Volunteers Needed for Vine on the Water

We need your help! We are in urgent need of at least 40 additional volunteers at the 2016 Vine on the Waterfront on Saturday, June 25. Volunteers will assist with selling tickets, checking IDs, handing out wine glasses, children's area, and more! Groups are encouraged, so bring a family member or friends! 

We need volunteers for the following shifts: 

11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 
2:30-5:00 p.m. 
4:30-7:30 p.m. 

Each volunteer will receive 10 free food tasting tickets for volunteering their time! 

Please sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000ffxbi! 


If you have any questions, please contact Volunteer Alexandria at mail@volunteeralexandria.orgor 703-836-2176. We hope to see you there! 

ALIVE! Seeks Volunteers

Volunteers needed for ALIVE! Food Distribution 5/27-28 

Monthly, ALIVE! organizes grocery distributions for low-income families in Alexandria. As the May distribution falls on a holiday weekend, we are putting out a special call for volunteers. 

Volunteers are needed to set up the distribution stations on Fridays and to bag and distribute groceries on Saturdays. Individuals, groups, and families can volunteer either for one-time participation or on an ongoing basis. 

The sites are: 

Church of the Resurrection Church--2280 Beauregard ST. 

Set-up: 5/27 Friday, 8:30 -11am  

Distribution: 5/28, Saturday, 8:30am - Noon 



Cora Kelly Recreation Center—25 Reed Avenue 

Set-up: Friday, 6:30 -8:00pm  

Distribution: Saturday, 8:00am -1:00pm 



Contact volunteers@alive­-inc.org or call (703) 837-9300 ext.2. for more information and to register for events. 

Volunteer Alexandria Service Day for Youth

Volunteer Alexandria is hosting our first Family & Youth Community Service Day on Saturday, May 21, 2016 to engage our youngest volunteers in service! 

We will have two projects located in the Del Ray area for two different age groups. The first will be for elementary aged children hosted at the Mount Vernon Community School. Volunteers will help pack bags that will be distributed by the USO at airports to soldiers heading overseas. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more about community service in Alexandria and how to remain engaged. This project will be from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Families can sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000fdZkhMAE. 

The second project will be for high school aged volunteers. Volunteers will be assisting with landscaping and gardening for the Duncan Library and the Mount Vernon Community School. Volunteers will learn best practices will helping two community spaces look clean and put together. This project will be from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Volunteers can sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000fda5CMAQ. 

After the projects, all volunteers will be served lunch from the Cabot Gratitude Grille's Mac & Cheese Bar! If you have any questions, please contact Sami Smyth at 703-836-2176 or ACS@VolunteerAlexandria.org. 

Volunteer Opportunities in Alexandria to Celebrate MLK Day of Service

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community. The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.


If you are interested in serving on January 18, 2016 to celebrate Dr. King’s memory and vision, please take a look at the opportunities in Alexandria below. You can sign up for these opportunities via the link provided.


MLK Family Volunteer Day hosted by Volunteer Alexandria
Join Volunteer Alexandria for a family volunteer day to celebrate MLK Day 2016! After the success of the Family Volunteer Day on November 21, we will be offering another opportunity for families to serve together. We will be completing the same projects as the Family Volunteer Day, including place mats for seniors, literacy games for an affordable preschool, and homemade dog toys for rescue dogs. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Families with children as young as 6 are welcome to volunteer! Sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000dwFFA.


MLK Emergency Preparedness Project hosted by Volunteer Alexandria
Come and help us work together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Youth and seniors will come together to assemble emergency go kits at Community Lodgings. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Volunteers must be 18 and older. Sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000dwWhD.


MLK Community Fitness/Childhood Hunger Awareness Program Volunteer hosted by the AlexandriCity of Alexandria DPRCA
We are looking for volunteers to assist in this community program where we will provide healthy snacks, fitness based activities and a variety of non contact games and activities for approximately 50 to 100 students. 10:30-2:30 p.m. Volunteers must be 18 and older. Sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000dwMkn.


Annual MLK Community Summit hosted by The Morning Bishop Theater Playhouse, Inc.

The community is welcomed and encouraged to participate in the planned community service activities of first aid assemblage, baking cupcakes, creating greeting cards for the sick and shut in, sorting of donations and organizing materials. Volunteers are welcome anytime between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers as young as 12 are welcome to volunteer with an adult present. Sign up HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000dwQuk. 

from Volunteer Alexandria  

Alexandria Tutoring Consortium Seeks Volunteers

The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) is seeking volunteers to help kindergarten and first grade students in ACPS acquire literacy skills. The ATC is a nonprofit with a mission to have all students reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade. If you have a love of children, a love of reading and are dependable, we invite you to tutor with ATC.

