Grateful for Our Village!
We mailed grocery store gift cards to our Food Bridge families last week thanks to a generous donation from Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church! One of the recipients, Ms. S, wrote: "Thank you so much for providing help. I am a single mom and do what I can to make it so that my daughter will have a better life. It’s awesome to know that there are good people in the world that are helpers."
It truly takes a village to help families like Ms. S, and we're so grateful for ours! OLGC held a donation drive on June 8 and raised $6,500 to provide food deliveries to our families this month and in December. Our friends at Unity of Fairfax are also raising funds and gift cards right now to assist our families at the end of June. We're so thankful for our Food Bridge Supporting Organizations. Can your organization help too? We still have many holes in our Delivery Calendar. Contact Christina Garris at 703.273.8829.
In other Food news, we're reopening our Food Pantry and are welcoming your donations! Read below for details.
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Back to School: The Need is Greater Than Ever!
There is no doubt that the pandemic has been hard on families, and the proof can be seen in our Collect for Kids Back to School Program. Typically we purchase school supplies for 2,500 local students. But this spring when we asked the social workers and counselors at our FCPS Partner Schools to tell us us how many kids needed help, they sent us requests for more than 4,000! Because we know our community is so generous, we decided to rise to the challenge and commit to helping all the students who need it.
Will YOU Help Us Meet the Challenge? We need to raise $40,000 by August to provide all the needed supply kits to our Partner Schools.
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Britepaths has 3 job opportunities. Please share with anyone you know who might be interested. Apply by June 25.
- Computer-Tech Instructor in Alexandria
- Outreach Manager in Fairfax
- Programs Manager in Fairfax
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SAVE THE DATE!
We can't wait to reconnect!
Artful Living: Connected
Thursday, October 21, 2021
7 pm to 10 pm
Country Club of Fairfax
5110 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA
We're Seeking:
Art Submissions, Event Sponsors and Planning Committee Volunteers!
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Pantry Reopening: Help Us Stock Up! |
Due to the pandemic, we closed down our Food Pantry in March 2020, and eventually sent all the food and supplies that were left to Food for Others. With Virginia opening up again, we're ready to reopen.
We need everyone's help to restock the Pantry! We accept donations at our office in Fairfax Mon.-Fri., 10a-2p or by appointment. Please Call Ahead! Contact 703.273.8829 or info@britepaths.org.
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The saga of Jean Schiro-Zavela's journey to receive her 2020 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award is a lengthy one. She had been scheduled to receive it at a ceremony in Richmond in April 2020, but due to the pandemic that ceremony was cancelled, the awards were announced virtually in November 2020, and she was finally recognized by Governor Ralph Northam in a virtual ceremony on May 20, 2021! The award itself was sent to Britepaths in December 2020, and in February, Jean came in to receive her award. Please join us in congratulating Jean! We are so proud of her and so grateful for her service.
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Shop for Good This Summer |
There are many great ways to support Britepaths while you shop at these local businesses this summer!
MyWalgreens Rewards: You can donate your Walgreens Cash Rewards to Britepaths through August 31.
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Volunteer EBT Coordinator |
Help community members who receive SNAP benefits use their EBT benefits at Fairfax County's Annadale Farmers Market on Thursday mornings during the season. Requires being on site every other Thursday, 7:15a-12:30p, May 6-Nov. 4. Must be 18 or older. Click Here for details. Contact Christina Garris at cgarris@britepaths.org.
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We got another visit from our friends at the American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax City last week! They presented us with $1,000 to help our Food Bridge families. They have been supporting the food programs of 10 local organizations during the pandemic, and we're so grateful to them for helping our families.
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Virtual Financial Literacy and Workforce Development Coaching and Classes |
Britepaths and the Financial Empowerment Center at South County continue to offer a variety of free services and classes via the internet. Services include free and confidential Financial Coaching, Workforce/Job Readiness Consulting, Small Business Consulting and Tax Preparation Consulting. Please share our Virtual Services page with anyone you know who might benefit. Join our LinkedIn Group to receive updates on offerings and services.
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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
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Free Financial Coaching via NOVA Housing Expo |
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 Coaching sessions. Learn More
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Fairfax County Area Services |
Fairfax County staff are working hard across multiple agencies to assist County residents (including residents of the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and towns of Clifton, Herndon and Vienna) 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.
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Britepaths
Our Mission is to provide our neighbors in need with short-term safety-net services and empower them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency.
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