two children in a playground
Photographer Mary Catherine Wickham, marycatherinephotography.com, Courtesy of Jubilee JumpStart
Photographer Mary Catherine Wickham, marycatherinephotography.com, Courtesy of Jubilee JumpStart
Human Services
According to the DC Policy Institute, “the District has a higher level of income inequality than any state in the country, with households in the top 20 percent of income having 29 times more income than the bottom 20 percent.” Twenty-nine times. It is this difference that drives the vast majority of the work represented in this (and other) sections of the Catalogue. One in three persons faces food insecurity and the number is even higher (50% or more) for Black and Brown residents and for children (61%). As inflation increases, the problem only gets worse for those who can’t afford the food they need and for the organizations sourcing it to help them.
nonprofits have a tough road ahead
(Most of the adults surveyed by Capital Area Food Bank are employed, but wages don’t keep up with the high cost of living in the region.) Housing is problematic for the same reason: gentrification and rising prices have pushed many out of familiar neighborhoods and others onto the streets. Although official reports from the Mayor’s office show a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, the number of “chronically homeless people is increasing – and burgeoning encampments are now part of the fabric of downtown”, according to The Washington Post which also, separately, reports that “2020 was the first time that gunfire killed more people 19 and younger than car accidents.” In short, the nonprofits featured in these pages have a tough road ahead: feeding families, providing housing and housing support, offering workforce training to move families out of poverty, supporting LGBTQ youth, newly arrived immigrants, and returning citizens, and finding ways to keep young people engaged and safe. It isn’t work for the faint of heart, but it is work for those who believe that racial equity and access to opportunity are human rights.
Hands holding a bunch of beets
Photographer Molly M Peterson, Courtesy of Crossroads Community Food Network
crossroads community food network
For many residents of Maryland’s Takoma/Langley Crossroads, a diverse, largely immigrant community, food that was fresh, local, healthy, and affordable was simply out of reach – until Crossroads opened its seasonal farmers market in 2007. It was the first in Maryland to accept federal nutrition benefits and first in the country to match them with tokens of equal value – a model that has been replicated at hundreds of farmers markets nationwide. Crossroads’ Healthy Eating Program shares with students and parents at local schools, community gardens, and the Crossroads Farmers Market, strategies for incorporating local produce into their daily diets. Its Microenterprise Development Program helps entrepreneurs overcome barriers as they develop food businesses and its shared-use community kitchen provides an affordable means of production. Feeding hungry people, promoting healthy eating, and supporting local farmers or new food businesses: Crossroads does it all.
wish list $100: 4 healthy eating
food demos serving 240 shoppers;
$500: 16 hours of technical assistance
for a small-scale food business; $1000:
fresh produce for 5 families for 1 month
Lauren Goldberg,
Executive Director
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 426
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Tel 301 615 3806
Learn More
Give Now
bridges to independence
wish list $100: after-school snacks
for 20 youth; $500: 1 employment
workshop; $1000: 1 month’s rent
for a single mom and 2 kids
Fraser Murdoch, CEO
46 South Glebe, Suite 201
Arlington, VA 22204
Tel 703 525 7177
Learn More
Give Now
Bridges leads children and families out of homelessness and into stable, independent futures. Every year, hundreds of people in crisis find refuge at the emergency shelter for families and through the rapid re-housing program. Participants move quickly into safe, affordable, and permanent housing and receive case management, employment services, and financial literacy training to ensure long-term stability. Two-thirds of constituents are children and Bridges provides an extensive youth program to build their confidence, help them cope with the trauma of homelessness, improve academically, and explore college and career pathways. For the past five years, 100% of high school seniors graduated and continued on to college, employment, vocational training, or a combination of these post-secondary options. Bridges also offers free services and programs at a community services center in South Arlington.The mandate? Make homelessness brief and ensure that no family experiences it again.
the national reentry network for returning citizens
wish list $100: professional attire
or workwear for 2 job seekers; $500:
1 month of housing; $1000: 5-week
job readiness and placement program
Courtney Stewart,
Founder & CEO
1200 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 584 1000
Learn More
Give Now
NRNRC’s founder entered the juvenile justice system at the age of nine and the revolving door of incarceration until his parole in 1985 – so he comes at the work from a place of knowledge. The 5-week job readiness and placement program prepares reentrants for employment and connects them with living-wage jobs. (Digital literacy training is up next.) Guidance and support from a year-long mentor/navigator as well as connection with a support network helps reentrants work toward accountability, stability, and healing. Safe housing and accompanying programming address a critical need for a population that faces formidable housing barriers and needs a place to heal and rebuild. Advocacy is also key: practiced organizers and reentrants can claim successes like the establishment of a ballot box in the DC jails and enfranchisement of returning citizens. NRNRC has given people chances they never thought they would have.
loudoun cares
wish list $100: referral services
for 4 families; $500: 18-hour course
for 25 nonprofit volunteer managers;
$1000: 40 hours of ConnectLine
staff supporting families in need
Valerie Pisierra,
Executive Director
PO Box 83
Leesburg, VA 20178
Tel 703 669 2351
Learn More
Give Now
Even in the wealthiest county in the country, many residents live on the edge and seek help just to survive: parents with low incomes, single parents, children, veterans, disabled persons, people experiencing homelessness, the elderly. Roughly 95% of Loudoun Cares clients fall at or below 70% of the Area Median Income level and 50% of these are experiencing poverty. Its ConnectLine links them to nonprofits and agencies that assist with basic needs like food, clothing, diapers, rent/utility assistance, job services, and ESL classes. Since the start of the pandemic, Loudoun Cares has served over 7,460 residents, nearly half of them children. Meanwhile, the Volunteer Center matches individuals and businesses that want to help (2,500 volunteers in the last two years) with 240+ registered nonprofits. Loudoun Cares works at both ends of the spectrum – connecting those in need with those who can offer support.
human services
basic needs, food, & housing
two women walking by cherry blossom trees
Courtesy of JCADA
jcada
For 21 years, JCADA has educated the Greater Washington community about intimate partner violence while annually providing life-changing support to more than 1,800 survivors of trauma and abuse. Programs are free, culturally-sensitive, faith-sensitive, and available to all – regardless of faith, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Wraparound services (a confidential helpline, counseling and therapy, safety planning) and legal support empower victims to live safely. An education program equips community members, particularly clergy and lay leaders, with the knowledge and tools to spot the warning signs of abuse within their networks and respond appropriately. And AWARE, JCADA’s prevention initiative, gives youth the language and skills to help themselves or assist a friend who may be affected by abuse – breaking the cycle of violence for future generations. Today, more victims are coming forward than ever before: let’s make sure their voices are heard.
wish list $100: burner phone for
a person in danger; $500: protective
order against their abuser for 1 survivor;
$1000: 10 hours of free counseling to
a victim of power-based violence
Amanda Katz,
Executive Director
PO Box 2266
Rockville, MD 20847
Tel 301 315 8040
Learn More
Give Now
good shepherd housing & family services

