Community Members
Learn about the many free programs, classes and events we offer for community members below.
Programs and Events
Community health education programs can help you achieve better health and well-being. Learn to make small lifestyle changes that are a good fit for you. All classes and workshops are free. Online and in-person options are available. Visit our event calendar for more information.
These programs are not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Talk with a physician if:
- You need medical advice.
- You have problems with alcohol or drug use.
- You are thinking of ending your life. Call or text 988 for immediate help.
Be a Quitter
One session, 60 minutes
Not sure you’re ready to quit using tobacco products like cigarettes, vapes or dip? Learn steps you can take to set yourself up for success. Find out about the free support available when you are ready to quit.
Creative Expressions: Healing Art Workshops
Single or multi-session workshops, 60 – 90 minutes each
Did you know art can improve your well-being? Express yourself in these guided workshops. Explore your identity, hopes and experiences. Get creative in a safe space—no judgement here!
Food and Mood
One session, 60 minutes
Do you know how food affects your brain? Learn more about the “gut-brain” link and how to improve your mood through food. Discover specific foods and eating patterns that support mental and emotional well-being.
Food Smarts
5 – 6 weekly sessions, 60 – 90 minutes each
Healthy eating on a budget IS possible! Learn how to grow your confidence in the kitchen. Cooking demos and food samples provided.
Full Plate Living
8 weekly sessions, 60 minutes each
Take control of your health one meal at a time. In this class series, explore how to add fiber foods to the meals you already eat. This way of eating can lead to more energy, lower cholesterol, better blood sugar and weight loss. Adopt eating habits that work for YOU.
Know Your Numbers
Multi-session workshops
Focus on prevention with regular blood pressure and weight checks, A1C screenings and chronic disease risk assessments. Work with a health educator or nurse to set goals and manage and reduce your chronic disease risk over time.
Meds and You
One session, 60 minutes
Medications can be confusing. We’re here to help! Learn tips and tricks to stay on top of your meds. Practice reading prescription labels and writing down questions for your doctor.
Mindful Movement
Single or multi-session classes, 60 minutes each
Get moving in a way that helps your body and mind! Learn gentle exercises and breathing techniques in classes like chair yoga, tai chi and more. Boost your mood as you release tension. Designed for all fitness levels and abilities—no equipment needed.
Self Help +
5 weekly sessions, 60 – 90 minutes each
Are you experiencing stress? You’re not alone! Learn skills to cope with life’s challenges. A few minutes of practice each day are enough to improve how you feel.
Wellness Workshops
Multi-session workshops, 60 minutes each
Learn how to improve your health and well-being in these weekly guided workshops. Sessions focus on a variety of topics, including chronic disease prevention, tools for mental health and substance use recovery and more.
Peer Support Services
Do you need support with your mental health, substance abuse or trauma recovery journey? Peer support specialists can help.
ALLin Peer Support Services
Peer support specialists have been successful in their own recovery processes and gone through specialized training to help others experiencing similar situations. You don't have to go through recovery alone! Peers will walk side by side with you to:
- Support recovery through mentoring and goal setting
- Build community and relationships
- Provide education and share resources
- End the stigma and shame surrounding substance abuse and mental health recovery
Where to find peer support specialists:
Outpatient
- Roanoke:
- Community Health and Outreach: 1202 3rd St. SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
- CRMH Emergency Department
- Tazewell:
- CTCH Emergency Department
Inpatient
How to Access Our Services
There are 2 ways to schedule an appointment with our team:
- Get a referral from your physician
- Call 540-983-4053 to schedule an appointment
Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers
Our community health workers understand the barriers that may be standing between you and your best health—and they know how to help. They will work one-on-one with you to:
- Provide support and advocate for your needs
- Find what motivates you to achieve your health goals
- Provide education and help navigate the health care system
Carilion community health workers are currently located in the Roanoke, Franklin, Tazewell, Rockbridge and NRV/Giles service areas.
How to Access Our Services
There are two ways to schedule an appointment with our team:
- Get a referral from your physician
- Call 540-983-4053 to schedule an appointment
Clinical Services
Access to affordable, quality healthcare is crucial for maintaining health and preventing and managing chronic conditions.
Health Screenings and Programs
We provide free health screenings and other educational programs to detect potential health issues before they start. Check out our calendar of events to find programs in your area.
Vaccine Clinics
Free Flu Vaccine Clinics
Melrose Plaza
Wednesday, Oct. 29
4 – 6 p.m.
2502 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke, VA 24017
All community flu vaccine clinics are first come, first served. Vaccines are available while supplies last. For questions, contact us at communityoutreach@carilionclinic.org or 540-983-4053.
You can also stay up-to-date on vaccines by visiting your local Carilion Clinic pharmacy, any VelocityCare location or your primary care physician.
Morningside Urban Farm
Learn how to grow fruits, vegetables and a healthier mind, body and spirit at Morningside Urban Farm!
The farm is an educational space in southeast Roanoke that benefits our local community. Join us for our many free programs on the beautiful Morningside Park property, which overlooks Mill Mountain. All produce grown at the farm is given for free to event participants or donated to local nonprofits.
The farm is maintained by farmer Hannah Patrick and managed by Community Health Educator Angela Charlton, RDN. Contact Angela at 540-520-4843 or by email to request information or suggest an event.
