Communities in Action

UCM's Community Center

at Creekside Village

UCM's Creekside Village Community Day - May, 2008

UCM's Community in Action is a collaborative effort with the Fairfax County Departments of Community and Recreation Services and Systems Management for Human Services.

The core purpose of the Community in Action is to strengthen and build the resilience of the Creekside Village Community (formerly Janna Lee Village) Community so that its residents discover and share their many gifts, talents and capacities.  Everyone is a resource and serves to help the neighborhood thrive and sustain its appearance, health, safety, leadership and organization.

The Goals of Community in Action include:

• To develop a sustainable community and local leadership
• To develop local asset-rich relationships which result in support and community building
• to integrate strategies that promote community connectedness and cohesiveness resulting in citizen development and contribution as the foundation for sustained solutions to challenges
• To provide citizens with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve their community

Some of the programs offererd include:

Mothers Club

Stay-at-home Mom's with small children receive baby-sitting services from other community mothers, allowing them to better handle shopping, school and doctor visits and other appointments.  This program promotes community involvement, learning and improved communication.   

ESL (English Second Language) Classes

Designed to teach parents the language skills needed to better communicate with their children's schools, doctors and others.

  

Arts and Crafts

This program is directed towards the younger and older members of the community to facilitate learning, communication and the sharing of knowledge and talents.

Bus Stop Watch

Adults in the community are organized to be with the children in the morning and in the afternoon at the school bus stops to help maintain a secure and safe neighborhood.

Glory Happy Hats Project

This is a one-time introductory workshop for members of the community.  Youth make Glory Happy Hats, utilizing a 12-step assembly process to decorate the hats.  The Glory Happy Hats are then taken to hospitalized children in the area.  This program fosters youth ownership of the process, teaching communication skills, teamwork and self-discipline amidst an atmosphere of developing self-esteem, caring and 'giving-back' to the community.

   

If you live in the Creekside Village community and would like to become involved in the UCM Community Center, please contact:

Blanca Vasquez

Community Developer

7966 Janna Lee Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22306

703.347.6042 (Community Center Phone Number)

Monthly Activity Calendar

September, 2009

August, 2009

Community Day Festivities

Strong Partnership with the Mt. Vernon Station of the Fairfax County Police

Now this is Community!!!!

Who wants a hamburger and fries?

Ronald's Official Autograph

Everyone Loves Ronald!!