Originally published in the 2017 Summer Quarterly Explorer

Five women of the Connectors’ Women’s Missions Circle of RRCB went to Kates Day at the Women’s Correctional Center of Virginia in Goochland. This has become an annual visit for several women of RRCB who go in support of the work of The Elizabeth Kates Foundation, which seeks to create better learning opportunities and give other needed support for incarcerated women in that prison. A plant sale from the Kates supported horticulture department is always a highlight. Crafts and baked goods made by the inmates are also available. The presentation of scholarships for women to take courses offered by community colleges or online is  another highlight. Among the initiative of The Elizabeth Kates Foundation which River Road has supported is contributing to a business attire clothes closet for women being released and needing appropriate clothes to apply for jobs.