Events
The farm hosts free workshops for the community in the spring, summer and fall seasons. These events feature yoga, arts activities and opportunities for gardening and farming, as well as educational classes on topics including nutrition, gardening, mindfulness, arts, traditional crafting and more! All class participants can take home free, fresh produce from the farm (as supplies are available).
To stay up to date on Urban Farm events and more, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, The Morningside Message!
Herbal Fairy Garden
Established in 2020 to honor Carilion Community Health Educator Edie Naughton, RN, this magical garden is home to fairies and gnomes set among vibrant dwellings. The garden blooms with herbs including elfin, magic carpet and caraway thyme, as well as rosemary, fennel and ornamental allium. Visitors can unwind on the bench surrounded by sweet-smelling 'Miss Violet' butterfly bush, bleeding hearts, blue delphiniums, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and the beautiful fairy wands of pink muhly grass. Bring your children to explore and play! The fairy garden is full of surprises waiting to be discovered. Open year-round.
Bluebird Gallery
This gallery hosts a rotating exhibition of painted metal tiles by local students, artists and event participants. The tiles are generously donated by B&R Sheet Metal in Southeast Roanoke.
Healthy Recipes
Eating healthy is easier than you think! Check out these simple and nutritious recipes from the Morningside Urban Farm team, made with fresh fruits and vegetables you can find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. See more healthy recipe videos on our YouTube channel.
Gardening Tips
Whether you have a big backyard or a small windowsill, you can start a garden just about anywhere! Read more for tips on how to grow delicious produce in your own home and check out the tutorial videos below.
Wellness on Melrose
Wellness on Melrose is a resource center focused on improving the health and well-being of Northwest Roanoke residents. Carilion partners with Melrose Plaza to provide services at the center that support healthy lifestyles. There's no cost to participate in these activities.
Community Health Workers
A community health worker is available to help break down barriers to good health. Community health workers can work with you one-on-one to:
- Find motivation to achieve your health goals
- Connect to resources
- Navigate the healthcare system
To make an appointment with our Wellness on Melrose community health worker, talk to your healthcare practitioner or call 540-983-4053.
Health Education Programs
We provide a variety of FREE classes and workshops at Wellness on Melrose to help you achieve better health and well-being. Learn to make small lifestyle changes that are a good fit for you.
Cancer 101
Tuesday, Nov. 18
2 – 3 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 4
2 – 3 p.m.
Learn how you can reduce your risk of cancer by understanding the connection between diet and lifestyle. Create healthy habits to support your well-being. No registration needed.
Food and Mood
Tuesday, Dec. 16
11 a.m. – noon
Do you know how food affects your brain? Learn more about the “gut-brain” link and how to improve your mood through food. Discover specific foods and eating patterns that support mental and emotional well-being. No registration needed.
Mat Yoga
Thursdays, Nov. 13 – Dec. 11 (except Thanksgiving)
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Get moving in a way that helps your body and mind with mat yoga! This healthy practice builds strength and flexibility and improves balance and coordination. All fitness levels and abilities welcome. Limited mats available. Please bring your own mat, towel or blanket if possible. No registration needed.
Healing Arts Programs
The Keeley Healing Arts Program offers experiences and space at Wellness on Melrose to get creative through literary, visual and performing arts.
Open Art Studios
Drop-In Hours:
Tuesdays, 4 – 7 p.m.
Thursdays, 9 a.m. – noon
Get creative in our free, self-guided art studio! Drop in any time during open hours to work on your own project or get inspiration from a resource artist. Use our supplies or bring your own. Take part in painting, drawing, communal art projects or using clay, fabric and collage. All artistic levels welcome!
Featured Artists:
- Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25: Lynn Donihe, community quilting
- Nov. 13: Signe Overby, collage composition
- Nov. 20: Michele Walter, watercolor
- Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30: Lynn Donihe, community quilting
- Dec. 4 and 11: Michele Walter, watercolor
- Dec. 18: Signe Overby, holiday sticker-making
Rotating Art Exhibits
Check out our art gallery featuring local artists. Stay tuned for community calls for art!
Healing Community Events
Join in conversation, storytelling, creative expression and healing traditions to honor and hold space for collective grief and loss. More details to come.
Check out our event calendar and search "Wellness on Melrose" to see a full schedule of our current offerings.
Resources
Looking for simple steps you can take to improve your health and wellness? Read more on how to connect to resources in your community and online.
Easy Health
Easy Health is your guide to making life easier and healthier. This resource provides information on free and low-cost community health events, programs and services in the Roanoke Valley. Connect to Easy Health by:
- Downloading the latest issue to see what's happening in the Roanoke Valley this season
- Submit an event or program listing to Easy Health by sending us an email
Health and Wellness Library
Carilion's Health and Wellness library offers informative articles, recipes and news to inspire better health. Sign up for the Wellness Matters e-newsletter to get the latest content sent straight to your inbox once a month!
Health Education Videos
The Community Health and Outreach YouTube channel has educational videos to help you make small lifestyle changes on your journey to better health.
Carilion Direct
Call 800-422-8482 to register for health and wellness events or to schedule an appointment with a physician.
Carilion Connect
CONNECT is a confidential, 24-hour emergency evaluation and referral service staffed by psychiatric nurses and clinical social workers trained to help people access psychiatric and behavioral medicine support. For support, call 540-981-8181 or toll-free 800-284-8898.
2-1-1 Virginia
Dial 2-1-1 to get connected with local resources Virginia. Service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
