ALTERNATIVE HOUSE
Welcome to the
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER EIGHTH GANNETT BUILDING MCLEAN, VIRGINIA
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS WELCOME
Ken Davis, President Alternative House Board of Directors INVOCATION Rev. Emily Berman D’Andrea Lewinville Presbyterian Church ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Judith Dittman Alternative House, Executive Director KEYNOTE SPEECH Scott Friedlander, President and COO ALTERNATIVE HOUSE VISION Judith Dittman Alternative House, Executive Director
ALTERNATIVE HOUSE CLIENTS Edwin Guardado Client, Culmore Teen Center Imani Payne Client, Assisting Young Mothers Program Anne Woodle Alternative House Volunteer ALTERNATIVE HOUSE VIDEO PARTNER WITH ALTERNATIVE HOUSE FOR “BRIGHTENING FUTURES” Ken Davis, President Alternative House Board of Directors
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM WE OFFER
Mobile Outreach
• Reach homeless, runaway and truant youth on the street • Provide counseling, referrals, food and clothing
Culmore Teen Center
• Recreation and support for 7th through 12th grade youth\
Safe Youth Project
• After school programs located in Culmore and Annandale for 4th through 6th grade youth
Franconia Family Resource Center
• Recreation and support for middle and high school students WE PROVIDE • Support and encouragement to keep young people in school • Positive alternatives for youth who are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse, drug use and gang membership • Easily accessible neighborhood-based support services in a safe environment • Counseling, homework tutoring, sports, games, workshops and life skills education
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Edwin Guardado Former Teen Center Youth Born in Arlington, Virginia but spent thirteen years in El Salvador. When he returned to Fairfax County at the age of fifteen, he had a hard time adjusting to his new surroundings and culture. In addition to the typical issues that surround moving when you’re in school, he had to learn English and adjust to a whole new way of life. One of the places that helped him make a successful transition was our Culmore Teen Center.
“The Teen Center is a fun place to be and allows you to meet new people from different places and cultures.” Edwin has worked as one of our Youth Workers at the Teen Center and will graduate from George Mason University as the end of the year. 7
CULMORE TEEN CENTER Emergency Shelter WE OFFER • Voluntary three-week emergency shelter for youth ages 13-18 at no cost for youth or parents • 24-hour crisis hotline • Walk-in counseling WE PROVIDE • Shelter and support for homeless, abused and runaway youth • Counseling and support to those experiencing a family crisis, homelessness, abuse or neglect • Life skills and education • Information and referrals
For more information, please call 703.35.6360 Hotline: 1.800.SAY.TEEN
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Jake Brown 14 years old Runaway from New York He traveled to Virginia by bus in an effort to get to Richmond to visit his aunt. When he arrived in Fairfax County on the metro, Jake was picked up by police. Initially the police places Jake in the Juvenile Detention Center and Child Protective Services took him into custody. Since Jake really had not done anything wrong other than running away, he left Juvenile Detention and came to Alternative House. While at the shelter,
our staff was able to learn about Jake’s difficult past, which he had not been willing to share with anyone else. We were able to determine that Jake has special mental health issues that caused him to behave erratically and impulsively. We began to work with his family and with others in the community to ensure that Jake went to a safe, more stable situation when he left the shelter. He is now thriving in school! 9
AYM Assisting Young Mothers WE OFFER • Residential programs for homeless pregnant young women and their children • Community-based support for young people ages 16-21 and their children WE PROVIDE • Parenting skills to prevent child abuse • Individual services so young mothers can become successful, independent and nurturing parents • Education to stop the cycle of teen pregnancy • Individual, group and family counseling • Job readiness and independent living education and support • Early childhood development program for the infants and toddlers
For more information, please call 703.280.2162 aym@TheAlternativeHouse.org
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Laurel Parks AYM Program Member Laurel grew up in Washington, D.C. and became homeless when her mother lost her job. After living place to place with her infant daughter for almost two years, Laurel found her way to the Covenant House for emergency housing. When starting the AYM program Laurel was just 20 years old, her daughter was two and she was five months pregnant with her second child.
“AYM set me up with the skills and resources I so desperately needed being a homeless pregnant mother. I owe all of my success to them� AYM helped her get a job at a local bakery where she recently received a large promotion. She gave birth to her son in May and has now entered college and plans to become a lawyer. Both Laurel and her children are doing great. 11
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR TEENAGERS AND 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE Shelter volunteers work directly with the residents at the teen shelter, initiate conversation and activities with individuals and groups, supervise residents during their daily activities, co-lead life skills groups with staff, participate in recreational activities, talk informally with the teens, and respond to calls received on our crisis hotline. Weekend and weekday opportunities. Vienna, Virginia near Tyson’s Corner ASSISTING YOUNG MOTHERS TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS Volunteers offer encouragement and support to homeless pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children. Be a mentor to a teen mom and her child. Be a tutor for a mom. Provide child care support with mothers participate in life skills classes. Must be at least 21 years old. Fairfax, Virginia
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Culmore Teen Center: Volunteers engage informally with teens and are positive role models who provide encouragement and support, offer homework assistance and participate in recreational activities and group workshops. Weekday afternoons and evenings.
