Introducing The Majella Project: Improving the Lives of Children by Offering Hope to Pregnant Women Facing Substance Use Disorders

The James Barry-Robinson Institute (JBRI) has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families for over 90 years. With a long-standing commitment to providing support and resources, JBRI has played a vital role in creating positive impacts on communities. The Majella Project, an innovative and compassionate initiative, is set to launch on May 20, 2024. This intensive outpatient program is specifically designed to support pregnant women who are facing a substance use disorder so their unborn children can be born in a safe and stable environment. By partnering with experts in the field, The Majella Project aims to provide expectant mothers with the necessary resources, guidance, and skills to overcome addiction and embrace motherhood with optimism. Pregnancy is a transformative and vulnerable period in a woman’s life. For those struggling with substance use disorders, the journey becomes even more complex. The Majella Project recognizes the unique needs of these expectant mothers and seeks to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to their recovery and well-being. The program will offer a range of services including substance abuse recovery using the evidence-based curricula from The Change Companies including:

• Women in Recovery
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Trauma in Life
• Strengthening My Parenting Skills

Through a combination of counseling, therapy, education, and support groups, participants will gain the tools and knowledge to address their addiction head-on. The Majella Project will also prioritize the physical and emotional health of the mothers and their babies, offering classes, hosted by experts, in prenatal care, nutritional guidance, and financial resources. These services will include, but are not limited to, lactation consultancy, car seat safety, and sleep safety.

The Majella Project will offer a supportive network that empowers women to break free from the cycle of addiction and build a brighter future for themselves and their children. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that journey begins before birth,” said Tim Webb, JBRI Outpatient Director. “By providing comprehensive support and guidance, we are confident that The Majella Project will make a lasting impact on the lives of these courageous women and their children.” The Majella Project is actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with healthcare providers, community organizations, and individuals dedicated to supporting pregnant women with substance use disorders. Together, we can create a community of care and compassion that transforms lives. For more information about The Majella Project and how to get involved, please visit JBRIVirginia.org, contact Vickie Butts at VButts@jbrivirginia.org, or call JBRI Outpatient Services at (757) 524-5585.

It is a bittersweet day at The Barry Robinson Center as we bid farewell to Mr. Willie Linn, a beloved member of the team for over 34 years. Willie’s retirement marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of the Center’s residents. Throughout his tenure, Willie has been an integral part of the recreation therapy department, bringing joy and laughter to the lives of countless young individuals. Whether it was organizing team-building activities, leading outdoor adventures, or simply lending a listening ear, Willie has had a profound impact on the lives of the residents he worked with. He instilled in them a sense of hope, resilience, and the belief that they could overcome any obstacle in their way.

Willie led the Scouting Troop, providing guidance and mentorship to the young scouts. Through community service projects and leadership development, he nurtured their potential and helped them discover their own strengths and abilities. Many of those scouts went on to achieve great things, thanks to Willie’s unwavering support and belief in their potential. However, Willie’s impact is not limited to the residents and scouts alone. He has a knack for recognizing the talents and potential of his fellow colleagues, and he took it upon himself to help them find their path in the field of behavioral health. Through his guidance and encouragement, he inspired and mentored numerous employees, helping them grow both personally and professionally. Willie’s ability to see the best in others and empower them to reach for their dreams is truly remarkable. Willie is more than just a colleague; he is a friend, a confidant, and a source of inspiration for all who have the privilege of knowing him. His warm smile, contagious laughter, and genuine care for others touch the hearts of everyone he encounters. He has a way of making people feel seen, heard, and valued, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for both staff and residents alike.

As the news of Willie’s retirement spread throughout the center, there was a collective sense of sadness and loss. The void left by his departure will be difficult to fill. But amidst the sadness, there is also a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the incredible impact he has made during his time at The Barry Robinson Center. Willie Linn is not just an employee; he is a guiding light, a beacon of hope, and a symbol of the transformative power of compassion and dedication.

His unwavering commitment to helping others find their path, his ability to uplift and empower those around him, and his immense heart will forever be cherished and remembered. As Willie embarks on this new chapter of his life, the residents, the staff, and the entire Barry Robinson Center community wish him nothing but the very best. They know that his impact will continue to live on in the countless lives he has touched and the wings he has given to so many. Willie Linn will be deeply missed, but his legacy will forever be a part of the Center’s fabric, a reminder of the incredible impression one person can make on the lives of others.

