Opportunity with Learning Rocks! Summer Camp

Volunteering on Ice

A modified version of this post was originally shared on Voluntary Happiness.

About two years ago, I reached out to Arlington County's Therapeutic Recreation Office to see if they had any opportunities that might work well for the Community Volunteer Network. At the time, I was started to take a more active role in the group and helping individuals with disabilities was missing from the group's activities.

The first activity the group approached us to help with was a family ice skating night. Truth be told, I cannot really ice skate. I can propel myself slowly across the ice by moving my right leg just a few inches at a time and keeping my arms straight out to the side for balance. Fortunately, my fellow volunteers came through and most of them were able to take the lead.

Last year, the opportunity came up again, but rather than fear the ice as I had done last year, I went in with a big smile determined to set a good example. Before long, I was on the ice with a tiny hand holding my left hand with all her might. She looked up at me with an expression that said both "Come on grown-up, let's go!" and "Please don't let me fall." With a nod from a fellow volunteer, I pushed off from the wall and we slowly made our way around the rink. Neither one of us fell and before long, she was doing just fine on her own. I helped a few more kids that evening and even did a few rounds on my own. It wasn't fast and I never really learned how to stop, aside from just running into the wall, but I was having fun and so were the kids.

The event is coming up again this year. Will I be there? Absolutely! And this time, I have a renewed sense of confidence to share with the kids. 

If you'd like to volunteer with Therapeutic Recreation (same group I wrote about before with #1: We Ask That You Be Patient), CVN is helping out for the ice skate night on Friday, March 16th, and there are a few open slots. Please note that they have enough volunteers to help off the ice, so a skill level slightly higher than mine will be helpful!

Also, to get involved long-term, some of their opportunities are listed on Volunteer Arlington in the Parks & Recreation  list. Or, let me know what you'd like to do and I'll put you in touch with the right person.

Invitation to County's PLACE Initiative Open House

The Arlington County Board has launched PLACE – Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement – an initiative that builds on Arlington's valued tradition of civic engagement known as “the Arlington Way.”  The goal of PLACE is to expand Arlington’s civic conversation by identifying and linking the many organizations that serve the community and strengthening the relationships between these organizations, the people they serve and County government.  The Community Volunteer Network is proud to partner with the County Board on this initiative.

On March 15th or 17th, we encourage you to attend an open house to learn more about the PLACE initiative and opportunities for civic engagement in the County. More information on the event and how to RSVP is in invitation below:

Keeping Our PLACE Great. Together. Help us Kick-off PLACE County Board Chair Mary Hynes, the County Board, the County Manager and community leaders want you to represent your organization at the kick-off for PLACE, (Participation, Leadership and Civic Engagement). Join Arlington's communitywide effort to broaden, deepen and improve the way we engage with one another to make key decisions that shape our County's future. WHO Representatives of community organizations and groups who care passionately about Arlington -- and want to revitalize the Arlington Way. (Please forward this invite to groups you know). WHAT An Open House and community engagement workshop where you will: Learn more about PLACE and how you can help ensure its success. Include your organization in a community map of Arlington's civic society. Share your ideas in small group discussions with County government and civic activists eager to help build better connections between County government and our diverse community. Join the effort to create a framework for open, accountable, responsive government and constructive civic engagement. WHEN Choose your 90-minute session. Thursday, Mar. 15     • 6:00 - 7:30pm     • 7:30 - 9:00 pm Saturday, Mar. 17     • 9 - 10:30am     • 10:30 - noon     • Noon - 1:30 Register online or call Hilda Quinteros at 703-228-3249 for assistance. WHERE Metro-accessible Artisphere, in Rosslyn,1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 (parking is free!). Detailed directions online. Reasonable accommodations made. BONUS! After your session, you're invited to tour Artisphere's fabulous Frida Kahlo exhibit  – the only North American exhibit of the artist's recently discovered photographs. PLACE Open House Partners – the list keeps growing! Arlington Chamber of Commerce Arlington Civic Federation Arlington Committee of 100 Arlington County Government Arlington Interfaith Council Arlington Independent Media Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment Community Volunteer Network    County Council of PTAs Edu-Futuro Hispanic Committee of Virginia (El Comité Hispano) Inter-Service Club Council LULAC Council 4606 Leadership Arlington League of Women Voters of Arlington NAACP-Arlington National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 7 -- Arlington Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations Virginia Cooperative Extension