Safe Youth Project Volunteers provide encouragement and support to 4th through 6th graders. Activities include homework help, recreation, life skills workshops and talking with the youth. Monday through Thursday afternoons until 6:00 PM. Culmore in Bailey’s Crossroads area of Falls Church and Annandale
Franconia After-school Program Volunteers talk with middle and high school youth, help them with homework, do recreational activities and assist with group sessions. Afternoons until 7:00 PM. East Springfield Homeless Youth Initiative: Volunteers are needed to offer homework help to teens. Weekday and weekend opportunities are available. Vienna, Virginia 13
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Davis, President Lisa Moffett, Vice President Jim Cotton, Treasurer Beth Yingling, Secretary Bill Bagot Kathy Barnes Courtney Bulger Kimberly Dize Duane Dodwell Mary Lou Dunford Richard Gergely Robert Gillispie Burt Heacock Rick Holzheimer Nicole Leona Amy Owen Richard Pollak Debra Rochkind Debijo Wheatly
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Navigant Consulting, Inc. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Freddie Mac Apple Federal Credit Union V&F Coffee and Office Products Watt, Tieder, Hoffer & Fitzgerald, LLP International Association of Fire Chiefs Office Movers Fairfax County Fire Department HR Consultant Fairfax County Public Schools The Gillispie Law Firm, P.C. Paul-Tittle Search Group ReedSmith LLP GTSI Corp. Cochran & Owen LLC Toutman Sanders LLP Attorney Designs by Debijo
OUR STAFF Linda Abrengo, Youth Worker Alexsandra Alvarez, Relief Counselor Antonia Arias, Program Coordinator Louise Barnes, Finance Director Susan Blalock, Program Coordinator Soraya Borja, Program Coordinator Heidi Blattell-Brennan, Clinical Director Michelle Brooks, Relief Counselor Nica Buntha, Overnight Coordinator Nicoletta Buonascra, Program Coordinator Gina Cocomello, Development Coordinator Rebecca Colglazier, Relief Counselor John Crum, Overnight Counselor Gavin Cunningham, Relief Counselor Judith Dittman, Exectutive Director Samantha Gallo, Case Manager Samantha Gonzales, Youth Worker Jessica Green, Case Manager Edwid Guardado, Youth Worker Susie Guido, Residential Therapist
Meghan Huebner, Residential Services Natasha Hunter, Relief Counselor Arya Karki, Program Associate Jacob Klaus, Residential Coordinator Shakaya McFarland, Relief Coordinator Freddy Medina, Outreach Coordinator George Mensah, Overnight Counselor Diana Morales, Program Coordinator Mayra Navarette, Community Outreach Nandred Navarro, Community Outreach Minoa Pakdaman, Case Manager Casey Quigley, Residential Coordinator Mirtha Rivera De Bravo, Outreach Counselor Krystle Robinson, Residential Coordinator Christopher St. Vil, Overnight Counselor Jessica Taylor, Residential Counselor Lakeisha Thomas, Relief Counselor Angela Valerino, Program Coordinator James Warwick, Grants
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WISH LIST Alternative Hose is always accepting materials to help aid in the running of our multiple programs and appreciates anything that is donated! The following items on our Wish List are always in need around the shelter and can be dropped off directly to The Alternative House location.
Cleaning Supplies bathroom cleaner kitchen cleaner glass cleaner liquid dish soap dishwasher soap sponges brooms mops laundry detergent dryer sheets plastic buckets
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Kitchen Supplies
Toiletries
paper napkins paper towels new dish towels new oven mitts zip lock bags plastic wrap foil tall kitchen trash bags large trash bags paper plates paper cups disposable flatware
combs and brushes razors shampoo deodorant toothpaste tooth brushes full size bar soap bar soap containers bathroom tissue paper towels baby wipes baby shampoo baby lotion and powder disposable diapers
DONATIONS
BRIGHTENING FUTURES ALONG WITH THE OTHERS FROM
THE ALTERNATIVE HOUSE $10 $20 $35 $50 Name: Address: City: Phone Number: Email Address:
Other
Thank You! State & Zip Code: Fax Number: Amount Enclosed: $
Please make checks payable to: The Alternative House P.O. Box 694, Dunn Loring, VA 22027
ALTERNATIVE HOUSE THANKS YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!
Please fill out the donation card above and submit to the Alternative House representatives on your way out! We appreciate any amount to use for our programs. 17
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE Who Needs Our Help Our 24 hour, toll-free hotline provides crisis intervention, counseling and referral services and is staffed by trained counselors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The hotline is an immediate resource for youth and parents who need assistance, whether it’s a taxicab ride to the Emergency Shelter or help with any participating resources.
1.800.SAY.TEEN
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Alternative House P.O. Box 694 Dunn Loring, VA 22027 703.506.9191 TheAlternativeHouse.org
THANK YOU for attending and all of your generous donations! 19