Volunteers receive training and an orientation to the school before before they begin tutoring. For tutors of first graders in Book Buddies, lesson plans and materials targeted at your child's reading needs are provided by ATC coordinators. For tutors of kindergartners in Reading Readiness, goals and materials to use to reach those goals are provided by ATC coordinators.

For more information, contact Gwen Mullen at 703-549-6670 ext. (119) or visit the ATC's website at: http://alexandriatutors.org

To register, visit: http://alexandriatutors.org/TutorRegister.php

New Community Outreach in Alexandria

Dear Neighbors:

About a month or so back, many of you so generously expressed interest in a new community project that would bring new and/or gently used items from our community to the disadvantaged Parker Gray community near the Charles Houston Recreation Center and Sugar Shack Donuts. 

After meeting this morning with the Director of Programs at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, I'm happy to provide more specific details below. Every little bit counts, so thank you in advance for any assistance that you can provide. 

Friday, October 16th: Please drop off any unused or gently used clothing, children's gear, small household items, etc. that you are willing to donate at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA to the manager on duty between the hours of 2 p.m and 9 p.m. If you are unable to drop off on this day or during these times, please email me and we can make other arrangements. We are also looking for a handful of volunteers this evening to help sort through and arrange donated items between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact me directly.

Saturday, October 17th: Parker Gray community residents will be invited to the Charles Houston Recreation Center between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. to receive any donated items that they may be in need of but unable to afford. We are looking for a small group of volunteers on this day to help facilitate the collection of items between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. We are also looking for a group of volunteers to haul away any uncollected items and drop them off to the Salvation Army. These volunteers will need to be available promptly at noon since there is an afternoon event in the same space that we will be using that morning. (Unfortunately, because this is our first time doing this and because we put the event together rather quickly on the good advice of a neighbor who suggested that the greatest need is before the holidays and cold weather hit, we did not have sufficient time to arrange for uncollected items to be picked up at the distribution site by local non-profits. Should this event be a success, we will better prepare next year). Please contact me directly if you are interested in volunteering on Saturday, October 17th.

Many, many thanks once again in advance for any help that you may be able to provide!!! An item that may seem insignificant and appropriate for trash collection could make a difference in the lives of our neighbors just down the road. More importantly, our donations of time and goods will let them know that we see them, and that we care.

Sincerely,
Jessica Wszalek

Literacy Tutors - Volunteers Needed

Volunteer Alexandria is teaming up with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium to recruit enough tutors this school year for 125 ACPS students. 
We need YOU to help us meet this challenge 
by signing up to tutor today! 

Students need a one-on-one volunteer tutor to help them reach and exceed their reading goals for the year. These students are at risk of falling below their grade level and will not be able to read to learn in third grade and 
beyond if they do not have a tutor to help them learn to read now. These students need YOU to step up and help them reach their goals this year! 

What volunteers need to know: 
· Volunteers choose which Elementary School is convenient for them 
· Volunteers are asked to tutor twice a week for 30 minutes or find a partner to split the sessions with 
· Volunteers tutor October-May 
· ATC provides volunteers with individualized lesson plans and materials 


Sign up to become a tutor! Please click HERE http://handsonconnect.volunteeralexandria.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Details_Page?id=a0CU000000ZaD6OMAV&wrs=HOC0105-002-4da8cef7-45bb-46ee-9e85-c742d3d9dd51or 
visit www.VolunteerAlexandria.org 


and enter ‘tutor’ in the search field 

Alexandria Tutoring Consortium In Search of Volunteers

Did you know that learning to read can make the difference between a child becoming a dropout or a graduate? 

The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium needs reliable volunteers to tutor kindergartners in literacy skills once or twice a week for two 20 minute back-to-back sessions, at the school during the school day.

Patrick Henry needs 4 tutors for 8 kindergartners twice a week; George Mason – 2 tutors for 4 kindergartners twice a week; 

NEW PROGRAM John Adams – needs 14 tutors for 28 kindergartners twice a week. Lesson plans, materials and training provided. 

Please help spread the word to friends and colleagues! 

For more information and to register, go to www.alexandriatutors.org . Contact 703-549-6670 ext. 119 or atc@opmh.org if you have questions.

