Leveraging their personal resources and fueled by their desire to give back, local IT professionals from the DMV Chapter of ITServe Alliance raised funds to purchase 43 new, fully loaded laptops for individuals in Fairfax County who are facing the digital divide during the pandemic. On February 10, members of the group came to Britepaths to present the donation. Some computers are intended for K through 12 students who need them for virtual school. All will be distributed to clients and their children as the needs are identified.
Avenues to Career Training (ACT) student Alicia Salmon (pictured above) was the first client to receive a laptop on February 12, and Anil Atyam of ITServe Alliance presented it to her. She is so glad to have a computer to help her put her ACT training to use as she completes certification training and looks for a job in her chosen healthcare field. She said, "This is my new beginning." Read More
Celebrating Our Volunteers
For the last few years, we've invited our volunteers to our office during February for a Volunteer Appreciation celebration.
Since we can't gather in person yet, we're celebrating them virtually. Over the next few weeks, we'll spotlight various groups of volunteers on our web site and in our social media. Read More
We loved catching up with our wonderful Financial Assistance Volunteers on Feb. 9!
Be a Bright Futures Partner
Your monthly contribution to Britepaths will help our families help themselves to brighter futures by increasing our capacity to respond to needs as they arise and plan in advance. We hope you'll consider becoming a Bright Futures partner.
Please Share our wide-ranging Virtual Resources with anyone you know who might benefit! The Financial Empowerment Center at South County is partnering with the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service and Legal Services of Northern Virginia to hold a virtual workshop for qualified taxpayers on how to prepare their own taxes through the IRS Free File program. The free workshop is offered via Zoom on February 24, 3-5 p.m. FlyerRegister
Our Virtual Resources page helps community members connect to free Financial Counseling, Job Readiness Consulting, Classes and Workshops and more. Click Here
Can You Help?
Network Up Volunteers
Britepaths' short-term mentoring program Network Up is seeking Northern Virginia professionals to serve as volunteer mentors to our clients, who are seeking advice and networking help to advance their careers. Mentors meet two to five times virtually with their mentees. Click Here to Learn More. Contact Sally Meyer at 703.704.6101.
Volunteers to Teach Virtual Software Skills Class
The Financial Empowerment Center at South County is seeking volunteers adept at MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint to teach a Beginner/Intermediate Computer Skills course that will be offered free of charge to our clients via Zoom. The class will be held two evenings per week for six weeks. Either Mon./Wed. or Tues./Thurs., 6p-7:30p. Must have own computer and software and be able to connect to the Internet and teach from home. Training materials will be provided. Contact Sally Meyer at 703.704.6101.
Special Thanks
Food Bridge Supporters
Britepaths is so grateful to our Food Bridge Supporters for providing grocery store gift cards to our Food Bridge families. In February, we're sending grocery store gift cards to our clients thanks to our Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation grant.
We still have many openings on our 2021 Food Bridge Delivery Calendar. Can Your Organization Help? Donate Funds online, or contact Christina Garris if you or your organization can fulfill a whole or part delivery.
Giant Food
We are grateful to Giant Food for selecting Britepaths to be a beneficiary of its Community Bag Program at several local stores, and for all the ways they support our work each year. In February, you can help our families by purchasing their reusable shopping bags at the Giant at University Mall (10653 Braddock Rd., Fairfax) and telling your friends. Britepaths receives $1 from each bag sold. We are also thankful to the Oakton and Fairfax City Giant Food stores and their customers for supporting us in January.
Fairfax County Stuff the Bus Food Drives
Britepaths was glad to once again partner with Fairfax County for its Stuff the Bus Food Drives. Since our pantry is closed due to COVID-19 precautions, we participated in the Virtual Food Drive, and are so grateful to all who donated to us virtually, and also to those who donated in person to help stock our community partners' pantries and feed our hungry neighbors. Learn More
Resources: Please Share
Eviction Prevention Resources
If you know someone who is struggling to pay their rent or mortgage due to the pandemic, please pass on these resources.
Read Article by Britepaths' Martha Borowski on first steps you can take to advocate for yourself.
Click Here for Fairfax County resources and information.
Click Here for guidance about the CDC's National Eviction Moratorium.
Click Here for Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance's Eviction Prevention and Housing Stability Toolkit
The Expo offers a variety of resources for Northern Virginia residents seeking to rent or buy a home. Their web site offers virtual exhibits and free monthly workshops, in addition to a link to register for our Financial Counseling sessions. Learn More
Virtual Financial Literacy and Workforce Development Coaching and Classes
Services include free and confidential Financial Coaching, Workforce/Job Readiness Consulting, Small Business Consulting and Tax Preparation Consulting.
Fairfax County Services
Fairfax County staff are working hard across multiple agencies to assist County residents who are experiencing difficulties during COVID-19. Below are some resources to utilize and share with anyone you know who may need help. Fairfax County residents may call 703.222.0880 for information and referrals to services. Virginia residents outside Fairfax County may dial 211 to be connected with services in their community.
