News Summary
Local artisans in Virginia Beach are providing free woodworking and sewing classes for veterans and their families, in partnership with the Armed Services Arts Partnership. The workshops aim to foster creative expression, social connections, and mental health resilience among participants. Held at the O’Connor Woodworking and Education Center, these classes have reached capacity with plans for expansion. The initiative highlights the role of arts in healing and community building, offering diverse courses across artistic disciplines to strengthen veteran support networks and promote well-being.
Virginia Beach, VA – Local artisans Jeff and Kim O’Connor are making a significant impact in their community by offering free woodworking and sewing classes specifically for veterans and their families. This initiative is part of a collaboration with the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), the largest non-profit Veteran Art Program in the United States.
The classes are hosted at O’Connor Woodworking and Education Center, located at 3025 Colechester Rd, Virginia Beach, VA, where participants can engage in hands-on workshops aimed at enhancing their skills in woodworking and sewing. Each workshop session lasts three hours, providing a focused environment for veterans to learn and create.
The current woodworking class session has reached full capacity and is set to conclude on October 18th. Looking ahead, the O’Connors plan to expand their offerings by introducing more diverse workshop topics and longer courses starting in the spring. Veterans and families interested in these future opportunities can sign up for email notifications through the ASAP website for updates on new courses.
Jeff O’Connor, a retired Navy EOD Master Chief, has personal insights into the challenges veterans face, particularly the mental health struggles that can stem from military life. He emphasizes the importance of the ASAP mission, which aims to combat stress and improve the well-being of veterans through creative expression and community building. Alongside him, Kim O’Connor operates her business, The Striped Tomato, specializing in embroidery and screen printing, which complements the artistic focus of their workshops.
The O’Connors recognize that engaging in the arts can have a positive effect on mental health, providing avenues for stress relief and healing. Research shows that veterans participating in ASAP classes report improved social connections, increased self-esteem, and heightened resilience, all essential factors for a smooth transition back into civilian life.
ASAP not only offers classes in woodworking and sewing, but it also features courses across various art forms, including visual arts and comedy. This diverse range of offerings fosters a creative community for veterans, allowing them to bond over shared experiences and develop camaraderie amidst new relationships.
As they continue their work in the Virginia Beach community, Jeff and Kim O’Connor are dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, leveraging their businesses as platforms for creative expression and healing. Through their collaboration with ASAP, they hope to not only teach valuable skills but also encourage resilience and connection among participants.
For more information about upcoming workshops and initiatives at O’Connor Woodworking and Education Center, individuals can visit ocwwvb.com or learn about The Striped Tomato at thestripedtomato.com. Additional resources and local course offerings can be explored through the ASAP website at asapasap.org.
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Additional Resources
- Military News: Virginia Beach Artisans Join Forces with ASAP
- Pilot Online: Veterans’ Free Workshops
- Daily Press: SpaceX Echostar Spectrum Licenses
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- Pilot Online: Lazy Daisy to Open Near Town Center
- Wikipedia: Arts in the United States
- Google Search: Veterans Woodworking Classes
- Google Scholar: Art and Veteran Mental Health
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mental Health
- Google News: Virginia Beach Community Events
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