__._,_.___

The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium is seeking volunteers

The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) needs volunteers to tutor 70 more children in Alexandria City Public Schools' kindergartens and first grades to develop literacy skills. Training, lesson plans, and guidance will be provided. Tutoring sessions are one-on-one for 30 minutes once or twice a week through May. 

Questions? Call: 703-549-6670 x119 or email: atc@opmh.org 

http://www.alexandriatutors.org

For more information: 

http://www.actionalexandria.org/action/help-alexandria-students-learn-read-volunteer-now-0

Here is the info from the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium Website: 

__._,_.___

Who We Are 
The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC) is a 501 ( c) (3) organization working in partnership with Alexandria's Faith Community, the City of Alexandria, the Community at Large and Alexandria's Public Elementary Schools to recruit, train and match volunteers from congregations, community groups, businesses,City employees and individuals who sign up to tutor kindergarteners and first graders in literacy skills. 
Vision
Every child in Alexandria can read and succeed! 

Mission 
To provide the foundation for future learning success by helping to ensure children in the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) can read at or above grade level by the end of third grade. 
Values
How we do our work - as the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC), we commit to the following values:

RESPECT 

• Value each person's contributions, concerns, and time
• Trust others, and be worthy of trust
• Fulfill commitments

TEAMWORK

• Seek the input of all relevant parties
• Encourage others to use their strengths and talents
• Collaborate internally and externally in service of the children of Alexandria
• Attend to barriers that may impede inclusive participation

SERVICE

• Filter all decisions and actions through the lens of how they will benefit the children of Alexandria
• Celebrate our mission together

EXCELLENCE

• Regularly seek and respond to evaluation and feedback
• Regularly set goals, and evaluate progress
• Be open to change
• Strive for continual improvement
• Expect high-performance in all aspects of ATC work

History

In 1996, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) launched the Primary Initiative with the goal that all students in ACPS would be able to read and do math at grade level by the end of second grade. When the Rev. Gary Charles, then pastor of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, heard about the Primary Initiative, he joined with Herbert Berg, then superintendent of ACPS, and Steve Rideout, then Chief Judge of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, to start a program that united local faith communities and elementary school principals, teachers, and reading specialists to provide reading tutors to first and second grade students in the public schools. They named the organization Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).

Today, in order to meet the need for volunteer tutors expressed by ACPS, we have expanded our recruiting base beyond our supportive member congregations to include any individual who wants to tutor, community groups and businesses, and, through Mayor Euille's Initiative, Alexandria City employees.

In 2006, ATC incorporated and received tax-exempt 501c3 status. As a result we are able to receive tax-deductible contributions from individuals, organizations, businesses, etc. to support our work.

The need for tutors is great. In spring 2012 and again in 2013, 24% of ACPS third graders did not reach reading proficiency on Virginia's spring PALS (Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening) tests. According to the Casey Foundation Kids’Count report, those 250 plus children are now on the "dropout track" because they will not have the necessary skills to engage in language and higher learning activities in 4th grade and beyond. The National Research Council states that "academic success, as defined by high school graduation, can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by knowing someone's reading skill at the end of third grade."

An additional challenge for ACPS and ATC is that, for whatever reason – not having attended preschool, English is a second language, lack of books in the homes,  each year approximately 25% of Alexandria’s children enter kindergarten needing extra help bringing their literacy skills up to grade level. To increase the percentage of children reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade is the current mission of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium. Please join us in fulfilling this mission. There is no greater gift to a child and to Alexandria's future than generations of children empowered with the ability to read.

 Board of Directors and Staff

Board members are responsible for the overall policy and direction of ATC, and delegate responsibility of day-to-day operations to the staff and committees. Board meetings are open to other interested parties. 

Toys, Gift Card Donations Sought for Children’s Holiday Event

perfect service project for boy scout troop, girl scout troop, or church organization: 

Toys, Gift Card Donations Sought for Children’s Holiday EventEvery year the Domestic Violence Program organizes a holiday party for mothers and children who have been served by the shelter. At the party, the families are reunited with past shelter friends and staff.  They enjoy a holiday meal together and have their photos taken with Santa Claus. Each parent also receives a bag of gifts for their children to be taken home, wrapped and placed under the tree. Annually, more than 100 families participate in this event, which is made possible by the community's generous donations.

If you would like to donate to the Children's Holiday Party this year, please bring unwrapped toys and gift cards for the mothers to the Domestic Violence Program, 421 King Street, Suite 400. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.All donations must be received by Monday, December 16. If you have any questions, please call Neeley Hughey 703.746.4911.

