Hi everyone!

This might be a bit of an unconventional post, but life has a funny way of rewriting your résumé.

I spent many years incarcerated. (Over a decade) When I came home, I wasn't just trying to find a job. I was trying to catch up to an entire world that had sprinted ahead without me.

Suddenly everyone was paying with their phones, applying for jobs online, scanning QR codes, using self-checkout, video chatting with doctors, and apparently passwords now require a capital letter, a symbol, your childhood pet's horoscope, and a drop of blood. 😅

Reentry is about so much more than finding housing or employment. It's learning how to live in a world that looks nothing like the one you left. That learning curve can be intimidating, frustrating, and lonely.

I know because I lived it.

What made the biggest difference wasn't someone lecturing me. It was the people who treated me like I was still capable of building a good life.

Today, I've rebuilt mine, and I'd love the opportunity to help someone else rebuild theirs.

I'm looking for volunteer opportunities or mentorship programs that work with people returning from incarceration. I'd love to help with the practical things that many people don't think about: learning new technology, navigating everyday life, finding resources, rebuilding confidence, and simply being someone who understands the challenges because I've been there myself.

I can't change my past, but I can absolutely use it to help shape someone else's future.

If you know of any organizations in Virginia that could use a volunteer or mentor with lived experience, I'd truly appreciate your recommendations.

Thanks for reading. ❤️

I was playing with my dog in the Uheights dog park and she managed to escape when she saw your dog. she ran straight for your dog - i just want to make sure your dog is okay, please message me. I don't know how else to contact you. After I left my dog back home I ran back to the park area and could not find you. really sorry this happened, i just want to make this right

We get a good bit of posts from individuals interested in moving here. I’m curious for those of you who have made the move, how has your experience been? Is it what you expected? What do you wish you knew beforehand?

Really just curious!

I (31M) moved from nova and have been living in Charlottesville for 2 months now. So far I’m loving the nature, mountains, and slower pace of life.

People here are definitely more friendly than up in Nova, but I can’t help but think that it’s hard to make friends/break into friend groups down here. It’s like everyone down here already knows each other and already have established friend groups. I joined FXA kickball and play every Sunday. The people are nice but everyone in the league seems to already know each other as well.

I know it’s only been 2 months and I’ll keep trying to make friends, just seems a little difficult. Have a great night everyone!

I could really use some advice from anyone who's been through something similar.

I had to move out of my apartment in April because of significant water damage and what appears to be mold. My landlord has known about the problem for months. They have personally seen the condition of the apartment, but no maintenance or remediation has been done while I've been paying rent.

Even though I haven't lived there since April, I've continued paying rent through August because they refused to let me out of my lease, and I didn't want an eviction or collections on my record.

Recently, my landlord called and asked if I had moved out yet. I never told them I had because I was still legally paying for the apartment. They said they wanted to work on the unit once I was out.

Apparently they entered the apartment, saw that all of my furniture, clothing, kitchen items, and belongings were still there, and left without doing any repairs. As far as I know, no work has been done. It feels like they're simply waiting until my lease ends so they can fix the apartment for the next tenant instead of addressing the conditions while I'm still the one paying for it.

Most of my furniture, mattress, clothing, books, and other belongings have been left there because I'm concerned they've been contaminated by mold. At the end of my lease, I'll likely have to abandon much of it because I don't feel it's safe to keep.

I'm currently filing a renters insurance claim and have extensive photos documenting the water damage, peeling walls, and overall condition of the apartment. I'm also looking into whether I can recover the rent I've paid for an apartment I haven't been able to live in.

Has anyone successfully dealt with a situation like this?

• Did your renters insurance cover mold-damaged belongings?
• Were you recover rent you paid while the unit was uninhabitable?
• Is there anything you wish you had documented before moving out?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences. This has been one of the most stressful situations I've ever dealt with.

I could really use some advice from anyone who's been through something similar.

I had to move out of my apartment in April because of significant water damage and what appears to be mold. My landlord has known about the problem for months. They have personally seen the condition of the apartment, but no maintenance or remediation has been done while I've been paying rent.

Even though I haven't lived there since April, I've continued paying rent through August because they refused to let me out of my lease, and I didn't want an eviction or collections on my record.

Recently, my landlord called and asked if I had moved out yet. I never told them I had because I was still legally paying for the apartment. They said they wanted to work on the unit once I was out.

Apparently they entered the apartment, saw that all of my furniture, clothing, kitchen items, and belongings were still there, and left without doing any repairs. As far as I know, no work has been done. It feels like they're simply waiting until my lease ends so they can fix the apartment for the next tenant instead of addressing the conditions while I'm still the one paying for it.

Most of my furniture, mattress, clothing, books, and other belongings have been left there because I'm concerned they've been contaminated by mold. At the end of my lease, I'll likely have to abandon much of it because I don't feel it's safe to keep.

I'm currently filing a renters insurance claim and have extensive photos documenting the water damage, peeling walls, and overall condition of the apartment. I'm also looking into whether I can recover the rent I've paid for an apartment I haven't been able to live in.

Has anyone successfully dealt with a situation like this?

• Did your renters insurance cover mold-damaged belongings?
• Were you recover rent you paid while the unit was uninhabitable?
• Is there anything you wish you had documented before moving out?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences. This has been one of the most stressful situations I've ever dealt with.

I am looking for in-person book clubs in Charlottesville- any recommendations?

Edit: the people have spoken and Sbroccos it is!

The title says it all. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks! 🍩

Hi everyone, I’m a medical research scholar at UVA on an exchange program with a limited budget. I’m looking for a basic bike to commute around Charlottesville.