Fostering Academic Achievement in South Arlington

The Nonprofit

Greenbrier Learning Center (GLC) was founded in 1994 at the request of parents, teachers, and community members seeking after school tutoring and enrichment activities for the children of South Arlington.

Greenbrier Learning Center’s mission is to promote education, youth leadership and strong families through structured enrichment programs beyond the school day.  Utilizing a community-driven approach, GLC (1) fosters academic achievement and personal growth among our afterschool students; (2) acts as a resource for youth and adults; and (3) increases collaboration among service providers in Northern Virginia.

The Programs

GLC has 2 main programs: Learning ROCKS! and Parent Connection.

(1) Learning ROCKS!: GLC’s flagship program that provides afterschool assistance to 60 South Arlington 3rd-5th graders at two different sites, Greenbrier Baptist Church and Virginia Gardens Apartments. . Learning ROCKS! focuses on four themes: Literacy, Community and Culture, Healthy Lifestyles, and Life Skills.

 (2) Parent Connection: GLC provides weekly topic-based, informational workshops and leadership opportunities for parents and adults at three sites. Workshops are conducted in the evenings and support three distinct objectives:

·         Parents are able to effectively engage in and support their child’s education;

·         Adults are able to identify criteria that create optimum home and community environments;

·         Adults are able to develop their individual skills and interests and to become community leaders. 

Both Learning ROCKS! and Parent Connection are supported by GLC’s Learning Links AmeriCorps team:  AmeriCorps Members seek to provide service across the three aspects of a child’s life: in school, after school, and in the community. This is done through partnerships with four local elementary schools in Arlington County, providing support during Learning ROCKS!, and providing topic-based workshops for adults at three sites.

Sign up to help!

Greenbrier Learning Center is proud to announce that they will be partnering with Acumen Solutions for their 3rd Annual Race for a Cause™ 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run race on Sunday, October 16, 2011 in Arlington, VA. There are 3 ways that you can help GLC win:

• Register! Visit www.theraceforacause.com to register for the 8K or 1 Mile Fun Run. Be sure to choose GLC as the nonprofit you wish to support!

• Sponsor! Not able to make it to the race? You can still help GLC win by sponsoring a student, parent, or AmeriCorps Member to participate in the race. Visit www.raceforgreenbrier.eventbrite.com and choose who you wish to sponsor. It’s that simple!

• Spread the word! Tell family members, friends, and co-workers about this amazing opportunity to support a local nonprofit!

For more information about Greenbrier Learning Center and the Race for a Cause, visit www.greenbrierlearning.org or email Jilian Kuntz, Volunteer and Outreach AmeriCorps Member, at jilian@greenbrierlearning.org.

Practice What You Preach: Emergency Preparedness

This post was originally shared on Voluntary Happiness.

Back in May, I wrote about preparing to help during a disaster.  This week has definitely been a test of how prepared we really are, not just as volunteers, but as individuals who may face emergency situations on our own.   With this week's surprise earthquake, I learned that I was not prepared for an emergency at all, though I could talk all day about ways to get involved in emergency preparedness and response.  For example, my co-workers and I evacuated our building during the earthquake.  Once we got outside, I had no idea that there was a meeting spot for my team.  My cell phone was charged enough that I could call my husband and check out Facebook and Twitter, but the battery was low within about 30 minutes.  When I got home, I realized that we don't have a ready kit, gallons of water, or enough non-perishable food in case of a power outage.  The lesson here is:  practice what you preach (and better late than never).

