Episode 754 | The Sharvette Mitchell Radio Show | www.Sharvette.com
Tonya L. Pulliam is a graduate of Virginia Union University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She also completed her graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work with Advanced Standing. With over 20 years of experience, Tonya has provided direct services to children and families, offered leadership and supervision to staff, and demonstrated outstanding volunteerism within the community. Currently residing in Richmond, Virginia, Tonya grew up in a rural area in the southern region of the state, living on a farm with her grandparents and sister.
For the past 15 years, Tonya has operated her own consulting firm and launched a training institute to serve mental health professionals in areas such as clinical documentation, clinical interventions, client assessment and planning, and service plan writing. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, she trained over 100 individuals in handling mental health crises and emergencies. Tonya also hosted the annual Community of Hope Conference for five years, enhancing the learning of human service professionals across Virginia. She has successfully built partnerships with esteemed professionals who are leaders in their fields.
During her tenure as a consultant, Tonya has worked on numerous projects across multiple states, providing needs assessments and community engagement. She served as the Director of Growth & Development for a therapeutic foster care agency, where she conducted research and evaluations to assess service needs for foster homes. Her efforts led to the introduction of new foster care programs in Asheville, North Carolina, and the expansion of services in Chesapeake and Richmond, Virginia. She also conducted a program evaluation for a psychiatric and substance abuse treatment hospital in Mandeville, Louisiana.
Tonya is deeply committed to grassroots and community social work. She has been a significant asset to the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, VA, in combating the city’s homelessness crisis. For seven years, she operated an emergency food pantry and clothes closet and partnered to offer weekly hot meals to the city’s most vulnerable residents. Under her leadership, over 10,000 articles of donated clothing were distributed annually to those in need. Tonya has spent much of her career working to improve the quality of life of others and meeting needs within the community.
In 2021, she reignited her passion for serving the city’s most vulnerable by opening The Unique Resource Center and Sarah’s Den. Sarah’s Den is dedicated to serving those with insecure housing and other needs in Richmond by providing essential clothing items through Clothes Giveaways. In 2024, Sarah’s Den distributed over 9,000 articles of clothing and shoes. Additionally, they operate a retail store selling donated items. What sets them apart is their focus on training the underemployed or those with limited experience. They offer training programs to help individuals build resumes, gain valuable work experience, and develop skills leading to independence. Certified Employment Specialists work closely with each individual to help them achieve their career goals and transition to their next position or career.
Tonya currently owns the PICF Training Institute, a program for young adults aging out of foster care or completing incarceration. She oversees the youth and staff of the program, writes the program policies and procedures, develops all forms and treatment models, and maintains program integrity through the licensure process. Ambitiously, Tonya seeks out and applies for various contracts and RFPs to expand service delivery. She has a strong history of marketing programs and creating community buy-in and alignment. In 2015, Tonya was honored as the Private Provider of the Year by the Central Virginia Partnership on Youth. In 2023, she received the Meritorious Service Award in Community Service from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice Association.
Tonya is a visionary, an outstanding team player, and a committed friend to all she associates with. She seeks partnerships that further develop the overall prosperity of her community. Tonya is also the former foster mother to her 32-year-old daughter and has six grandchildren, one of whom she plans to adopt. Tonya considers herself a lifelong learner and works diligently to help others develop to their full potential.
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The Sharvette Mitchell Radio Show | www.Sharvette.com
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