News Summary
Virginia Beach offers free woodworking and sewing classes for veterans and their families through a partnership with ASAP. Led by local artisans Jeff and Kim O’Connor, these workshops aim to provide therapeutic outlets, foster community, and support mental health. The classes are designed to promote resilience and camaraderie among military families. Upcoming sessions, including extended courses planned for spring, are announced via email updates. The initiative highlights the importance of arts engagement in aiding veterans’ well-being, reflecting strong community support for those who serve.
Virginia Beach Offers Free Workshops for Veterans and Their Families
Virginia Beach, Virginia is hosting free woodworking and sewing classes for veterans and their families, thanks to local artisans Jeff and Kim O’Connor. These classes, held in partnership with the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), aim to provide a therapeutic outlet for service members coping with the stresses of military life.
Class Details and Availability
Jeff O’Connor, who operates O’Connor Woodworking and Education Center, and Kim O’Connor, owner of The Striped Tomato, have been offering free three-hour workshops at their business location on 3025 Colechester Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. The current woodworking class session is filled and will conclude on October 18th. Plans are underway to offer more workshops and extended courses in the spring.
To stay updated on upcoming classes, interested veterans and family members can sign up for email notifications from ASAP by visiting asapasap.org.
Supporting Veterans through the Arts
Jeff O’Connor, a retired Navy EOD Master Chief, underscores the value of ASAP’s mission, noting that military family life can be challenging and often stressful. Through ASAP, veterans are offered free courses across various arts that aid in managing stress in a nurturing environment.
Many instructors within the ASAP program are veterans or family members who bear a deep understanding of the unique struggles faced by military personnel and their loved ones.
Both Jeff and Kim O’Connor are aware of the significant impacts of military service on mental health. Their classes are designed not only as a creative outlet through woodworking and sewing but also as a means to foster peace, comfort, and camaraderie among participants.
About the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)
The Armed Services Arts Partnership is the largest non-profit art program for veterans in the United States. The organization provides free arts courses aiming to enhance the resilience, confidence, and social connections of veterans and their families, while also reducing symptoms of depression. Currently, ASAP boasts over 6,000 alumni from all 50 states.
ASAP offers a diverse curriculum, including visual arts, comedy, creative writing, and stage combat, catering to a broad array of artistic interests and experiences. This approach allows veterans and their families to engage creatively while building a supportive community.
Future Workshops and Community Impact
The O’Connors’ efforts reflect a commitment to improving the well-being of veterans through arts engagement. The free classes they conduct not only empower participants but also play a crucial role in fostering a greater understanding of the challenges faced by military families.
Participants in the workshops have reported positive changes, including improved resilience and a strengthened sense of community, which are critical as they navigate life after service. The O’Connors continuously strive to provide a space where healing can begin through creative expression.
Additional Information
For more information about Jeff and Kim O’Connor’s initiatives, visit their respective websites: thestripedtomato.com for Kim’s sewing and embroidery business and ocwwvb.com for Jeff’s woodworking center.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Community Arts Program Supports Veterans and Families in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Fosters Veteran Engagement Through Arts and Creative Events
Additional Resources
- Military News: Virginia Beach Artisans Join Forces
- Pilot Online: Veterans Free Workshops
- WTKR: Virginia Veterans Hand-Carved Birds
- Pilot Online: Virginia Beach-Based 360IT Partners Acquired
- Pilot Online: Sandler Center Pledges to Strengthen Opportunities
- Wikipedia: Armed Services Arts Partnership
- Google Search: Virginia Beach Workshops for Veterans
- Google Scholar: Veterans Art Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arts
- Google News: Virginia Beach Veterans Workshops
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
