Career and Transition Services (CATS) at St. Joseph’s Villa is a workforce preparation program for Richmond students to better prepare them for life after high school. CATS has spent nearly 10 years helping students with academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges, as well as those with developmental disabilities, envision and attain productive futures. Students participating in CATS have the opportunity to connect with local professionals and college students through our career mentoring program.

Key partnerships include mentoring and service learning with VCU, tours, financial literacy, and a Shakespeare acting program at The University of Richmond, and horticulture and gardening opportunities at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Other community partners include Shalom Farms, Capital One, Dominion Energy, Altria, E & R Sales, Apple, Old Navy, Richmond Animal Care and Control, FeedMore, the Virginia Cliffe Inn, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Participants learn life skills, build communication strategies, strengthen their self-esteem, create community connections, and get a boost growing successfully into their futures.

 CATs is proud to report that just since last year, 132 students participated with the support of 40 community partners.  Additionally, VCU has committed over 3000 hours of mentoring since partnering up with St. Josephs!

Are you interested in learning more? CATS is always looking for new partners and volunteers!  Their students benefit from hands-on training at local businesses, mentors who model positive work behavior, guest speakers, and horticulturalists. To find out more about volunteering with CATS at St. Joseph’s Villa, please contact Kathy Perun, Director of Community Engagement, at 804-521-5577.