There's still time to prepare for Hurricane Irene and the preparation now will save you time and worry in the future:

• American Red Cross: Hurricane Safety Checklist
• Ready Virginia: Prepare an Emergency Kit
• Sign up for Arlington Alerts or alerts in your area

Here are some simple reminders:

• Keep your cell phone charged
• Stock up on food and water
• Prepare for high wind by bringing things inside
• Make sure your car is filled with gas
• Have a plan in case you need to evacuate

For updates throughout the weekend, follow @ArlingtonVEST and@VolunteerARL on Twitter.  In addition to the County's media, those feeds will give you information on volunteer opportunities that may arise as result of the hurricane.

Stay safe!

Tell Arlington's Story: Come join the Story Swapping Workshop!

Back in March, we told you about Tell Arlington's Story, an oral history project that creates friendships and bonds within our community. Check out the stories on the Tell Arlington's Story website and feel free to share yours via video, audio, or written text.

You are invited to attend the second Community Story Swapping Workshop on Tuesday July 19, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The workshop will take place at the Westover Library (1644 N McKinley Rd, Arlington, Virginia 22205).

RSVP Today: Click here or call 703-228-0751. We hope to see you there!

Special thanks to Dulce Carrillo from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources of Arlington for sharing information about this fascinating project with us at this month's meet-up!

Congratulations to CVN's Recurring Volunteering Committee

Earlier this month, CVN's Recurring Volunteering Committee received an Arlington County Outstanding Volunteer Team Award for their service in 2010.

The 2010 committee consisted of Meredith Meade, Marjorie Censer, Brynn Slate, and Jon Bunger.  Meredith served as Committee Chair, Marjorie led a group at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), Brynn led the Arlington Traditional School (ATS) garden group, and Jon led a group at Cherrydale Health & Rehabilitation Center.  The three recurring volunteering initiatives took place a total of 24 times, engaging 118 volunteers for 236 hours of service.


In 2011, volunteers continue to help out at AFAC on a recurring basis.  Additionally, the ATS garden group has expanded and now regularly helps out at Tuckahoe Elementary School.  To get involved with either recurring volunteering opportunity, please send an email to Brynn at cvn.r.volunteering@gmail.com.


Congratulations to the Recurring Volunteering Team on this well-deserved award!  And thank you to the team and the volunteers who joined them at service projects for making a positive difference in Arlington.


--
Tiffany, CVN Liaison

Tell Arlington's Story: Invitation to Story Swapping Workshop

Arlington is a community of people with compelling stories – whether you've been here generations or just a year or two. Take time to look at the many stories featured on the Tell Arlington's Story website... and then share your own!

You're also invited to attend the first Community Story Swapping Workshop on Saturday, April 2nd, from 10 a.m. until noon. The workshop will take place at the Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 S. 16th Street, Arlington, VA 22204.

RSVP Required: Click here to reserve your spot or call 703-228-0751.

Swapping Stories is an innovative, intergenerational, intercultural, oral history project that helps people develop and exchange their stories. Through theatre training techniques, participants walk in another's shoes, developing profound understandings of others' lives and stories.

Serving Breakfast and Hugs for the Homeless

This guest post was written by Delia Sava and was originally posted on the Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslyn Patch. It has been reposted here with permission from the author.

Every Friday by 6 a.m. Jean and Gene Cross are in the basement of Central United Methodist Church in Ballston preparing breakfast for Arlington’s homeless. The husband and wife team who jokingly refer to themselves, as the “two Jeans” have been regular volunteers of the church’s breakfast program since its inception three years ago.

“People were already waiting at six today,” said Jean. “They will come in and they’re willing to help us with some of the tasks, like peeling potatoes and chopping onions and everybody is having a good time.” The meal is served from 8 a.m. until noon.

One of those waiting to come in from the cold weather was a homeless man who had spent the night outside. “Everything he had with him froze but his after-shave,” Jean said.

Jean said when the program started a few years ago, volunteer members of the church were just serving doughnuts and coffee. As word spread about the breakfast and number of people served grew, the volunteers determined that it was more cost effective for them to cook the breakfast, rather than purchasing doughnuts.