Wright to Read Seeking Volunteers

Wright to Read Volunteer OpportunitiesWant to make a difference in a young person's life? Consider tutoring/mentoring an elementary school child with Wright to Read. Volunteer tutors are matched with Alexandria City Public School students who are identified by their teachers as needing help with reading.  Our Tutor/Mentor volunteers work with students in the public libraries, primarily, for an hour each week.  Mentors play a powerful role in boosting academic achievement as well as preventing substance abuse and youth violence.  Please contact Luisa Reyes at 703-299-9854 or at lreyes@wrighttoread.org if interested.

Alexandria Mentoring Partnership Seeks Volunteers

Alexandria Mentoring Partnership

Want to use a small amount of your time to impact a child and the community? Mentoring is proven to be among the most effective ways to prevent crime, drug abuse, poor school performance, gang involvement and teen pregnancy. A short amount of an adult’s time can make a long-lasting impact on a child, the community, and the volunteer.

The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is hosting an information session. Please consider attending and please share with your groups. Thanks a lot.

Monday, August 12, 6 p.m. registration; 630 program. See attached, including RSVP information.

http://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/MentoringFlyer.pdf

Also, please view the attached, short video on mentoring and hear from some of Alexandria’s mentors and youth.
www.alexandriava.gov/Video/2202

MENTOR A CHILD. CHANGE 2 LIVES.

School Supply Donation Drive

FACE Center Kicks off School Supplies Drive

 

Alexandria, Va. – Alexandria City Public Schools’ Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center and Community Partners for Children (CPC), an Alexandria nonprofit organization, this week kicked off their annual Back-to-School Drive for school supplies for students. Each fall, many Alexandria students of all ages face the prospect of starting school without adequate supplies.
“ACPS families have benefitted from this drive and the commitment of CPC for the last 21 years to ensure that all Alexandria children are prepared for school,” said FACE Manager Shanna Samson. “FACE wants every student qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals to have the basic tools to start the school year with confidence.”
In partnership with CPC and local businesses, FACE will collect backpacks, spiral notebooks, wide-rule notebook paper, pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, two- pocket folders, pencil pouches, scissors, rulers and other school supplies for all age groups. These items will then be distributed to ACPS students.
FACE is asking the community to donate new backpacks and school supplies by dropping them off in collection bins placed in local area businesses.

The Back-to-School Drive runs until Aug. 19. Backpacks stuffed with supplies will be distributed to students during FACE’s annual Back to School Family Night at T.C. Williams.

Anyone wishing to contribute may help as follows:
*         Between July 22 and Aug. 21, donate new backpacks and school supplies by dropping them off in one of the donation boxes at the locations listed below.
*        Send gift cards from local retailers (Target, Walmart, Staples, OfficeMax or CVS)to The FACE Center, T.C. Williams High School, Room No. A123, 3330 King St., Alexandria, Va. 22302. Gift cards will be used to purchase supplies to be distributed.
*      Volunteer to help sort school supplies on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at T.C. Williams High School. To volunteer, email shanna.samson@acps.k12.va.us.

FACE thanks the following local sponsors who support the drive and provide sites for the donation boxes. 
Donation boxes are located at the area businesses listed below:
DEL RAY AREA

A Show of Hands – 2301 Mount Vernon Ave.

Artfully Chocolate – 2003A Mount Vernon Ave.

Caboose Café – 2419 Mount Vernon Ave.

Cora Kelly Recreation Center -- 25 W. Reed Ave.

Dairy Godmother – 2308 Mount Vernon Ave.

Eclectic Nature Gift & Garden Center – 1503 Mount Vernon Ave.

FireFlies – 1501 Mount Vernon Ave.

Grace Episcopal Church – 3601 Russell Rd.

Nature's Nibbles – 2601 Mount Vernon Ave.

Neighborhood Pharmacy — 2204 Mount Vernon Ave.

Pork Barrel BBQ — 2312 Mount Vernon Ave.

St. Elmo's Coffee Pub – 2300 Mount Vernon Ave.

Ultimate Results — 2305 Mount Vernon Ave.

Yates Automotive – 317 E. Braddock Road

Yoga in Daily Life – 2402 Mount Vernon Ave.

OLD TOWN AREA

Alexandria City Hall – 301 King St., Main Lobby and Second Floor

ASIS International – 1625 Prince St.

Charles Houston Recreation Center — 901 Wythe St.

McEnearney Associates – 109 S. Pitt St.

Today's Cargo – 1102 King St.

