Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A group of high school students and their parents volunteered to host the February and March Life Skills Dinners for families in UCM’s transitional housing programs.
United Community Ministries (UCM) manages two transitional housing programs that include housing, intensive counseling, case management, and life skills classes. The Community Housing Resource Program (CHRP) moves families from homelessness to stability. A group of local teens and their parents volunteered to host the Feburary and March dinners for families in UCM's transitional housing programs. “We are grateful to our volunteers for the delicious dinners and assistance,” UCM's Journeys program case manager Caitlin Hollis, MSW, said in a release. “Our parents really appreciate and look forward to a home-cooked meal with other families. The workshops provide a chance to interact and share with other families who are dealing with similar…
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Harmony Heritage Singers will have a free-will offering to benefit UCM.
Local men's barbershop chorus The Harmony Heritage Singers will host their annual concert at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church on Sunday at 3 p.m. The program will include patriotic music. A free-will offering to benefit UCM's families will be collected. No tickets required for this event. For more information visit the Harmony Heritage Singers website.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
This year's event raised $54,000 to benefit UCM.
The friends of UCM hosted its annual Capitol Steps fundraiser Sunday night at the Mount Vernon Knights of Columbus Hall. The fundraiser was a "smash success," UCM Director Shirley Marshall said in an email. The fundraiser raised $54,000 to help families with food, rent, and counseling. The sold-out evening included hilarious skits from the Steps, as well as a two-minute, 30-year retrospective. The whole event was run by volunteers, Marshall said. The Friends of UCM organized, including getting sponsors and selling tickets; while Singles of Washington provided the servers. Sponsors included Information Technology Solutions and Consulting [ITSC], Fairfax County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics LAFF Local 2068, Alexander Lighting and …
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Capitol Steps will perform Sunday at the Friends of UCM annual benefit.
The Friends of UCM and Information Technology Solutions and Consulting (ITSC) will host The Capitol Steps' annual benefit performance Sunday for United Community Ministries. The Capitol Steps will perform a comedy routine about current events and politics. All proceeds will benefit United Community Ministries and its programs to help the neediest families on Route 1. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, including purchasing performance tickets. Tickets are $40 for a ticket that includes a cash bar or a $70 ticket includes reserved table seating, with complimentary food and drink. Click here to purchase your tickets online. The Capitol Steps' annual benefit performance will take place Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The grant supports efforts to end homelessness on Route 1.
Mount Vernon area nonprofit United Community Ministries was awarded a Future Fund grant from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. The Future Fund is the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s giving circle for young professionals. “In the two short years since it was established, the Future Fund has grown to over 100 engaged young professionals,” Eileen Ellsworth, president of the Community Foundation, said in a statement. “Their dedication to making a positive difference among Northern Virginia communities creates opportunities organizations like these winners to gain support in their effort to meet critical community needs.” This year’s grant recipients include Homestretch Inc. in Falls Church, Traditional Housing BARN …
Friday, December 14, 2012
New initiative depends on community involvement.
A new initiative uniting neighborhoods, schools, and community resources to help children succeed has started gaining traction. Opportunity Neighborhoods is a partnership between Fairfax County, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the community. Its mission is to nurture children from cradle to college to career, said Karla Bruce, Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Division Director for Regions 1 and 4. The initiative began a few years ago when Fairfax County and FCPS applied for the Promise Neighborhoods grant. Although they were not awarded the grant, it helped start a dialogue about helping youth reach their full potential. “The good news is it placed us in a conversation with one another about success and …
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
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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…
Friday, November 16, 2012
Local nonprofit will dedicate its food pantry to former executive director on Sunday.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Jessie Biele
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Friday, November 16, 2012
Local nonprofit United Community Ministries (UCM) will dedicate its food pantry in honor of former executive director Cynthia Hull on Nov. 18. Cynthia Hull died March 16 after a short battle with cancer. During her five year tenure at UCM, the number of clients the agency served nearly doubled. Currently, UCM distributes food every weekday to nearly 150 households as part of its Basic Needs program. UCM staff welcomes the Mount Vernon community to honor Cynthia and her service to others. The dedication will take place Nov. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. Call (571) 255-8964 to RSVP.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Take a look at this week's top headlines from the Route 1 corridor.
Each week, Patch brings you the top headlines from the Route 1 corridor. Mount Vernon Patch Fairfax County Police arrested dozens of suspects on drug and weapons charges as part of a yearlong investigation in Fairfax County. Maureen Moodie, Farm Director at Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture, has left Arcadia for a new job at Moutoux Orchards in Loudoun County. Fort Hunt Patch UCM, Shelter House Inc., and Northern Virginia Family Services joined forces to host the True Reality Sleep Out event on Friday. A development along Richmond Highway will be providing some funds toward an artificial turf field for a local high school, according to community updates Monday evening from Fairfax County Supervisor Gerry Hyland and others. However…
UCM Alexandria
10:23 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Thanks to our event sponsors and to everyone who came out to enjoy the fun evening and support UCM. For a list of all our event sponsors, go to: http://www.ucmagency.org/CapStepsSponsors_2013.html. Greg, we appreciate your ongoing support to help our neighbors in need! - Diane Hill, UCM Development & Communications Officer. more ›