“I heard about the breakfast two years ago and it is the best breakfast in Arlington,” said Steven Brown, one of the regular faces at the meal. Brown, who was born in D.C., said he likes the “nice people” in Arlington.

Brown praised the baked egg casserole and the pancakes but said what he appreciates the most are the hugs from Jean. Brown explained that it’s lonely being homeless and he greatly misses the affection from his late mother. When told about Brown’s comment, Jean smiled and said, “Oh, he’s a hugger!”

Solomon Abawi, a social worker with A-SPAN (Arlington Street People Assistance Network) said, “I come here just to make sure everything is running smoothly.” Abawi brings clothing and hygiene products for the clients; he also offers assistance with medical appointments as well as other services. “We try to do what we can to get them back on their feet—they just need a boost,” Abawi said.

Funding for the meal comes from the congregation and a bequest from the Methodist church, explained Gene. Some of the volunteers will help for an hour or two before work, while others are there the entire time to help with all aspects, including washing dishes and cleaning up.

Gene is grateful for everyone’s assistance but one particular donation was especially appreciated. A client, who earns money by playing the ukulele at metro stations and Redskin’s games, approached Gene around Christmas. “He reached in his pocket and pulls out two singles and a five dollar bill and he says as he gives me the $5, ‘I really appreciate what you’re doing and I’d like you to have this.’” He added that the man has continued with his remarkable generosity. “We have the first $5 in a frame,” Gene said.

When asked what others might be surprised to learn about the homeless who come to the breakfast, Gene said most people have a stereotypical idea about the man who is panhandling or holding a sign asking for help.

“They hide in plain sight,” he said adding, “They are not the people you think they are-- they are kind, gentle people.”

To learn more, visit www.cumcballston.org and www.a-span.org.

A Busy Season for Community Events

Community Volunteer Network has been receiving a lot of news about events happening in the community, so I just wanted to create a quick post with a rundown of the next two weeks of events.  You can always find community events in green on our calendar.


Happy Hour at Mister Days to benefit the Reading Connection: 
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 
WHERE: Mister Days Sports Rock Café 3100 Clarendon Blvd., on the corner of Washington Blvd. and Highland St., Arlington, VA 
COST: $5 donation for great Happy Hour specials and one raffle ticket. Additional tickets are $1 each or $5/six tickets. 
RAFFLE PRIZES: Kindle 3G/Wi-Fi e-Reader and Case 2 Northside Social Gift Cards 2 Gift Cards to Mister Days Pacers Running Store Gift Card Red Mango Gift Card 


Come out with your friends and coworkers for a good time, while helping The Reading Connection provide books for children in need. In 2009, The Reading Connection gave away over 7,600 books to over 1,300 kids, both at the Read Aloud sites and through the Book Club mailing program. 
You can RSVP and invite your friends at www.facebook.com/TheReadingConnection

Community Energy Forum
WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 
WHERE: Wakefield High School, 4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA 22206
COST: Free
ABOUT: see our earlier post for details about the forum


GenerationOn Launch
WHEN: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 9:30 am - noon
WHERE: Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington, DC
COST: Free
Do you have kids or nieces or nephews?  Why not get them engaged in service as well?  GenerationOn is a new initiative to get more kids involved in volunteering.  They will be launching the new initiative with celebrities and prizes this Saturday.
Get details and sign up HERE.


