by John Reid

Recently, the PW Perspective spoke with Sentara’s Community Benefit Project Manager Ashlie Watts on their partnership with the Prince William County Community Foundation as the award-winning organization prepares for its upcoming Back to School Event.

Watts spoke about what it meant to support the PWCCF as a sponsor?

“We are excited to be a diamond sponsor for the PWCCF’s Back to School Community Event,” she said. “We help families prepare for a successful school year by connecting them to valuable resources, activities, and community support that promote academic success at no extra cost to them. What we do that’s equally important is the vaccine clinics over time at local schools, which is far more convenient for them, and we’re glad to offer that.”

Given the importance of having vaccinations before the school year, she discussed how they have reached so many families. “It’s important because Prince William County school students need to have an SA vaccination before they start the school year in August,” she said. “By providing these vaccines at their schools, the students can receive them on time. Last year, about 2,000 students received their vaccinations on time, so we’re excited to do this again.”

Although she is new to the position, Watts talks about the growing relationship with PWCCF. “I have been in my position for about a year, but our relationship with Dr. Gattis as an organization predates that,” she said. “We know the importance of partnering with community organizations, because we can’t do it alone. Coming together helps us to both reach our community partners.”

She emphasizes how Sentara’s programs have benefitted the Prince William community.

“Sentara Cares grant-making arm, which strengthens communities by advancing health equity through Sentara’s programs and through grants and sponsorships within the communities that we serve,” she said. “So we understand the importance of working with the organizations that are doing great work to meet the gaps.”

“Our mobile outreach programs through Sentara Community Care, we educate parents of patients who may be students.”

For parents interested in learning more about vaccination requirements, they should reach out to the Prince William County Public Schools at www.pwcs.edu.  They can enter “Immunization requirements” into the search box, or here’s a link right to a page of information from PWCS: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/student_services/registration/immunization_requirements/index.

As the event nears, Watts believes they will reach more families this year.

“The number of vaccinations at the Back to School event exceeded the number at the local schools,” she said. “It speaks to the connection we have with the PWCCF. It’s our third year sponsoring the event, and we are excited to work with them again and hope to reach more people this year.”

This year’s Back to School Event will be on August 2 at Gar-Field High School.

For anyone interested in learning more about Sentara Cares, please visit their website at sentaracares.com where they can find information on their various programs. Visit pwccfoundation.org to find out more about the PWCCF and the Back to School Event!

(Photo credit: Sentara)