In May 1991 the Virginia Counselors Association Board voted to establish the VCA Foundation, with Dr. John R. Cook as the foundation’s major initial contributor and Ellen Chewning, Libby Hoffman, D.L. “Pete” Warren, and Gaye Whitlock joining Cook as the founding directors.
In its first year major contributions were made by several members including the establishment of the Nancy McCoy Fund and the John Cook Award. The VCA’s initiative is second only to California with branches of ACA with its own foundation.
Since those early steps the volunteer board has stewarded the endowment, launched grant and scholarship programs, and maintained a commitment to serving Virginia’s counseling professionals.
2020-2022
2022: VCAF and VCA contributed to the Norfolk State University Counselor Education Foundation to provide funding for the expenses for the CACREP Accreditation process.
2021: VCAF and VCA initiate BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color) Membership Scholarships to enhance racial and ethnic diversity in VCA.
Grants Program renamed in memory of Suzee Leone, Virginia Commonwealth University, highly respected counselor educator emeritus, distinguished VCA past president, and long time, very active, participant in the VCAF board.
2020: Contracted digital services director to assist with website redesign and social media. Conducted first Speed Mentoring online panel.
2010-2019
2018: Began affiliation with #GivingTuesday international movement. Sponsored VCA’s Got Talent at VCA Annual Convention.
2017: Began acknowledging Esther Pincus Grant, which affirms the genuine qualities of care and concern Esther extended to her family, friends, colleagues and students.
2015: Supported the sponsorship of scholarships for emerging student leaders’ participation in the VCA Leadership Academy.
2013: Student Fellows Program named in honor of Pete Warren, a counselor educator at Lynchburg College who had a profound influence on many students and contributed substantially as a leader in the VCA and the VCAF.
2012: Initiated the Student Fellows competition, designed to identify and support counselor education students in Virginia who aspire to leadership in the counseling profession.
Resumed awarding small grants for proposals, which furthered counseling initiatives in Virginia. Grants are awarded twice annually, subject to merit and appropriateness of the submissions.
2011: Foundation redefined its focus as the “alumni association for professional counselors in all settings.” Continued to focus on supporting, empowering and nurturing professional counselors throughout their lifetimes.
2010: Rebirth of the foundation’s contributions to the profession, with another sponsorship of the VCA Journal.
2000-2009
2009: A year of reorganization and reflection, with many plans made for the new direction for the foundation. Bylaws revised and foundation board vacancies filled
2008: Existing leaders made critical decision to instill renewed energy in the organization and vision that Cook had for it at the time of its origin.
2007: Foundation assisted VCA in hosting the ACA Southern Region Leadership Conference.
2001-2006: Annually funded professional development scholarships to provide for two new VCA members to attend the state convention and a second year’s membership in VCA.
2005: Sponsored a pre-convention workshop for clinical counselors at the VCA Annual Convention.
2004: Funded the printing of the VCA Journal and continued to fund annually since.
2003: Sponsored a workshop for Central Valley Counselors Association on Attachment Disorders.
2002: Awarded funding for the VCA Office to initiate web services with Affiniscape and assisted the counseling community in preparing for the implementation of the Standards of Learning.
2000: Again co-sponsored nine regional workshops on HIV/AIDS for counselors and nurses working in school settings, made possible by Virginia Department of Education funding.
1991-1999
1998: Co-sponsored nine regional workshops on HIV/AIDS for counselors and nurses working in school settings, made possible by Virginia Department of Education funding.
1992: VCA Board voted to allot 10% of profits from the annual VCA Convention to the foundation annually.
1991: In the VCA Foundation’s founding year, sizable contributions were made by several members. The Nancy McCoy Fund was established in memory of the VCA’s late secretary, Nancy McCoy.
Foundation awarded research grants for as much as $500 for materials and other resources to professional counselors in support of their leadership and professional development efforts.
The VCA leadership voted to name the keynote lecture at each annual VCA Convention the John Cook Convention Keynote, which the VCAF will sponsor on a regular basis.
John Cook Award initiated to recognize a VCA counselor for long and meritorious service to the VCA and the counseling profession. John Cook selected as the first recipient.