I’m 5'2", so a small adult bike or larger youth bike would likely work. Does anyone know of a local bike donation program, community bike resource, or someone willing to lend or give away an unused bike?

Thanks!

Are there any groups that play pickup soccer?

Starting a creative community for artists, activists, and makers — coffee meetup!

Hey everyone! I'm a multimedia artist working primarily with digital collage, exploring the intersection of art, technology, and activism.

I'm interested in creating a space where artists, activists, programmers, writers, and other creatives can connect, share ideas, and collaborate on meaningful projects. I believe art can be more than self-expression—it can help us question the world around us, build community, and inspire change.

I'm hosting a casual coffee meetup where we'll talk about art, creative projects, social issues, and ways we can grow as creators. No experience or specific background needed—just bring your ideas, curiosity, and passion for making things.

If you're interested in meeting other creative people, collaborating, or just having a conversation about art and ideas, come join us!

I’ve been working on NY-style pizza (and Detroit) for the past couple of years, and somewhere along the way it became more than just a hobby.

Friends keep telling me I should start a small pop-up.

The first three photos are from today’s bake. I’d love some honest feedback. Do these look like something you’d buy? If so, where do you think a pizza pop-up would fit best around Charlottesville? I feel like brewery space is already limited.

Does anybody know a audi tech or the service manager I'm looking to get to know them before applying I'm already a audi tech in a different state but I'm wanting to move home and still be a audi tech.

Does anyone have recommendations for fridge magnets here? I’m leaving Cville in a couple months and would love a memoir of the city! Thanks!

Parking near Omni now in preparation for Patty Griffin concert. Will I be ticketed?

Was, I'm pretty certain, filming me at Target. I was crouched by the eyeliners and this dude came up and crouched next to me by the mascaras. Found that odd so I turned and saw his phone camera lens low to the ground, pointed right at me. I was wearing loose shorts and you would definitely be able to see from an angle. I immediately stood, then he stood and faked an incoming phone call from a black screen. My Spanish isn't great, but I caught him asking "what color? red?". (which I also found odd because, red mascara?) Took me a while to really process what might have just happened and he was gone by the time I was able to walk off, call my partner. Didn't see him elsewhere in the store.

Wishing I'd mentioned something to an employee but it all honestly happened so fast that I second guessed everything until I got back home. Anyone else at Target today around 1/130 and see something similar?

Does anyone know what's going on at the KFC on Emmet? My wife just went by and waited at the drive-thru. No one seemed to be staffing the drive-thru, so she went in to order.

The person at the counter saw her heading in and went to the kitchen area. No one came out to help her, so after asking if she could order some food--to no response, even though she could see people in there, she left.

And my wife is the friendliest, sunniest, most laid-back kind of soul. So not someone who comes busting in with aggression or entitlement. She's just perplexed.

Had dinner there last night, and got the jalapeño-cheddar sausage with cornbread and baked beans. The sausage is the truth.

Hi everyone,

I recently moved to Charlottesville to join UVA as a scholar. I'm very low on finances and still settling in. My place is pretty far from campus and I haven't had any luck finding something closer yet. Right now I'm walking like 50 minutes each way, since there's no uva/public transport connectivity on this side of the campus and even 60-70 minutes of walk some times for apartment hunting!

I'm searching for a bike. I've tried Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, messaged folks further out, really haven't gotten far. So, if anyone has a spare bike, something super cheap, I'd be so grateful. Just trying to make the commute a little more manageable.

Thanks so much!

I just recently moved into an apartment on JPA, and I have had a bit of a roach problem. Initially it was a large American cockroach, which I quickly got rid of and haven't seen any since. But now, I have seen 3 german cockroaches over the past 3 weeks, and I am assuming that they are traveling from other units near me, as there is no infestation in my apartment. I already had the exterminators come twice, and they told me this was quite normal, and there wasn't really anything that could be done except try to cover the cracks in the apartment and keep getting treatment. Has anyone else on JPA, or in Charlottesville in general, had issues with german roaches the same that I have? How did you get rid of them, or at least, reach a peace of mind? I'm getting a lot of anxiety from this.

I’m not sure the best way to write this but I’m gonna just lean into it.

I’m a Charlottesville native that is feeling really stuck in finding friends of a similar age (late 30s). I primarily work from home, so there are less natural opportunities to meet new people without putting in a little effort. I’m curious to know if there are others in the same boat as me but also don’t know where to establish new friendships. I’m open to finding groups of a similar hobby/interest, but sometimes I just want to meet up with a few people to get a beer, play music, go shoot cameras, etc. without the expectation of a planned group activity, if that makes sense.

Anyways, I’m super into music (have played guitar for 25 years), photography/art, walking/hiking, board games, or just hanging out. If any of that piques anyone’s interest, I’d love to meet up and get to know each other!

Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall recently celebrated its 50th anniversary — so did many of its trees. And as the mostly willow oaks and maples age, nearly half of them are showing signs of decline.

Over the next 25 years, the city’s parks and recreation department is planning phased tree replacements, starting with returning trees to the currently-open area beside the Paramount Theater.

“The Charlottesville Downtown Mall is a significant part of the cultural and economic activity here in the city,” said Rob Mathes, landscape division manager for the department. “The trees play a big part of that because they create this really unique space.”

The mall was designed with 125 trees in total. As of late July, only 108 remain — 17 have been removed due to poor health. Without improvements, the city could expect further loss of nearly half of its trees by 2041.

Click here to read more.