September 2024 E-Newsletter
ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV)
The Mission of ECNV is to empower people with disabilities to live independently.
September 2024 is National Guide Dog Month
September 2024 is National Guide Dog Month in the United States. This month is a celebration of all guide dogs or service dogs. The purpose of this month-long celebration is to raise awareness, support and appreciation for guide dog schools
Welcome ECNV New Staff
ECNV is honored to have new staff join our team.
Aleshia Whatley joins ECNV as a Travel Trainer. Aleshia holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is adept at advocating for clients and has extensive experience providing wrap-around services.
Karen D. Arnett also joins ECNV as a Travel Trainer. Karen has a BA in Early Childhood Development and brings a wealth of experience from over 15 years working at the DC CIL and various other roles in care and development.
Vanessa Romero joins ECNV as a Community Transition Liaison. In this new role, Vanessa will be expanding ECNV’s nursing home transition work, including our personal assistance registry. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Business Administration.
Jeffrey Thompson joins ECNV as ACER Accountant. He comes with years of accounting expertise.
ECNV’s new RACE (Realizing Arlington’s Commitment to Equity) to Rebuilding Trust and Community
One of our newest projects at ECNV intends to attack racial inequity along with a significant, but often invisible group facing discrimination, stigma, and inequity: Arlingtonians with disabilities+ other marginalized BIPOC/immigrant/socioeconomic identities.
ECNV Youth Programs and Support
Read about our programs and supports aimed to empower youth with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, pursue their aspirations, and actively participate in their communities.
Money Matters
Registration for September Money Matters Now Open!
ECNV offers this five-part training to help people with disabilities understand and manage money. Eligibility is open to FIS Waiver and DARS referrals as well as anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about money. Virtual classes will take place on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, October 2 – October 30, 2024. Registration is required and closes September 15. All interested individuals (or counselors) are welcome to ask questions at info@ecnv.org. Use our Online Registration Formto sign up today! Participants must be Northern Virginia residents.
Aging Solo is Back!
Registration for the Fall session for our wildly popular Aging Solo course is officially open! ECNV can help you put your plans in place! The Aging Solo 6-Week Workshop series is a national, award-winning online learning opportunity designed to help you take charge of your aging. As we get older, health decision-making and end-of-life planning becomes inevitable. Aging Solo will help you reflect on your priorities, map out your support network, and think of the many plans you need to put into place now.
Please register to save your spot and get access to all course materials including the participant workbook and the recordings of each session. There is no fee to participate. Classes start Monday, September 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. EST., and will run through November 7, 2024.
If you have any questions please reach out to info@ecnv.org, or call 703-525-3268.
Check Out ECNV's Cool Swag Available on Zazzle
Support ECNV by purchasing and wearing some of our unique clothes and accessories with the ECNV logo. There are lots of choices and five percent of the proceeds go back to ECNV to continue the awesome and meaningful work we all are doing for disability advocacy and justice in the northern Virginia area.
ECNV Upcoming Calendar ECNV Vaccination Schedule ››
ECNV Around Town
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Vaccines for All!
During the month of August, ECNV continued its community vaccination campaign and distribution of COVID home tests in Northern Virginia, thus fulfilling the mission of caring for diverse communities, guaranteeing access to vaccines and access to free COVID home tests. In addition to these activities, ECNV also participated in other events related to our mission.
For kids getting to go Back to School, we participated as a partner in all the events organized by the Fairfax County Office of Neighborhood and Community Services and Second Story, by providing free COVID home tests and donating backpacks and school supplies for distribution to children and youth from vulnerable and low-income multicultural communities.
ECNV also shared information about our Bienvenidos, and RAMP programs.
Dan Storck's Back to School Community Day
On Saturday, August 3, 2024 Supervisor Dan Storck’s Back to School Community Day, in partnership with Fairfax County, hosted a successful event at Lorton Community Center route one corridor. ECNV was a partner in this wonderful event! We had over 2,400 people present and gave away 700 backpacks to children, ECNV distributed over 150 free COVID home tests and held a vaccine clinic. We hope to create more events like these in the future and to continue to partner to make communities in Fairfax County healthier.
"Our Voices, Our Future" Multilingual Learners Summit
On Thursday, August 8, 2024, ECNV, Bienvenidos and ADVC programs, participated in the "Our Voices, Our Future" Multilingual Learners Summit which was organized by Fairfax County Public Schools. The summit was a memorable experience for all who attended, where families from multicultural backgrounds attended. This event received both inspiring and impactful information and an extensive number of resources.
Bailey's Back-to-School Event
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, ECNV was a key partner for the Bailey’s Back-to-School Event. With over 700 attendees and 350 backpacks distributed, our support was crucial in making the event a huge success! Seva Truck and Ñoño’s Taqueria provided complimentary meals to all attendees!
ECNV and Corazon de America Partnership
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Corazon de America distributed more than 400 backpacks to immigrant families. ECNV gave unconditional support to vulnerable newcomers immigrant communities and free COVID home test kits. The program included game therapy for children who survived the severe trauma of crossing the border.
Springfield Resource Center
On Monday, August 12, 2024, ECNV had an event at Springfield Resource Center, where families gathered to pick up backpacks for children going back to school, as well as supplies. We also distributed free COVID test kits.
Carrousal Apartments
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, ECNV staff, Carlos Marquez, Rosalia Fajardo and Lorena Granados distributed backpacks for kids going back to school this coming fall, as well as free COVID home test kits.
Meta's Tech and Accessibility Meeting
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, ECNV was invited to be a part of Meta's Tech and Accessibility Meeting. Along with 12 incredible leaders largely from the Blind and Low Vision community. Keri Gray, Meta accessibility Consultant shared, "Your feedback was invaluable, and it’s something we do not take for granted. It has already proven to be incredibly useful to our teams as we navigate the path toward building more inclusive technology."
ECNV and Second Story Work Together for Refugees
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, ECNV staff Rosalia Fajardo and Lorena Granados, along with Second Story, gave away free COVID home tests to refugees.
Explore our Newsletter Archive to access all of our current and past newsletters!
Be on the lookout for a distinct "Be in the Know" email, which will be distributed within the next few weeks.