Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sherry Edelkamp has coordinated the VIC-HOP: program for the last six years.
Mount Vernon-area nonprofit New Hope Housing named Sherry Edelkamp as its Outstanding Employee of the Quarter at its recent quarterly staff meeting for her outstanding work with volunteers and coordinating initiatives to help the homeless. Edelkamp was recognized for her work as the Coordinator of the Ventures in Community Hypothermia Outreach Program (VIC-HOP) for six years as well as her work to coordinate and oversee Fairfax County’s 100K Homes Program registry week in southern Fairfax County. “Sherry embodies New Hope Housing’s philosophy of hope and hospitality, dignity and respect," New Hope Housing Executive Director Pam Michell said in a statement. "She sets the tone for VIC-HOP. Her respect for residents, her compassion, and her …
Friday, November 30, 2012
Mount Vernon area nonprofits are in need of donations and a helping hand this holiday season.
'Tis the season to give. These Mount Vernon area nonprofits are in need of donations this holiday season so they can continue to help at-risk and low-income families in our area. Help brighten a family's holiday and take a look at the list of needs below. New Hope Housing needs help with the following: Christmas food baskets; grocery gift cards (Safeway, Shoppers, Giant); adopt a family for Christmas (wish lists are available); adopt a single adult. New Hope Housing works with at-risk and low-income families on the Richmond Highway corridor. Contact Chris Bramante at cbramante@newhopehousing.org. United Community Ministries recently distributed more than 23,000 pounds of food to more than 800 families. The demand has exhausted its food …
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Mount Vernon area nonprofit dedicated its revamped food pantry to its late executive director.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Jessie Biele
-
Monday, November 19, 2012
UCM board members, staffers, and the heads of local nonprofits joined together to dedicate UCM's revamped food pantry to late executive director Cynthia Hull. Hull passed away in March 2012 after a short battle with cancer. Her colleagues gathered Sunday to share their memories of her and celebrate her life. "Cynthia always had the passion to do the right thing for the community, and I think it's only fitting, during the week of Thanksgiving, we are here to dedicate the food pantry to her," Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay remarked. The new food pantry is a place where people can come select what they need. There is a new refrigerator and the shelves are organized by food type. UCM Board President Doug Kennett said the new food pantry is…
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Group has seen more families in need of food at its pantry in October.
Last Tuesday, United Community Ministries (UCM) hit a new daily record high for distributing food to those in need. Two hundred and six families were served that day, compared with the 150 families on average that are served daily. So far in October 2012, volunteers at UCM have distributed 23,000 pounds of food to more than 800 families. UCM is now seeking food donations to keep its pantry full. “Our pantry is getting bare, and there are two ways you can help now,” UCM Executive Director Shirley Marshall said in a statement. Here’s how you can help: Bring your food donations to UCM’s Fordson Road location. Items can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Items most needed in the pantry are: canned meat and tuna, soups…
Friday, September 28, 2012
The auction will benefit the nonprofit’s outreach programs.
Mount Vernon nonprofit Progreso Literacy and Citizenship Center will host its first annual art auction Friday night at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. “We’re excited because we’ve never done this before,” Executive Director Cristina Schoendorf said. The live art auction will feature pieces of art of varying prices. Featured artists include Degas, Van Gogh, Ansel Adams, Peter Max, and Normal Rockwell. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring prizes including gift certificates from local restaurants. Tickets are $12 at the door and include refreshments. The preview begins at 7 p.m. and the auction takes place at 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit Progreso. For more information email art_auction@progreso-hispano.org.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Marshall discusses how UCM is addressing poverty and making a difference in the Route 1 corridor.
Patch recently sat down with Shirley Marshall, the new executive director of United Community Ministries, who began her tenure at UCM earlier this month to see how the job is going. Marshall took over the agency after executive director Cynthia Hull passed away in March. The agency hosted an open house in September to give the community an inside look at the organization. Patch: The Route 1 area includes both very wealthy and very poor households. How is poverty often "hidden" in the corridor? Shirley Marshall: Most poor people are too tired and too focused on survival to be more visible! Truly, working two jobs, caring for children and elderly, taking long commutes, and still struggling to pay rent: who has time to be outside? And the …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Mount Vernon nonprofit was among six D.C. area organizations that were awarded $5,000 grants.
Mount Vernon nonprofit Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services received a grant from the WHF Foundation last week. The WHF Foundation awarded $5,000 grants to six D.C. area nonprofits that serve women through financial literacy, housing assistance, and life skills programs. The following nonprofits were awarded grants: • Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless • Calvary Women’s Services • Doorways • Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, Inc. • Interfaith Works • Open Arms Housing “We are grateful to have the WHF Foundation as a longstanding supporter helping us to give low-income families a fresh start toward stable housing,” GSH Executive Director Shannon Steene said. “An important tool that the WHF Foundation and GSH value…
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Chronicle of Philanthropy details residents' charitable giving.
Mount Vernon residents have contributed $20.4 million to charity, according to recent data published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Residents in the 22309 zip code of all income levels contribute 5.8 percent of their income to various charitable causes, with a median contribution of $3,181, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. That puts 22309 residents at a rank of 1,522 out of more than 28,700. The Chronicle of Philanthropy published data this weekend on how much residents of every ZIP code in the United States donate to charity, based on 2008 itemized IRS tax return information. Fairfax County is ranked 20th in the nation with contributions totalling $906.9 million. On average, Fairfax County residents donate 5 percent of their…
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Families in New Hope Housing summer programs were treated to a Saturday picnic full of fun and games.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
-
Thursday, August 16, 2012
On August 11, resident families in New Hope Housing shelter programs were treated to an end of summer picnic at Pohick Episcopal Church in Alexandria. Thirty-five residents, including twenty children, enjoyed food, games, prizes and a day of summer fun. Led by Colonel Scot Greig with assistance from Captain Melissa Johnson from Fort Belvoir, this annual event was organized and sponsored by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew with assistance from the Pohick Church Ladies Guild. New Hope Housing is a nonprofit agency that has provided shelter and support services for homeless men, women and children in Northern Virginia since 1978. New Hope Housing operates nine shelter programs including the Eleanor U. Kennedy shelter outside the Tully Gate at …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Renovations have cancelled the White Elephant fundraiser.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Jessie Biele
-
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Good Shepherd Catholic Church International Festival is facing a few changes in its 37th year. Due to the ongoing church renovations, the festival’s biggest fundraiser, the White Elephant, has been cancelled this year. The International Festival committee has had to brainstorm ways to recoup revenue lost from the fundraiser, International Festival coordinator Lou Volchansky said. Volchansky told Patch that the White Elephant will return next year. In the meantime, the committee has decided to put on a 5K run and 1K family walk on Sept. 1, two days before the festival. “No matter what shape you’re in, you can run as well as help,” Volchansky said. Last year’s Artisan Row proved so popular, it expanded from four artisans to 16 this year…
UCM Alexandria
2:26 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012
Thanks Jessie for joining us and the article! more ›