February 2016
Community Connections
Your monthly update on what we do and how you can help
Snowmaggeddon 2016 
We are happy to report that our affordable and transitional housing clients stayed warm and dry during this epic event. Special shout-out to our building engineer, Eric Lopez, who criss-crossed northern Virginia to buy salt then manually shovel our Elbert Avenue driveways and walkways. Read more about Eric here. Big thanks to Nelson Vasquez, our assistant building engineer, and our residents who helped out too. 


Meet Gail Renwick - our Newest Intern
Meet our newest intern, Gail Renwick! Gail is getting her Masters in Social Work from George Mason University and is working at Brent Place twice a week until early May. She wants to learn about all of our programs so we hope to see her at all of our Community Lodgings sites and programs. Welcome, Gail! We're glad you are part of our team!



Grants, Fundraising and All Things Green
Quick! What was that flash? That was our Spring Forward event committee getting sponsors! We've never seen such motivation. Oh, this event is gonna be huge! You will join us on April 10, won't you? Get your ticket now and we will see you on April 10 from 5-8 p.m. at Old Town's Union Street Pub.

Big shout out to the Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company, who generously donated $5,000 to us! We are thrilled to have such a generous corporate partner and proud to call them "friend."
Learning Centers
January 18 - It was a busy holiday for us. Volunteer Alexandria and Burgundy Farm Country Day School selected us as their volunteer site and made 140 emergency go-kits just in time for the winter storm. T hat same day our kids spent the afternoon at Excella Consulting's Impact Extravaganza Carnival. Our kids  participated in science fair projects, face painting, moon bouncing and more. 
           

February 1 - Don't let this photo fool you - over 50 parents, mentor and mentees met at our New Brookside site to get to know each other and discuss how parents could get more involved. No surprise that they loved our mentors and thanked them many times for the great job that they do!

February 4 - Our very first volunteer after school tutor open house, held at our Fifer and Brent Place sites, brought us some new candidates, we hope! We really, really need more after school tutors. Please help us spread the word.

February 11, 12, 18 and 19 - You will find our Family Learning Center staff attending Alexandria City Public Schools' Parent/Teacher conferences for elementary and middle school students in our program. That allows our staff to  know how the students are doing in school and how we can continue to provide a productive and stable environment for them.

February 12 - Family Learning Center staff and volunteers will receive a training on working with children with special needs. Please contact Melanie Ficke, [email protected] to RSVP.
Transitional Housing
Remember our hugely successful Youth Employment Program and  how nearly all of our placed students won awards and accolades from the city last year (see the happy photo below)? It's time for us to out-do ourselves ... our Youth Job Training Workshops are coming soon to prepare students aged 14 and older to interview with and be hired for local employment through the Alexandria Workforce Development Center. All students must have a Social Security Card and picture ID. Contact Charlyne Braxton, [email protected] for details. 


Quick! What was that flash? That was our Spring Forward event committee getting sponsors! We've never seen such motivation. Oh, this event is gonna be huge! You will join us on April 10, won't you? Get your ticket now and we will see you on April 10 from 5-8 p.m. at Old Town's Union Street Pub.

Big shout out to the Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company, who generously donated $5,000 to us! We are thrilled to have such a generous corporate partner and proud to call them "friend."
One final note...It's Spring2ACTion Time Again!
Fundraising may not be your thing, but if it is, we'd love your help with this year's Spring2ACTion one-day online fundraiser on April 20. Yep, we know it's 10 days after Spring Forward. All we're asking you to do is to let your friends know about it and maybe share some updates that day on your social media. If you're feeling braver you can become a "free agent fundraiser" and set up your own page. Interested? Email Jane Collins at [email protected] or call (703) 549-4407.
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