• Keeping Unsheltered Homeless Safe in Freezing Weather
    
• Strike Out Hunger on March 12!

• 2015 Annual Report: Impact That YOU Made Possible
   
• Simple Ways to Help Your Neighbors 

• Alma’s Journey

• SERVE Open House: Tuesday, Feb. 23

• NVFS Home Page
• About Us
• Donate

United Way: #8099
CFC: #79645

Keeping Unsheltered Homeless Safe in Freezing Weather
 

Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but for the unsheltered, nights bring a serious threat. NVFS, in partnership with Fairfax County’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, local faith and civic communities, and volunteers, coordinates the county’s Hypothermia Prevention Program for Region 2 from November 1 to March 31. No one is turned away from shelter.

On a typical day, hypothermia clients arrive at Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter (BCCS) around 4 p.m. to take hot showers, eat dinner, participate in life skills workshops and get warm clothing. Although clients are typically taken to faith community partner sites to sleep, roads were too treacherous during last month’s blizzard. BCCS Interim Director Mario Wright and his team rose to the challenge, coordinating sleeping arrangements at BCCS for 55 hypothermia guests – in addition to the shelter’s 50 residents.

Find out more at www.nvfs.org/hypothermia. You can support homelessness prevention in Northern Virginia by donating here, or emailing Meagan Perkins to get involved!
 

In the fall of 2013, a Central American immigrant named Alma and her two teenage children were rushed to the hospital after suffering physical abuse from Alma’s partner (the teenagers’ father). The long, subsequent legal journey was made even more difficult by the lasting effects of the abuse on Alma, including flashbacks, depression, extreme fear, problems sleeping and guilt for separating her children from their father. Alma’s CPS case manager suggested that she call NVFS.

Alma began NVFS’ women’s support group for survivors of domestic violence. When she completed the group, the facilitator determined that she needed more intensive services, and so Alma began receiving individual mental health services at NVFS.

The group facilitator also referred Alma to NVFS’ legal services, where Alma was then helped to prepare U visa applications and work permits for herself and her son (her daughter having been born in the United States). Their case was approved in 2014, and that same year, Alma’s son graduated from high school in Fairfax County.

These remarkable accomplishments were all made possible because of the comprehensive approach to services provided at NVFS. Learn more about Alma’s story here. 
   

Only three weeks until our 25th Strikes for SERVE Bowl-a-thon, and lanes are filling up. Register your team today! Help our less fortunate neighbors who suffer from hunger and homelessness. Visit www.nvfs.org/bowlathon or contact Pam Boyle at 571.748.2537 for more information.
  

Your support makes a difference in our community. From heartwarming stories to statistics that represent thousands of improved lives, we hope you take pride in the impact YOU helped us achieve, showcased here in NVFS’ 2015 Annual Report.
  

Donate a much-needed item

1. SERVE’s shelter needs new bed pillows! Drop-off/shipping address: 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110.
    

2. Welcome Home baskets are needed for clients moving into permanent housing. This is a great team-building or individual project! Baskets/containers filled with kitchen, bathroom and/or bedroom items can be dropped off during regular business hours at 10056 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110. For questions, contact Pam Boyle at 571.748.2537.
    

3. A client working on his Master Mechanic certification needs craftsman tools but does not have the means to purchase them. To donate Sears gift cards or any of the tools on this list, contact Andrea Sullivan at 571.748.2605.
    

Shop with Amazon Smile

Shop using your Amazon Smile account and earn a donation to NVFS – at no cost to you! Just click here and remember to log in through smile.amazon.com. Compatible with Amazon Prime.
  

Join us for a SERVE Open House tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23 from 4 – 5 p.m. Take a tour, learn about SERVE’s shelter, Hunger Resource Center and other programs, and see how you can get involved. Light refreshments are served. Questions? Contact Pam Ryan.