Celebrating the Unity of a Community

The City of Virginia Beach is gearing up for the Fifth Annual Unity Week activities taking place between Oct. 16-22. This year's theme is "Belonging," which speaks to our collective human desire to be accepted in a community or group, and what we can all do to further that acceptance.

Unity Week began in 2018 in Parks & Recreation's Inclusion Services Unit and is a celebration of what makes us unique as individuals and a movement toward embracing what sets us apart in an atmosphere of positivity and acceptance.

A number of activities are planned throughout the week to bring individuals from all walks of life together to celebrate the diversity in our community.

Unity and Inclusivity Doodles
Monday, Oct. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 22, 3-5 p.m. daily | Oceanfront Area Library

Unity Week Community Art Project
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2-4 p.m. | Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Windsor Woods Area Library

Belonging Storytime & Craft
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 11-11:45 a.m. | Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library (registration required)

Unity Line Dance Party
Thursday, Oct. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Bow Creek Recreation Center

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation invites and encourages everyone – not just residents of Virginia Beach – to celebrate Unity Week on their own by wearing orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, Oct. 19, and performing acts of kindness to make others feel seen, understood, and included. Share your stories and photos on social media using #VBUnity.

For those who wish to learn more and take a deeper dive into what Unity Week is about, additional resources can be found at www.VBgov.com/unity. There you will find a resource guide with activities participants can do on their own or as a group to promote unity. The "Belonging Book List" is a curated collection of age-appropriate reading, all of which can be found in our Virginia Beach Public Libraries collection.

About Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation strives to promote healthy lifestyles and protect the City's coastal environment, as well as to ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social and economic circumstances – can access Parks & Recreation programs. The department's vision is to be the national leader in providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences. Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. For more information, visit VBgov.com/parks or call (757) 385-1100 (TTY: 757-711 Virginia Relay). Sign up for Parks & Rec email newsletters at VBgov.com/eNews. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/VBparksrec.