Virginia Western is pleased to share this news story from the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority about successes attained through partnership at the EnVision Center:
The City of Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority is proud to announce it has been selected to receive an Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) in the 2025 Community Innovation Awards Program. This national recognition honors the successful partnership between RRHA and Virginia Western Community College aimed at expanding workforce development opportunities for public housing residents. At the core of this initiative is the strategic delivery of the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) course at the EnVision Center, located within RRHA’s largest public housing community. The program is designed to equip residents with the skills and credentials necessary to pursue careers in the healthcare field.
This partnership goes beyond career training. It also offers a comprehensive suite of wrap-around services that include mental health counseling, disability support, tutoring, job placement assistance, and financial literacy education. By embedding these services directly within the community, the program significantly reduces barriers to participation. As a result, it has achieved a remarkable 90% credential attainment rate among enrolled residents, underscoring both its accessibility and impact. In recognition of these outcomes, RRHA has also been nominated for NAHRO’s prestigious Award of Excellence, which honors outstanding innovation and achievement in housing and community development programs nationwide.
“Having a community college come directly to a public housing site is not the standard practice,” said Greg Goodman, Director of Community Support Services at RRHA. “It takes commitment and strong collaboration from both the college and the housing authority to ensure the training mirrors what would normally take place on campus. This also encourages current and future residents to explore opportunities available through the college that can help them advance their career goals and, ultimately, become self-sufficient enough to no longer rely on public housing assistance.”
“Receiving the Award of Merit for Community Innovation is a true highlight for us,” said Brittany Boltinghouse, Program Coordinator for Workforce Solutions at Virginia Western Community College. “Our Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program at the Roanoke Housing Authority has been an amazing collaborative effort, and the results speak for themselves. With two successful cohorts, we’ve celebrated students getting jobs, continuing their education towards nursing, and even gaining independence from housing assistance. Their success truly demonstrates that, together, we can empower individuals to achieve difficult goals and transform their lives.”
RRHA’s Resident Services staff work in close collaboration with the college’s Community Engagement Specialist based at the EnVision Center to identify interested participants and help them navigate potential barriers to successfully completing the training. As a key partner, Virginia Western brings its expertise in curriculum development and has played a vital role in securing funding to support the program.
“The EnVision Center embodies the power of possibility for our students and our community,” said Bernadette Battle, Vice President of Student Affairs at Virginia Western Community College. “Receiving the Award of Merit for Community Innovation is a tremendous honor and reflects our shared commitment to providing education and support directly to those we serve. Caring Virginia Western Community College staff stationed at the EnVision Center offer financial aid guidance, career counseling and pathways to college. By meeting students where they are, we create opportunities for communities to thrive.”