In the quiet corners of a West Coast home steeped in the echoes of service and sacrifice, a family stands at a crossroads, navigating the delicate balance between love, duty, and the well-being of their military-connected teenager. As anxiety and depression cast shadows over their daughter’s path, Mom and Dad, two veterans, one disabled, who have weathered the storms of service together, find themselves grappling with a decision that carries the weight of their sacrifices and the hope for a brighter future. For their teenage daughter, raised in the embrace of duty and honor, the demands of military life contribute to her anxiety and depression, casting a veil of uncertainty over her once-vibrant spirit and love of school.

As the family comes to terms with the challenges that lie ahead, the prospect of residential care at The Barry Robinson Center emerges as a beacon of hope – a sanctuary where their daughter can find solace and the support she needs to navigate the complexities of her mental health journey.

In the embrace of family therapy, a space is carved out for healing and understanding, where the wounds of service-related trauma and the commitment to military life are laid bare. Through shared conversations and moments of vulnerability, Mom and Dad confront the complexities of their roles as parents and veterans. They delve into the depths of their shared experiences, and the family finds comfort in the power of connection, recognizing that healing is not a solitary journey but a collective effort that weaves together the threads of love, sacrifice, and resilience. In the safety of family therapy sessions, walls crumble and barriers dissolve, paving the way for open communication, mutual understanding, and a renewed sense of unity in the face of adversity.

The decision to consider residential care is not merely a practical choice but a profound act of love rooted in the unwavering commitment of parents to ensure their child’s well-being. The dedicated team of professionals at The Barry Robinson Center, many of whom have a personal connection to the military or a deep understanding of military culture, welcomes each new resident with a renewed sense of hope and, through the various therapies at the Center, works tirelessly to encourage positive outcomes and healing.

The Barry Robinson Center’s unwavering commitment to military families is rooted in the organization’s ninety-year mission of improving the lives of children and their families. The Center has welcomed residents, ages 11–17, from 47 states and 7 countries with the goal of helping those families that stand to preserve our freedom and safety.

To learn more about The Barry Robinson Center please visit BarryRobinson.org

Norfolk, Virginia – Founded downtown in 1856, the Hospital of St. Vincent dePaul, more recently known as DePaul Hospital, was more than “just a hospital.” It was a ministry of hope and mercy to patients and their families; it was a place of joy when new family members were born, and a place of loving care for those living their final moments. Thus, it is not surprising that, when this cherished institution closed in 2021, so many wondered what would happen to the property.

During the last ninety years, The Barry-Robinson Trust, an organization founded by Norfolk businessman Frederick J. Robinson, has been driven by its Catholic heritage and mission to improve the lives of children and their families. Currently, the organization’s programs include The James Barry-Robinson Institute, providing residential treatment to military-connected youth, foster care services for Hampton Roads children and teens, as well as an outpatient program for teens and young adults facing substance abuse challenges. The Trust also established Saint Patrick Catholic School in 2005, with the mission of cultivating future generations of courageous and compassionate student leaders. Barry-Robinson has now launched Next Step to Success (NSTS) as a bold initiative to tackle the high rate of intergenerational poverty in Norfolk.

Currently, NSTS is serving 70 youth next door at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, providing transportation to attend its afterschool and summer “experiential learning” programs that encourage youth between the ages of 13 and 18 to develop the character strengths and higher self-expectations necessary to achieve their full God-given potential. In just its third year, Next Step To Success has outgrown its current location. So, when the opportunity arose to acquire Virginia’s oldest Catholic hospital property, to be repurposed to serve the future generations of this City’s youth, it  seemed providential.

The new home for Next Step to Success will be called the St. Vincent de Paul House. It will take approximately two years to build and will incorporate a beautiful campus of “learning houses”, a gymnasium, dining hall, gardens and a regulation-size soccer field, dedicated to serve up to 300 future “Success Stories” from Norfolk’s most underserved communities. Rob McCartney, CEO, states, “The team at The James Barry-Robinson Institute is honored to continue its service to the Norfolk and greater Hampton Roads community with programs that lead with compassion and hope while giving great consideration to the memory of DePaul Hospital and the countless families impacted by their unwavering commitment to care.”

Next Step to Success

Next Step to Success is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers teens a wide range of activities that will inspire and propel them to become more confident and capable versions of themselves. Through highly intentional programming, teens will learn strategies to maximize their chances for success. Life skills and character strengths such as resilience, grit, growth mindset, learned optimism, self-control, teamwork, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making are central to our program. Next Step to Success is an affiliate of The James Barry-Robinson Institute and the Barry-Robinson Trust.