In 2014, the Roanoke Police Department ushered in a new initiative known as "Art with a Cop." The program pairs officers with kids and they help each other make homemade cards for children at the Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital. Decorated with messages like: "Keep fighting," "Don't give up," and "We love you!", the initiative has been so successful that organizations have called the department specifically about scheduling one. Officers do an "Art with a Cop" in several neighborhoods every summer that are associated with the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority. If you are interested in bringing an "Art with a Cop" to your child's school, group, or organization, please email us at
[email protected].