"I’m proud to say that my credit score has been over 700 for over a year now, and during COVID (2020) I was able to purchase my first home as a single mom!!! We moved in September of 2020. That is a goal and dream I had all but given up on..."
Congratulations to Melinda, who previously worked with our wonderful volunteer Financial Mentor Josephine Johnson to improve her financial situation. In August 2021, she wrote to Financial Literacy Director Marcelle Miles to recommend a friend for our Mentoring program, and she shared this fabulous update.
"It’s been a few years since I was blessed to have been introduced to your program. Josephine holds a special place in my heart for all that she did for me. I’m proud to say that my credit score has been over 700 for over a year now, and during COVID (2020) I was able to purchase my first home as a single mom!!! We moved in September of 2020. That is a goal and dream I had all but given up on, especially since I was getting closer to 50 during the time Josephine and I met. Here I am 50 and a home owner thanks to all your program and Josephine has done. Thank you!"
We're so proud of Melinda and excited for her and her daughter. Thank you to Josephine for helping her help herself to a brighter future, and thanks to YOU for supporting our work to empower neighbors like Melinda!
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Britepaths has 2 job opportunities. Please share with anyone you know who might be interested. A few more positions coming soon: stay tuned!
- Computer-Tech Instructor in Alexandria
- Workforce Development Manager in Alexandria
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Thanks for Helping Our Kids Go Back to School! |
A big thank you to all who donated to our Collect for Kids Back to School program! We exceeded our goal to raise $40,000 to assist 4,250 students at Fairfax HS, Justice HS and their feeder schools. This is twice the amount of students we normally serve. We appreciate everyone who stepped up and helped us rise to the challenge!
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Twins Ace Hardware Fairfax co-owner Craig Smith met up with us at Daniels Run ES on Monday to present a check to Britepaths for $2,000 from their July round up campaign! In the photo: Craig is in the center with Daniels Run social worker June Bloedorn and Principal Christopher Smith.
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Closet of Herndon Donation Helps Feed Students in Need |
Britepaths is grateful to The Closet of the Greater Herndon Area, Inc. for providing a $3,500 grant to our Food4Thought program. In total they donated $45,000 to 10 local organizations for the second quarter of 2021. This is their third year of supporting this program, which offers funding, food donations and technical assistance to partner schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools system so the schools can provide weekend or supplemental food to students in need. Britepaths will use the grant funds to help schools purchase food, gift cards or other necessities to assist their students. The Closet has also invited us to refer families we serve to receive vouchers to shop for clothes at the store.
In 2020, Food4Thought assisted 1,309 students in our 21 FCPS partner schools. We are in the process of gathering information from them on how best to assist them as they start up their programs for the new school year.
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On August 17, The Closet's President, Gene Wiley, visited Food4Thought partner Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston to present the grant award to Britepaths staff. He met with Principal Aimee Monticchio and Counselor Mark Blocker, who oversees the program at the school. Mark said he is excited to be receiving some of these funds to get their program back up and running this year. They typically provide food, fresh fruit and grocery store gift cards to students with identified need.
In the photo: Gene Wiley is at center with Britepaths' Dorothy Altmiller and Christina Garris, Langston Hughes' Mark Blocker and Aimee Monticchio and Britepaths' Mila Cobos.
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Pantry Donations are Coming In! |
Our emergency Food Pantry is starting to fill up, and we have begun to offer food and supplies to local families in crisis. Thank you to everyone who has donated!
We still need help to stock up! 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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A huge thank you to our friends in the Old Lee Hills neighborhood of Fairfax City who collected food at "Hugo the Gargoyle's" Little Free Library throughout July. They donated a total of 713 pounds, 606 items and $350 in grocery store gift cards. So grateful to the Jaworski and McCarthy families for spearheading this effort and matching donations, the Old Town Fairfax Business Association for sponsoring, and to the many donors who supported this effort.
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Best Wishes to Our Intern Sara |
Join us in wishing a fond farewell to our summer intern Sara Young, who recently headed back to Virginia Tech for her senior year. She is at right with her mom Mila Cobos, our long-time Operations Administrator, who just became our Programs Manager. Sara did a wonderful job in our office this summer and was such a joy to have with us. We will miss her, and wish her all the best.
If you know Mila and her family, you know they are all so bright, generous and quick to step up and help. We enjoyed having daughter Ana Young on staff last year, and along with their younger brother Daniel Young, they have all volunteered in various ways over the years. Her husband Craig Young has also supported our work in various ways. We and our families are so blessed to have them with us.
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This month, our Shepherd's Gate Grant from Good Shepherd Catholic Church is helping feed our families. The grant was made possible through proceeds from their annual International Festival, which is taking place on Labor Day weekend, September 4-6. Click Here to learn more.
We still need organizations to help this fall! Can your organization commit to a Sunday on our Delivery Calendar this year to help fulfill this great need? During the pandemic, we're mailing gift cards, but in regular times, some organizations choose to deliver a combination of supplies and gift cards. Click Here to learn more. Click Here to donate funds that will help cover holes in our Calendar. Contact Christina Garris at 703.273.8829 with questions.
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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.
NEW and Coming Soon at FECSoCo:
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Avenues to Career Training Healthcare: New virtual session Sept. 13-Nov. 5, Mon.-Fri., 1-3p. Virtual Info session on Aug. 24 at 1p. In partnership with Fairfax County Department of Housing. Click Here for flyer.
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NEW Food Entrepreneur Consultatations: Virtual, by appointment only. Schedule a consultation on Monday or Wednesday evenings. Available in English and Spanish. Flyers: English; Spanish
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Coming Soon: Avenues to Career Training IT: Stay tuned!
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Rent Relief/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.
Click Here for Fairfax County resources and information
Click Here for Virginia Rent Relief Program Flyer (pdf)
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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