United Community Ministries (UCM of Alexandria)

'Tis the Season: Support UCM WHERE YOU WORK

10/31/2016

Does your employer sponsor an annual workplace giving campaign -- such as a United Way campaign, or the Combined Federal Campaign for federal employees? Workplace giving is an effective and easy way to make a real difference for families in need.

Workplace giving is a means by which employees donate to the charities they care about, primarily through payroll pledges. Once a year, you decide which causes are important to you and contribute an amount of your choosing, often through paycheck deductions.

To support UCM via workplace giving:

Combined Federal Campaign: designate code 37839
United Way: designate code 8199

We also welcome the opportunity to speak at your workplace charity fair or other event. Email info@ucmagency.org.

Make your gift go even further! Many employers offer gift programs that match employee charitable contributions dollar for dollar or even "Dollars For Doers" programs where your volunteer time can translate to a financial gift to UCM. Talk with your human resources office about the charitable gift programs that your company offers.

Don't have a giving campaign at your office with payroll deduction? Setting up a recurring gift with your credit is a convenient option to help neighbors in need.

However you choose to give, we appreciate your support.

(October 2016)

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Fights Childhood Hunger with UCM

10/13/2016

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In recognition of National Childhood Hunger and Awareness Day on Oct. 16, the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., hosted two events to help United Community Ministries feed local children.

The group hosted a Healthy Snack drive on Sat., Oct. 15, at the Giant store on Richmond Hwy. to collect donations from community members. On Sun., Oct. 16, more than 50 sorority members, family members, and other community volunteers of all ages gathered at UCM to package 600 after-school snack packs. They also sorted other food collected from the drive to restock the Food Pantry.

The snack packs will provide brain power for youth who participate in after-school programs at UCM's Creekside Village Community Center and Sacramento Neighborhood Center.

"Thousands of working poor families in our area struggle to put food on the table," says Elizabeth McNally, UCM Deputry Executive Director. "Proper nutrition is critical to a child’s development and learning. Our goal is to ensure that families and children get the healthy food they need every day. We are grateful to all the volunteers, all the caring community members who donated food, and to the Lambda Kappa Omega chapter for choosing UCM for their AKA Impact Day project."

The events celebrating AKA Impact Day were in partnership with the Educational and Charitable Foundation.

View photo album>>

If your group or business would like to host a collection drive or other event to benefit UCM's families, email Emily Griffin, UCM Development Associate, or call her at 571.255.8992.

We welcome company, organization, church or local club groups who are interested to volunteer together, such as running the Food Pantry for an afternoon. Learn more>>

(October 2016)

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Counselors Provide Trauma-Informed Care

10/12/2016

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Individuals and families experiencing domestic violence are in the process of healing both physically and emotionally from multiple traumas. Financial emergencies, such as the sudden loss of income and the threat of eviction, are often related to domestic violence. Treating the effects is an important first step in embarking on a process towards restoration and healing. We asked UCM Program Manager and Clinical Supervisor Jeanne Mitchler-Fiks, LCSW, to share her thoughts on trauma-informed care.

Trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that has lasting adverse effect on the person's functioning and physical, social, emotional or spiritual well-being.

"Some trauma is easy to recognize: living in a war zone, having been raped, being a refugee, having been tortured, or living with an abuser. Some trauma is considered "normal," and we don't always appreciate the effect on the person: such as losing a close loved one, living in a home where there is abuse, or having a life threatening illness.

"UCM staff have been trained on the effects of trauma in our clients' lives and how to understand paths for recovery. It's extremely important to ensure that the client is not re-traumatized by or judgmental behavior. UCM counselors are trained to be a dependable source of hope and optimism for people in need."

During the National Association of Social Work annual conference, journalist Soledad O'Brien stated, 'Social workers find hope in hopeless situations. You find solutions. Like journalists you are not in it for the kudos, or the gobs of money.... You believe in the basic humanity of individuals. And, if you invest in people, you can make a difference.'

Jeanne continues: "This is exactly what the staff, volunteers, social work and counseling students do every day. They don't focus on the difficult and sometimes horrible things that have happened to clients. They help each individual focus on the future, on what is possible and how the person can make that vision a reality. It's not easy work but everyone who works here believes in people and their possibilities."

UCM is a member of Fairfax County's Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN), a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency effort to implement and support trauma-informed care initiatives across the Human Services System. It is an initiative of Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax.

(October 2016)

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Teens Honored with Presidential Volunteer Service Award

10/11/2016

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UCM honored three area high school students with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award at a special ceremony at United Community Ministries on Sept. 9. U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-8th) and Virginia Delegate Paul Krizek (D-44th) helped us celebrate and commended the young people for their service to others.

Honored were:

Jessica Kim, freshman at South County High School - Bronze Award
Jonathan Kim, junior at South County High School - Silver Award
Will Shute, senior at West Potomac High School - Silver Award

"We value highly the work that our volunteers contribute, their time and their energy," UCM Director of Business Operations Herb Lee told the group of invited guests. "We simply could not provide our services without the assistance of volunteers. So we applaud these youngsters today. We're delighted they chose UCM for their community service and especially pleased we can recognize them with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Thank you all very much for your service."

Siblings Jessica and Jonathan volunteered in the food pantry, and Will coordinated the summer Mount Vernon "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" food drive that collected 4,600+ pounds of food and over $2,500 for food purchases.

