Torey Edmonds

Community Liaison Specialist

Selected publications

Contact information

(804)646-6291 or (804)828-2460

edmondstj@vcu.edu

Education

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Virginia Commonwealth University

Program Affiliation

VCU Clark-Hill Institute

Institute Roles

To support the effective access to and integration of community input and feedback into university and community-based research, teaching and service relevant to the promotion of positive youth development. Assist faculty and staff in developing partnerships with community entities concerned about youth violence and other risk and protective factors relevant to the positive development of youth. Support the education of community groups about the purpose and function of select and targeted initiatives relevant to positive youth development. Work to establish, support and maintain effective community university relationships relevant to specific youth development initiatives. Work with identified university faculty and staff to plan, implement and evaluate partnership initiatives and report on progress related to community-university initiatives. Support the development and design of community-based preventive interventions. Support effective interpretation of community-based research. Support the development of select and targeted grant and funding opportunities.

Interests

Community-based research

Biographical sketch

Program affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University

Positions and Employment:

1999 – 2000 Recruiting Assistant, United Status Bureau of Census, Richmond, VA 1994 – 2001 Chairperson, East District Neighborhood Team, Richmond, VA 1999 – 2005 Executive Director, East District Improvement Corporation, Richmond, VA 2003 – 2005 Community Liaison Specialist, Center for the Study and Prevention of Youth Violence, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 2005-Present Community Liaison Specialist, Clark-Hill Institute , Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond,Va

Other experience:

Internships Richmond City Commonwealth Attorneys Office Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Psychology Challenge Discovery/ Virginia Health Center Saint Joseph Villa / Dooley School Richmond City Department of Social services Richmond City Jail

Honors:

City of Richmond as a distinguished citizen for provided leadership, fortitude and commitment to ensuring that the quality of life for residents of the East End in the city of Richmond maintains steady improvement July/2002 Houston, Texas Neighborhood USA Neighborhood of the Year For Building Stronger Communities May/2002 City of Richmond East District Initiative Volunteer Recognition Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service September/2001 City of Richmond for Outstanding Community Service September/1999 The Mayor's Award from the City of Richmond for Outstanding Community leadership in the 7th District August/1998

Research support:

2006 Building Community Social Capital:The goal of the current project is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based prevention process targeting increases in community-level social capital relevant to the reduction of youth risk, with particular emphasis on youth violence. This intervention builds on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s ‘Plain Talk’ model where community residents (a) interact with community residents to obtain perceptions of community challenges and discuss current indicators of community challenge; (b) return to community residents and present summaries of community perceptions, discuss ideas for change and invite residents to community forums to address these challenges; and (c) hold community meetings that support community efforts to support positive youth development, youth access to resources and opportunities (e.g., health clinics, youth development opportunities, employment supports), and the development of messages and interactions with adults that support positive youth outcomes (e.g., supporting nonviolent means of resolving conflict, helping adults talk with youth about sexual health). 2006 Barriers and Support for Community Level Youth Violence Prevention:The goal of this research study is to identify barriers and supports to the implementation of effective youth violence prevention programming among public administrators.

Past research support:

2001-2002 Community Social Capital: Using networks and technology to build community capacity. Aspen Institute Roundtable on Comprehensive Initiatives for Children and Families, Allison, PI, Howard, (Co-PI) 2002 – 2003 East End Partnership for Families, Facilitation and Evaluation, Annie E. Casey Foundation (Funded)