Volunteer Alexandria – 123 N Alfred St., First Floor

THE FOLLOWING BURKE & HERBERT BANK LOCATIONS

Carlyle – 1775 Jamieson Ave.

Fairlington Branch – 1705 Fern St.

King Street – 621 King St.

Landmark — 155 N. Paxton St.

Main Office – 100 S. Fairfax St.

Monroe Ave – 306 E. Monroe Ave.

ALL ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES

Barrett Branch – 717 Queen St.

Beatley Branch – 5005 Duke St.

Burke Branch – 4701 Seminary Road

Duncan Branch – 2501 Commonwealth Ave.

OTHER ALEXANDRIA LOCATIONS

Alexandria Department of Health – 4480 King St., Fourth Floor

Alexandria INOVA – 4320 Seminary Road

William Ramsay Recreation Center — 5650 Sanger Ave.

Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center — 1108 Jefferson St.

State Farm — 1705 Centre Plaza

Church of the Resurrection – 2280 N Beauregard St.

Commonwealth Federal Credit Union – 4875 Eisenhower Ave.

Congregation Agudas Achim – 2908 Valley Dr.

The Church of St. Clement – 1701 Quaker Ln.

The Sentinel of Landmark – 6300 Stevenson Ave.

Crave Frozen Yogurt – 3610 King St., Bradlee Center

Northern Virginia Community College—3001 N. Beauregard St.

FACE is a program of the Alexandria City Public Schools and Community Partners for Children is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that helps Alexandria children. For more information about FACE or CPC, contact Shanna Samson at 703-824-6865.

Alexandria PBAC Seeks Volunteer Counters

The Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is looking for
volunteers for documentation project counts Thursday July 11th (5-7pm) and
Saturday July 13th (12-2pm). Go to our webpage for additional
information: www.bicycle.alexandria.va.us/

Review our count locations attached below and reply back to us with your
preference. Early requests usually get their pick. If you can reply as
soon as possible it would be appreciated.

1)

___ I can count from 5pm-7pm on Thursday, July 11th.

___ I can count at any location in the City.

___ I would prefer to count at location letters ___, ___, or ___.

2)

___ I can count from 12pm-2pm on Saturday, July 13th.

___ I can count at any location in the City.

___ I would prefer to count at location letters ___, ___, or ___.

Appreciate it if you would spread the word to others who may be able to
help. We'll provide a instruction/training package and any additional
training that may be needed.

Thank you,

Jerry King (jjkingconsulting@gmail.com), and

Jim Durham (jimandcarey48@comcast.net

A - Mount Vernon Trail just south the intersection with the Marina road.
B1 - Mount Vernon Trail just south of the WWB at MV parkway
B2 - Mouth of WWB trail West side
C - Mt Vernon Ave South of 4 mile run
D - Intersection of Commonwealth and Mount Vernon Avenues.
E – Off-Street trail between Braddock and King Metrorail Stations
F - Eisenhower Avenue just west of the Spring Hill Suites
G - North Beauregard Street just south of the intersection with King St.
H1 - Holmes Run Trail, along Holmes Run Parkway near North Ripley St.
H2 - Holmes Run Trail at the intersection of N Pickett/Holmes Run Pkwy
I - Van Dorn St just N of Metrorail overpass and S of Eisenhower
J - Cameron Street just west of the intersection with Washington St.
K - Prince Street just west of the intersection with Washington St.
L – Slater's Lane just west of Portner Rd

Some ways to Volunteer/Get involved in the Community

from Center for Children and Families, Department of Community and Human Services, City of Alexandria

Careers/Volunteerism

SOHO-Space of Her Own Mentor Orientations SOHO is a creative mentorship program that serves pre-teen girls with yearlong mentoring through engagement in life skills instruction, creative art activities, and meaningful community service projects. Mentor orientations will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. – Noon; Monday, April 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Tuesday, April 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Art League’s Madison Annex (901 N. Fairfax Street). The sessions will provide details about SOHO, the mentor commitment and the application process. Emailquestions and register online.

George Washington STEM Garden Seeks VolunteersThe teachers of the George Washington Middle School Campus invite families to be a part of the school garden and expansion project. The garden took off last spring when a student-led project created an organic garden to improve the local watershed. Teachers are now working innovatively to tie core curriculum areas with learning in the garden. The grassroots Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative could use the support of committed families. The garden team meets Thursdays after school in room C123. Email Mary Breslin to support the program.

National Missing Children’s Day Poster ContestThe Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is encouraging fifth grade students to participate in the annual poster contest, which creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and other child safety advocates to engage children and families in discussions about child abduction and how to prevent it. Entries must be received by March 21.

