2021 was no different.
We Supported
Brain Injury Survivors, Families, and Caregivers through our
Information & Referral Program
Two Camp Bruce McCoy Day Camps
Support Groups
Support in Action
When Frank first came to camp, he wasn't sure what it meant to survive a brain injury. After his experience at Camp Bruce McCoy, Frank learned not only what surviving was, but found a community and comfort in the special group of people.
"Thanks to everyone involved with camp for helping me learn many life lessons, grow, build countless friendships, and form memories that will last forever.”
– Frank, Camper
Program Highlight:
BIAV received national recognition as the recipient of the 2021 Alliance for Information and Referral Systems' Innovation in Operational Effectiveness Award
Learn more about this award here!
We Connected
newly injured Virginians, supporters, and their families through
Letters
Webinars
Online Support Communities
Advisory councils & Speakers Bureau
Connection in Action
David suffered a severe TBI in 2019 when he was hit by a truck in a school zone crosswalk. While at the hospital, David's family received information about BIAV. They reached out us in 2021 for information and connection.
After talking with us, his mom told us "the materials and additional information were helpful and useful."
They've been very thankful that BIAV is here "for what comes next."
We Expanded Awareness
- BIAV conducted a public awareness campaign for Brain Injury Awareness Month; ran 350,000 ads along the I-81 corridor in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Roanoke
- BIAV's website had nearly 50,000 visitors last year, our monthly e-newsletter reaches 3,500 people, and our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter platforms have a combined total of 5,000 followers (and growing!)
If you're not already one of them, join us!
Awareness in Action
In 2021, BIAV launched our first podcast series - Brain Talk. Brain Talk's goal is to share stories of individuals, families, and caretakers in the brain injury community.
This podcast enabled BIAV to reach new communities through storytelling on a new site - Spotify! Keep an eye out in 2022 for more episodes and stories by subscribing.
Program Highlight:
This year, BIAV partnered with the Virginia Department of Health to develop a "Screen and Intervene" project that provided women with brain injury as a result of domestic violence resources to help them.
We Advocated
We advocated for
Virginians
- We led advocacy efforts that resulted in $1.2 million in new funding for community-based brain injury core safety net services
- Facilitated the passage of two bills that expanded service eligibility for persons with brain injury
- Trained 240 individuals with brain injury, family caregivers, and other stakeholders in effective self and systems advocacy techniques
Advocacy in Action
Kelly's daughter was entitled to Social Security Benefits, but obtaining those benefits turned into a two-year ordeal that resulted in repeated denials. Finally, in frustration, Kelly decided to take action and apply what BIAV had taught her about advocacy. She reached out to her Congressional Representative and explained her situation and got them involved. As a result, Kelly's daughter received all entitled payments, including all of the owned back payments.
"Never give up and advocacy pays off!"
-Kelly, Caregiver
We're Here for What Comes Next
If you are interested in being a part of what's next for BIAV, check out our membership options and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.
FY21 Financials
(July 2020 - June 2021)
Expenses
Total Expenses
$825,152
Revenue
Total Revenue
$893,988
BIAV is proud to have the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Click the button to view our profile, which includes additional financial information.
Our work would not be possible
without the generosity of our supporters.
Our Partners
Thank you to the organizations who provide year-round support of our mission, events, and programs.
Our Champions
We gratefully acknowledge those who contributed $250 or more to our mission in FY21.
Aegis Environmental, Inc.
Alexandra Watson
Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen P.C.
Allstate - The Giving Campaign
Amicus Visual Solutions
Anonymous
Barbara Carter
Breit Cantor Grana Buckner, PLLC
Carol Peterson
Dr. Charles Dillard
Dan Raper
Dana Larson
Darcy Carroll
Debbie and Ramon Ybarra
Derek O'Neal
Dr. Nathan Zasler
Hands On Your Health, LLC.
Harris, Hardy, & Johnstone, P.C.
Hatcher Crenshaw
Injured Workers Law Firm
Joseph Radford, Jr. and Kelly Radford
Joseph Wallace
Kelli Gary
Laura Smiley
Lauren Daugherty and Kathleen Fletcher
Mary and David Tognarelli
Medical-Rehabilitation Resource Consultants, Inc.
Meg Kelly
Michael Bunda
Michael Weber
NeuroRestorative - The Mentor Network
Patrick and Anne McDonnell
Richmond Area Bicycling Association
S.B. Cox, Inc.
Scott and Melissa Bucci
Sheltering Arms Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
Spencer Koch
Supakunya Edmonson
The WaWa Foundation
The Wimpfheimer Foundation, Inc.
Tree of Life Services, Inc.
Trish Smith
Virginia T. Dashiell Charitable Foundation
Willard Milby
William Moore
Yael Israel
Become a champion in 2022