The City of Danville’s Project Imagine program was recently recognized as one of five “Champions of Mentoring” by Mentor Virginia, a Richmond-based organization that supports the development and growth of mentoring programs for youth. 

The award highlights Project Imagine’s success in fostering positive relationships and strengthening the Danville community through impactful mentoring initiatives. Founded under Robert David’s leadership, Project Imagine aims to steer at-risk youth away from gang involvement by providing them with mentorship, life skills training, and educational opportunities. 

“We have a compassionate team of people who care about the youth in Danville and a mentoring model that allows those team members to utilize their strengths and influence to positively impact youth,” said Robert David, violence prevention manager for the City of Danville and head of Project Imagine. “This award is testament to the compassion and hard work of the Project Imagine team.”

Mentor Virginia provides vital services to mentoring programs, including training, technical assistance, and the placement of AmeriCorps VISTA members in programs statewide. By celebrating these organizations, Mentor Virginia recognizes the mentors and staff who make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. 

The other organizations honored alongside Project Imagine were the Virginia Hispanic Foundation; Partnership for the Future; Omicron Alpha Lambda, Fredericksburg Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; and Space of Her Own (SOHO).