STRENGTH™ in Motion (SiM 08-10-2026)

Stephanie Toney
5 hours ago
3 min read

One pillar, One practice, and One week in motion

August 10th - August 16th

Connect with our Road Trip Coming to YOU

Welcome to our 08/10/2026 edition of STRENGTH™ in Motion, a weekly space where we will explore one STRENGTH™ pillar, one STRENGTH™ practice, share what is happening behind the scenes, & invite you into upcoming opportunities

One STRENGTH Pillar

Examine: Reflect honestly so you can grow intentionally

Examination invites us to slow down and notice what our usual pace may be hiding. Honest reflection is not about judging ourselves. It is about recognizing patterns, listening to what our experiences are teaching us and choosing our next step with greater clarity.

“The most meaningful transformation begins with a single honest observation”

Stephanie Toney

Set aside ten quiet minutes and complete these three statements:

One thing that is working well is…
One pattern I need to notice is…
One habit that no longer aligns with my values is…

Circle the observation that needs your attention most and choose one small action you will take within the next 24 hours

"Examination becomes transformational when honest reflection leads to intentional action"

-Stephanie Toney

Behind the STRENGTH™

This week, we are practicing Examine by taking an honest look at the systems behind CHW Strength.

Through our AI audit with MIRJ Creative, we are reviewing the CHW 101 experience from registration through graduation to identify what is working, where unnecessary steps or inconsistencies exist, and how we can create a smoother experience for participants, instructors and employers.

We are also refining upcoming STRENGTH™ resources and preparing for our next CHW 101 cohort and September CHW CO-OP Company enrollment.

"Growth begins when we are willing to notice what is working and courageously improve what is not"

Stephanie Toney

One Week Ago & In Upcoming Weeks

Red-tailed Hawk paused before taking flight

This Red-tailed Hawk paused before taking flight.

At first glance, it looked like it was standing on one leg. But a closer look revealed something different. Hawks often tuck one foot up when they are relaxed, conserving energy, and fully aware of their surroundings.

How often do we make assumptions before we take a closer look?

This week, the STRENGTH™️ pillar of Examine invites us to pause before we react. To look beyond first impressions. To become curious instead of certain. To examine our thoughts, our motives, our relationships, and the opportunities God places before us.

Sometimes wisdom isn’t found by moving faster. It’s found by looking deeper.

What might you discover this week if you took a closer look?

VDH Internship Academy Poster Symposium

We often examine our accomplishments but rarely examine our investments in people.

The greatest legacy isn’t always what we build. Sometimes it’s who we believed in before their gifts were fully visible.

Looking at these photos, I’m reminded that six years can transform a simple “yes” into a lifelong story of impact.

Never underestimate the power of seeing potential in someone before the world sees it.

“Faithful investments in people are rarely immediate but they are almost always eternal”

“When you examine your life years from now, you may discover that your greatest impact wasn’t found in the work you accomplished but in the people you believed in”

Happening in the Community

VDH's Virginia CHW Workforce Development Council

Next meeting is Wed. August 11th at 2pm EST

Join Lavender Hill for Between Us, a cozy, living room-style gathering designed for women to slow down, reflect, and connect through guided conversations. Monthly on Wednesdays staring 8/19/26.