Gifts to Virginia 4-H Create Pathways to Sustained Success
By Max Esterhuizen
J. Pearson wanted to do something to recognize his mother for everything that she did to raise him and his two sisters.
When John Dooley, former CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation, floated the idea of naming the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center’s Performing Arts Complex for Bernice Pearson, J. Pearson was overwhelmed by the idea.
“It was just perfect. To give back and name it after Mom because of the performing arts she did all those years, it's just a dream come true,” he said. “I’m living proof of her work in positive youth development. There is no way I would be in the position to give back to Virginia 4-H today without the efforts of my parents when I was growing up.”
The gift from J. and Renae Pearson will fund a complete renovation and modernization of the performing arts complex and leave a lasting legacy of Bernice Pearson’s impact on the youth of Virginia.
“It’s because of people like Bernice, J., and Renae that 4-H can have such a meaningful impact on the lives of our youth, and this gift enables us to influence youth for years to come,” said Jeremy Johnson, state 4-H leader.
After the renovations are complete, a second goal of the project is to provide 4-Hers at the center with hands-on learning in the performing arts.
“Performing arts technology has changed so much over the years,” J. Pearson said. “We’re putting in the technology to give youth the opportunity to get experience and training on current audio-visual equipment to give them a leg up as they begin pursuit of their careers.”
Bernice Pearson was a longtime 4-H volunteer in Fauquier County. There, she ran a traveling 4-H performing arts group called Young Dominion. The group attended many competitions – including some out-of-state. Her work gave youth new experiences and helped kick-start an interest in the arts for many of them.
Because of the Pearson’s gift, 4-H youth can run a sound system, microphones, an amplified singing and talking system, and stage lights. The center will provide multiple opportunities for youth to explore their performing arts interests and hone their abilities.
The gift also enables a lasting revenue stream for the center. The amphitheater has been available for the community to rent as an event space, but has been limited because of the available amenities. With the gift, the space's usability will dramatically expand, helping the center to raise additional money while also reaching the surrounding community in new and lasting ways.
A landmark gift from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation will help Virginia’s youth find lifelong careers in health care and life sciences.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation is helping Virginia’s youth find meaningful and lasting careers in health care by forging a partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia 4-H that will ignite a passion for life sciences.
The foundation’s $750,000 gift allows youth to gain knowledge, be exposed to life skills, have a better understanding of future careers, and craft opportunities to start a journey toward lifelong learning in a variety of fields.
Specifically, the investment enables the creation of a mobile learning lab that targets rural youth and incorporates high-quality, experiential learning in life sciences to engage learning for youth using Virginia 4-H’s renowned programming as the foundation.
“The mobile lab will serve as a foundation to continue lifelong learning for youth as they find their spark and interest in life and health sciences, as well as connect them with careers, mentors, and future opportunities,” said Erika Bonnett, a Virginia 4-H education specialist.