Rep. Beyer commended the teens and shared his thoughts on the role and value of community service:

"We're very proud of the role UCM has played -- proud and grateful -- in the lives of so many people for so many years. 10,000 people a year is an enormous, enormous impact. So thank you very much. I really came to thank Jessica, Jonathan, and Will for earning the President's Award. I didn't have a chance to talk to the President today about this, but I know he's proud of you too. I just want to offer 3 things:

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Community Partner Spotlight: Alexandria South Rotary Club Develops Leaders

10/7/2016

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Alexandria South Rotary Club's Family Retreat 2016 with Area Community Leaders and their Families

The Alexandria South Rotary Club has helped UCM develop community leaders for more than 10 years, most via the Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon initiative (ON Mount Vernon).

Club members lead programs, including:

ESOL mentoring program provides intensive English language instruction for all area residents.
Women’s Hoop provides ongoing mentoring to middle and high school girls. Activities include self defense, art, cooking, yoga, and career development.

Leadership training workshops for resident focuses on asset inventory strategies, community vision and mobilization, and community assets mapping. Participants learn leadership skills on how to become active leaders in their community. Other workshops include youth and adult leadership training.

Youth group outings and activities: Club members mentor young people as they navigate their path to adulthood. The program reinforces the importance of students' academic accomplishments and volunteerism.

Annual family retreat weekend: community leaders are invited to a weekend getaway to West Virginia to undertake planning activities for the coming year and how they can effectively reach their individual community goals.

To get involved with the Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon activities, contact UCM Community Developer, Blanca Vasquez.

(October 2016)

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Harmony Friends Community Clean up

10/5/2016

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What a great turnout of the Harmony Friends Community for their clean up of Little Hunting Creek on Sat. Oct. 29, 2016! That's UCM Community Developer, Blanca Vasquez, at center (in tan) who coordinates UCM's resident engagement for the Opportunity Neighborhood Mount Vernon initiative. Everyone has a critical part to play "At the Heart of Community" -- thanks for helping!

(October 2016)

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UCM Early Learning Center Celebrates 30 Years

10/4/2016

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Planting the Seeds of Success through the Decades
We appreciate everyone who joined us on June 5, 2016, to celebrate this amazing milestone of our UCM Early Learning Center, founded in 1986. All event proceeds benefited our Mount Vernon Kids programs. View our event photo album

"As we reflect on the Center, I'm reminded of the words of the American author and educator, Neil Postman, 'Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see,' " remarked Elizabeth McNally, UCM Deputry Executive Director as she welcomed attendees. "What were the program's original founders imagining when they opened our Center 30 years ago? Perhaps it was not simply to provide child care or the possibility of opportunity for children, but to make a promise. A promise that all children, regardless of race, creed, or circumstance have a real opportunity to achieve their full potential. Our Center is the embodiment of that promise -- opportunity made real."

"By delivering strong services and interventions in childrens' early years, we have a chance to reduce -- and ultimately prevent -- the achievement gap," she continued. "Today, we celebrate our past accomplishments and we draw upon the energy in this room and the inspiration of those we are honoring to propel ourselves into the future of our Early Learning Center. You are all an important part of that future --whether as a program participant, a volunteer, an employee, a member of the Board, a financial supporter, or a champion in the community."

We extend a special thanks to:

Delegate Paul Krizek (44th Virginia) for agreeing to be our emcee.
Our event sponsor Saint Luke's Episcopal Church for sponsoring our celebration -- and to so many caring community members who made a donation in honor of this milestone anniversary. We also thank Jeffery's Catering and Occasionally Cake for their donations of delicious food for our event.
Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, who presented us with a Resolution from the Fairfax Board of Supervisors to honor the UCM Early Learning Center for its 30 years of quality service educating our youngest community members.
The many parents and families who shared their memories and words of thanks to the staff and teachers -- including the Davis, McKay, Molden, and Whalen families.
Our teen dancers from UCM Creekside Community Center.
Our many generous grant and community funders, for their support through the decades. Read list
The Mount Vernon Voice newspaper for covering our celebration. Read the full page color article on page 8 in the June 8 issue.

Pictured with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Resolution honoring the UCM Early Learning Center are (from left): Elizabeth McNally, UCM Deputy Executive Director; Board Members Jim Seeley, Suzy Coffey, Claudia Creo, and Diane Brooks; Center Director Torria Baker; UCM Board Vice Chair Janet Heddesheimer; Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay, Lee District; and UCM Board Treasurer Joe Conti.

PreK Teach Lolita Sellers Honored for 25 Years
At the event, we honored teacher Lolita Sellers for her 25 years of teaching Pre-Kindergarten.

"It is an honor and a privilege to speak on the recognition of Ms.Lolita for 25 years of serving children and families," said Center Director Torria Baker. "Ms. Lolita facilitates thinking, engages minds, listens, and encourages exploration, imagination and creativity. She's a dedicated professional, the first one to arrive and sometimes the last to leave."

"She supports us through any struggle with a certain calming leadership. Ms. Lolita hugs away fears and tears. She plants seeds of interest and intrigue. She cultivates dreams. She is always evolving, reinventing herself, and keeping up with the times.... No matter how young or old you are, she has an amazing ability to inspire you to wonder why, what, how... She embodies the saying: 'Teaching creates all other professions.'"

"I appreciate all the good wishes from my past students and their parents," said Lolita. "And seeing so many of my former students, now all grown up. I am truly honored."

Did your child or a special someone you know attend our Center? Would you like to share a note of thanks to Ms. Lolita? We'd love to hear your stories! Email us at info@ucmagency.org.

(Oct. 2016 - Diane Hill)

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'Tis the Season: Support UCM WHERE YOU WORK

Alpha Kappa Alpha Fights Childhood Hunger with UCM

Counselors Provide Trauma-Informed Care

Teens Honored with Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Community Partner Spotlight: Alexandria South Rotary Club Develops Leaders

Harmony Friends Community Clean up

UCM Early Learning Center Celebrates 30 Years

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