Banking on YouthThe Consumer Bankers Foundation has partnered with Ashoka’s Youth Venture to sponsor an opportunity for youth ages 13-22 to showcase great ideas for a venture that directly benefits society. In addition to thirty $1,000 seed money prizes, the top six entrants will compete for the Audience Choice Award of $5,000 and the Grand Prize of $15,000. Entries must be submitted by March 15.

Together We BakeTogether We Bake is a comprehensive workforce training personal development program for women in need of a second chance, specifically women recently released from the corrections system. The program is centered on a small baking business where women actively learn and participate in food production, packaging and delivery. Support this initiative by ordering cookies or granola.

SAPCA March NewsletterAmong the articles features in the latest edition of the newsletter of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria is a study that found many doctors do not ask theirteenage patients about their drinking.

Volunteer Alexandria March NewsletterLearn more about the 6^th Community Service Day (May 3) in the latest edition of Volunteer Times, the newsletter of Volunteer Alexandria.

International Foundation for Ethical Research Graduate FellowshipsFellowships provide up to $12,500 a year to students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs in the sciences and human or veterinary medicine who are working to develop alternatives to use of animals in research, testing, and education. An additional $2,500 will be provided for supplies. The fellowships are renewable annually for up to three years. Fellowships also will be considered for graduate students in other fields (e.g. education, psychology, humanities, journalism, the law) for projects that show promise with respect to increasing public awareness and/or promoting changes in the legal system or public policy regarding the use of animals in research, testing and education. The deadline for pre-proposal applications is March 30.

308 hours = 20,000 voters = WE NEED YOUR HELP!

FROM THE ADC: 

Alexandria Democrats - 

308 hours = 20,000 voters = WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Between now and November 6, there will 308 hours of in-person absentee voting in Alexandria.  308 hours.  And we expect about 20,000 Alexandrians will vote via in-person absentee this year. 

We need your help in passing out our Democratic sample ballot to voters who will be voting by in-person absentee.  

CAN WE COUNT ON YOU FOR AN HOUR OR TWO?

We need your help in greeting voters at the Alexandria Voter Registration Office and at Charles Beatley Library.  Can you spare an hour or two?  Can you help us greet these in-person absentee voters and help educate them about our great Democratic candidates?  This is the last chance we have to speak to voters before they vote. 

If you can help, Andrea Martin, our Coordinated Campaign Director (andrea@alexdems.org; 703-549-3367) can help find a time that's convenient for you.  

ABSENTEE POLL STANDING IS CRITICAL THIS YEAR TO KEEP VIRGINIA BLUE!

If you want to volunteer for anything between now and Election Day, this is it!  Poll standing for in-person absentees is so critical.  Contact Andrea Martin (andrea@alexdems.org; 703-549-3367) for the dates and times available to greet voters heading to the polls for absentee voting.  

Please consider standing the polls for Alexandria's absentee voters. Victory on November 6 depends on it!

Regards,

Dak Hardwick, Chair

Alexandria Democratic Committee

Volunteer!

There are many opportunities to volunteer in Alexandria, but there is nothing like making the difference in the life of a child.  

Please consider giving your time to one of the following organizations.

Alexandria Tutoring Consortium 

Tutor elementary students one to two times a week until May.

Training and lesson plans/curriculum provided.

www.alexandriatutors.org

703-549-6670 x 119

Alexandria Mentoring Partnership

Mentor a child and change two lives!

703-746-4144

Center For Alexandria's Children

www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org

703-746-6018

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the Reading Consortium.
It only takes 30 minutes one or two times a week and you can make a difference in the life of a an elementary school student.

Everything is provided for you - training and lessons.


If your interested in helping call 703-549-6670 x 119 or go to www.alexandriatutors.com

Volunteers Needed for Domestic Violence Program

The next volunteer training will start January 9, 2012.  

As a program that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, volunteers play a key role in providing services to those affected by domestic violence.  Volunteers with the program interact personally with individuals in need, an opportunity that many find extremely fulfilling.  There is a need for Volunteer Shelter/Child Program Supervisors.  This position provides crisis counseling to residents of the Battered Women's Shelter and to callers on the 24-hour hotline as well as conducts activiites with children while their mothers are in support groups.   The training is 40 hours, and while it is intense, there is only a post-training commitment of 12 hours a month scheduled at the volunteer's convenience.  

Contact Jen Clayton at 703.746.4911, or email Jen.Clayton@alexandriava.gov.