Why We Partnered with People of Virginia Beach
At Healing Arts Center, we believe healing isn't just physical. It's about feeling seen and heard. We also believe in the power of creative practice to help people process grief and loss, to give people a way to tell their story outside of the moment they lost someone or something. So when we had the chance to partner with People of Virginia Beach, a project built around one idea, that people want to be listened to, it felt like a natural fit.
What Is People of Virginia Beach?
If you haven't come across it yet, People of Virginia Beach is a photography and storytelling project started by Suzi, a local who walks the Oceanfront several days a week with a camera, stopping strangers to ask them questions like: What brought you here? What moments shaped you? What do you wish people knew about you?
In just two months, the project has grown to over 7,300 followers, with the majority right here in Hampton Roads. The numbers matter, but the point is what Suzi is doing with them. In her own words:
"Communities aren't built on buildings, businesses, or rules. They're built when people actually take the time to know each other."
That's a mission we can get behind.
Why This Partnership Matters to Us
Suzi isn't just a talented photographer and storyteller. She's also a military widow whose husband served with the Department of Defense. Building something like People of Virginia Beach from scratch, while rebuilding a life after that kind of loss, takes resilience.
We think it's important to support military spouses, especially ones pouring their energy into creative, community-focused work. Military families give so much, often quietly, often without recognition. Creative entrepreneurship among military spouses deserves the same support any small business does, if not more.
This week, we partnered with Suzi to help share our own story with the People of Virginia Beach community, and to support a project that's getting neighbors, visitors, and locals to stop and talk to each other.
Our Story, Told Through Her Lens
Being featured through Suzi's storytelling style meant slowing down and answering the kinds of questions we don't usually get asked in a typical business bio, questions about why we do what we do at Healing Arts Center, not just what we do. It was a good reminder of why we got into this work in the first place: helping clients reconnect with their bodies and nervous systems through trauma-informed reiki, yoga nidra, and meditation.
Get Involved
If you're local to Hampton Roads (or just visiting), say hello to Suzi if you see her on the Boardwalk. Your story matters too. You can also:
Follow People of Virginia Beach for local stories and behind-the-scenes moments
Reach out to Suzi directly at suzi@peopleofvirginiabeach.com for speaking engagements or partnerships
We're proud to have supported this project, and proud to call Suzi part of the Healing Arts Center community.
Let me know if there's anything else to tweak.
At Healing Arts Center, we believe healing isn't just physical. It's about feeling seen and heard. We also believe in the power of creative practice to help people process grief and loss, to give people a way to tell their story outside of the moment they lost someone or something. So when we had the chance to partner with People of Virginia Beach, a project built around one idea, that people want to be listened to, it felt like a natural fit.
What Is People of Virginia Beach?
If you haven't come across it yet, People of Virginia Beach is a photography and storytelling project started by Suzi, a local who walks the Oceanfront several days a week with a camera, stopping strangers to ask them questions like: What brought you here? What moments shaped you? What do you wish people knew about you?
In just two months, the project has grown to over 7,300 followers, with the majority right here in Hampton Roads. The numbers matter, but the point is what Suzi is doing with them. In her own words:
"Communities aren't built on buildings, businesses, or rules. They're built when people actually take the time to know each other."
That's a mission we can get behind.
Why This Partnership Matters to Us
Suzi isn't just a talented photographer and storyteller. She's also a military widow whose husband served with the Department of Defense. Building something like People of Virginia Beach from scratch, while rebuilding a life after that kind of loss, takes resilience.
We think it's important to support military spouses, especially ones pouring their energy into creative, community-focused work. Military families give so much, often quietly, often without recognition. Creative entrepreneurship among military spouses deserves the same support any small business does, if not more.
This week, we partnered with Suzi to help share our own story with the People of Virginia Beach community, and to support a project that's getting neighbors, visitors, and locals to stop and talk to each other. Here is one of the stories: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122115234369326798&set=pcb.122115234921326798
Our Story, Told Through Her Lens
Being featured through Suzi's storytelling style meant slowing down and answering the kinds of questions we don't usually get asked in a typical business bio, questions about why we do what we do at Healing Arts Center, not just what we do. It was a good reminder of why we got into this work in the first place: helping clients reconnect with their bodies and nervous systems through trauma-informed reiki, yoga nidra, meditation and more. www.vagaro.com/healingartscenter
Get Involved
If you're local to Hampton Roads (or just visiting), say hello to Suzi if you see her on the Boardwalk. Your story matters too. You can also:
Follow People of Virginia Beach for local stories and behind-the-scenes moments
Reach out to Suzi directly at suzi@peopleofvirginiabeach.com for speaking engagements or partnerships
We're proud to have supported this project, and proud to call Suzi part of the Healing Arts Center community.
