Focal Point

One way of honoring those who make the ultimate sacrifice is to care for their children. A Soldier’s Child Foundation exists for that purpose—to nurture and support the children of active-duty service members who have died.

There’s a connection with what students eat and how they perform academically, so Virginia’s Department of Education is trying to get healthier food options in front of kids in the Commonwealth. We speak with Dr. Sandy Curwood, director of Virginia’s school nutrition programs about this new effort.

When people don’t have enough healthy foods to eat it can take a toll on their wellbeing. The lack of nutritious and affordable food is even more problematic for families living in rural communities with limited food options. In King William County, a food bank has become a cornerstone for families looking to supplement their food supply.

Native Americans are working together to start a food revolution. They say more environmentally sustainable agricultural practices lead to healthier food options and could be key to protecting our health and the planet.

Fit4Kids, a Richmond-based nonprofit, promotes a healthy lifestyle for children by making physical activity and healthy eating fun. It runs the “Game On Girl” weekly after-school program at Lucille Brown Middle School that teaches kids how to prepare delicious healthy foods. Studies show that well-nourished children do better academically and have greater self-esteem.

Even with an increase over last year, numbers don't approach a 1993 peak.

A community walk to prevent suicide centers on awareness and remembrance of those lost. Agencies like the Dept. Of Veterans Services provide resources to reduce the suicide rate, particularly among veterans.

Virginia provides special services for veterans entangled in the criminal justice system. Why are those who have served at a higher risk and what’s being done to help those who have served the country?

Army veteran Jim Rudisill argues that Veterans Affairs is improperly denying him full benefits under the G.I. Bill. Through his lawyers, he argued to the U.S. Supreme Court he’s entitled to more robust benefits passed by Congress after 9-11.

While veterans make up about 6% of the general population, they make up 8% of the prison population. We spoke with a number of those behind bars, and they cite post-traumatic stress disorder as well as trouble transitioning out of the military as factors that led them to prison.