The City of Richmond has expanded its community engagement efforts by adding new staff members and offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS). These changes are aimed at supporting neighborhoods and priority populations across the city.
Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services, introduced the Thriving Together campaign. She said, “As we’re focusing on thriving together, we need to partner with communities and in communities both to hear what you all need from the city and to learn from you. We’re working to hear from you, to encourage you to be involved, to understand what’s happening at the city, and to help us make it better.”
Among the new appointments are Greg Hopkins as head of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention; Anna Jones as Opioid Response Strategist for the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response; Aneesah Smith as Equity and LGBTQIA+ Liaison starting August 11; and Alyson Saylors as Manager of the Office of Homeless Services.
These staff members will support ongoing work in several other offices under NCS, including services for immigrants and refugees, aging and disability services, children and families, and neighborhood engagement. The department’s focus is on connecting residents with resources, supporting local initiatives, coordinating engagement efforts, revitalizing neighborhoods, providing youth and senior services, partnering with organizations, building relationships within communities, uplifting voices that may not always be heard, and ensuring every resident feels supported.
Tiffany Ford, Director of NCS, stated: “At NCS, our mission is to meet people where they are—both literally and figuratively. The addition of new staff and offices allows us to deepen our connection to communities and expand our capacity to respond to the unique needs of Richmond’s residents. Whether we’re supporting families, addressing public health crises, or strengthening neighborhood leadership, our goal is always to build relationships rooted in trust, equity, and action. This is how we help make Richmond a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Mayor Danny Avula added: “This investment in our Human Services team reflects a deep commitment to building a city where every neighborhood—and every neighbor—can thrive. The addition of these new roles and offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services strengthens our ability to listen, respond, and partner with Richmonders, especially those who have too often been overlooked. Whether it’s gun violence prevention, opioid response, or ensuring LGBTQIA+ equity, these efforts are about more than service delivery—they’re about showing up, building trust, and working together to create a more connected and compassionate Richmond.”
Over the next two weeks residents can learn more about these initiatives through updates on social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook at @rvagov or by visiting www.rva.gov.