Arlington Academy of Hope Fundraising Gala
WHEN: Friday, October 29, 2010, 7:30-10:30 pm
WHERE: Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, 1401 Lee Highway, Arlington VA
COST: $100 each, $50 for students
The event will raise funds to support the AAH model primary school, secondary scholarship program, outreach to village schools and two medical clinics. More details: https://secure-aah.bluestatedigital.com/page/contribute/galaticket2010

Harvest for Hope Silent Auction and Benefit
WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 2010, 7:00-9:00 pm

WHERE: NRECA Conference Center, 4301 Wilson Blvd Arllington
COST: $50 in advance or $65 at the door
This fundraiser, which invites you to come in costume, will raise money for people who are homeless and in substance abuse recovery programs.
http://www.harvestforhope2010.com/

39th Annual Oyster Feast-Pig Roast hosted by Kiwanis

WHEN: Saturday, October 30, 2010, 5:00-8:00 pm
WHERE: American Service Center Garage, 601 N. Randolph St. Arlington, VA 22203
COST: $35 in advance or $40 at the door
ABOUT: see our earlier post for details

Want to Have a Voice in Our Energy Future? Arlington County to Hold Community Energy Forum

In 2007, Arlington County launched Fresh AIRE (Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions), a climate action program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County government operations, residents, and businesses.  Arlington built on the success of AIRE in January 2010 with the launch of the Community Energy Plan, a 40-year plan that will transform the way energy is produced, transported, stored, and consumed by everyone living and working in the County.  This Plan will address the places where we use energy in our community – our homes, shops, offices, public buildings, and on our roads – and offer strategies to enhance Arlington’s economic competitiveness, ensure reliable and affordable energy supplies, and demonstrate the County’s long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

The process for developing the Community Energy Plan includes two equally important elements: a Community Energy & Sustainability Task Force and community feedback.  The Task Force was convened by Chairman Jay Fisette and is made up of local energy and business leaders.  The Task Force meets every other month and each meeting is open to the public. 

To solicit community feedback, the County has planned a series of town halls.  On Thursday, October 21^st, the County will be holding the second in a series of Town Hall Meetings to solicit public feedback.  This meeting will give Arlingtonians a chance to share their thoughts on energy challenges and opportunities in our community.   Residents are invited to attend to learn more about the preliminary recommendations for the plan and provide feedback.  Residents will also be provided with information on how they can reduce their emissions today!

This meeting will be held Thursday, October 21^st from 6:00-9:00 at Wakefield High School (4901 S. Chesterfield Road, Arlington, VA 22206).  Following check-in and networking, background information on the CEP will be presented, to be followed by presentations and discussions on the CEP’s three areas of preliminary recommendations.  Food will be provided, and attendees will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb.  You can view a more detailed agenda at www.arlingtonva.us/energyplan. 

Want more information? 

Both those able and unable to attend are encouraged to look at the Community Energy Plan’s updates at www.arlingtonva.us/energyplan.  Click on the “Feedback and Comment” link, which allows you to send an e-mail requesting regular project updates.  

Non-profit Spotlight: Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless

Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH) is a private non-profit organization that provides transitional housing and support services to homeless families and women.

AACH offers homeless people more than just a roof over their heads, we provide a foundation to help them rebuild their lives. Our mission is to move people into a permanently self-sufficient, independent life. We do this through four programs:

Sullivan House: A 10-unit, 50-bed homeless shelter for families and women in Arlington. Volunteers assist clients with computer training, career development, and front-desk assistance.

Adopt-A-Family: A scattered-site transitional housing program serving both the Alexandria and Arlington communities. In addition to providing a rental subsidy for up to 24 months, participating clients receive extensive counseling and opportunities to increase employment options and build assets.

Micro-business Enterprise: The purpose is to assist homeless and other at-risk families augment household incomes by capitalizing on their entrepreneurial talents. The project involves training, one-on-one mentoring, and the availability of small amounts of start-up capital provided through a participant-run lending club. Volunteers are needed to provide mentoring and to assist clients in developing their skills as they participate in the program.

Youth Development: Homeless children represent 60% of the clients served by AACH. To address the developmental needs of the children residing in Sullivan House shelter, this initiative provides focused opportunities and enrichment activities for our youth. Volunteers participate in evening children’s activities, after-school homework help, and weekend field trips.

Our volunteer program is critical to fulfilling our organization’s mission and we are committed to offering volunteers with rewarding and fun volunteer opportunities. For more information about volunteering with AACH, please contact Katie Tressel, Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator, at ktressel@aachhomeless.org, or visit www.aachhomeless.org.


Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless

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Committee of 100 Monthly Meetings Are Back!

After a long summer break, Committee of 100 will resume its monthly meetings starting Wednesday, September 15.
You may or may not have heard of Committee of 100, so here's some brief information about what they do. As stated on their website:

The Committee of 100 has been Arlington's principal forum for citizen education in local and regional public affairs since its founding in 1954. The monthly dinner meetings provide an educational setting in which issues of local, regional, and state interest are discussed in an atmosphere that permits communication to replace conflict.

Indeed, Committee of 100 is one of few open forums in Arlington that provide a venue for education and discussion about a wide range of topics concerning those who live and work in Arlington. Past topics include the County's education system, Metro, community diversity dialogue, and trends affecting teenagers.

The members are long-time Arlingtonians and who genuinely care about the Arlington community as a whole. It is also important to point out that the speakers coming to their meetings are definitely leaders in the civil, political, and business community. I found myself sitting next to State Delegate Bob Brink one time! At the upcoming meeting, we will have Jay Fisette, the County Board Chairman, and Brian Coulter, chief development officer for JBG Corporation, as featured speakers. Aside from a great learning experience, the opportunity to get to network with these business and political leaders is a huge plus as well.

Like many others, the first time I attended a Committee of 100 meeting was because I was invited by someone else who was already familiar the group. Since then, I have attended several of their meetings. Each time I have either learned something interesting or made a good personal connection. So come join us at the next Committee of 100 meeting, and you might find it to be a valuable experience!

Details of each meeting are posted on CVN's Facebook page. If you are part of the CVN Facebook group, you will also get an email inviting you to the meeting.

Hope to see you on September 15th!

Sara Abramson
CVN's Committee of 100 Liaison

A Volunteer’s Perspective: Arlington Youth Soccer Tournament

On Saturday, June 19^th, there was a great soccer tournament for at-risk youth at Arlington’s Washington-Lee High School. The event took place on one of the first great summer days - one that was sunny with few clouds and fortunately, it lacked the dreaded DC humidity. The school’s newly renovated soccer fields made for great competition between the students and its spacious cafeteria provided a great setting for a break from sport to enjoy lunchtime conversations. That is where CVN comes in.

After introductions among the volunteers and setting up tables I waited for the tournament to adjourn and the players to rush inside for lunch. After everyone found seats, I wound up at a table with 4 diverse students, all of different nationalities who looked exhausted from their workout, but like any teenager they still had energy for more. Over a lunch of chicken breast and potatoes, I discussed with them the issues surrounding gangs, and let them share their gang related stories and knowledge. At first I was given a sarcastic reaction as the players did not seem interested in discussing gang issues and were still more focused on soccer. Being a fan of Gangland on the History Channel, I was able to share stories of the gang, The Latin Kings, who are from my home of New York. This prompted them to share their own personal experiences. I thought my History Channel background was rather in depth, but I was shocked to learn that each of the students knew a lot more about gangs than I did. Luckily, for their sake, the students said that they never been approached by a gang before, and their stories were mainly learned through gang stories that were told to them. While the four in my group were not in gangs, other tables had students whose brothers and sisters were in gangs so they were able to express the negative impacts they felt from their siblings' associations.

In the end, I felt that I had thoroughly expressed the dangers associated with gangs enough times to bore my group. So, I then went on to discuss their personal interests, and even went as far as teasing them about the U.S. making it further in the World Cup than their national team. After the lunch I was asked by my group to watch them as the soccer tournament resumed. In the end it felt worthwhile knowing the impact that I had and seeing the enjoyment created by the event. Afterward, all the volunteers met to share similar thoughts and stories. This was my favorite event so far, and I hope to share many more experiences like this one through CVN.

- Bryon Miller

Bryon is a leader on the Monthly Volunteering Committee. On September 26th, he will lead a mini-walk with Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs. For more information, click here.