wish list $100: backpack and
school supplies for a school-aged youth;
$500: summer camp for 1 child;
$1000: rent for a client experiencing
a job loss or medical emergency

David Levine,
President & CEO
8305 Richmond Highway, Suite 17B
Alexandria, VA 22309
Tel 703 768 9404
Learn More
Give Now
Give Now
GSH is dedicated to serving Fairfax County’s “hidden homeless” – working families who struggle to pay rent at market rates and live one paycheck away from a crisis. Through its affordable housing program, it charges rent that families with low incomes can afford, while leaving them enough money to pay for food, clothing, and childcare. Individualized case management and support services (financial education and coaching, budgeting, credit skill building, connections to job fairs and training) get clients on the path to self-sufficiency. Some are bravely weathering a medical crisis; others are seeking a better job; many are determined to give their children a better life. The Children’s Resources program gives them that chance, providing the young members of tenant families with access to summer camps, field trips, one-on-one academic tutoring, and more. For so many, it means a new lease on life.
food for others
wish list $50: 5 days of meals for
a family; $100: 1 gallon of milk
for 60 families; $500: weekend
“power packs” for 125 school children
Annie Turner,
Executive Director
2938 Prosperity Avenue
Fairfax, VA 22031
Tel 703 207 9173
Learn More
Give Now
The ’08 recession and later the pandemic brought a huge increase in the number of people seeking emergency food. The high cost of living in Northern Virginia, along with inflation and supply chain issues, only exacerbate the problem: some neighbors simply can’t meet their families’ basic needs. FFO is the first stop for those in crisis (including working families with children), providing emergency food to those without, bulk supplies to community partners, supplementary food at 11 neighborhood sites and nine mobile sites in underserved neighborhoods, and weekend “power packs” to 3,700 students at 43 Fairfax County public schools. 33% of the food distributed is fresh produce and nearly 900,000 pounds is gleaned through food recovery efforts. Volunteers logged approximately 29,000 hours last year while FFO continued to serve over 3,000 families a week – because no one should be left hungry.
mobile hope association

wish list $100: food and hygiene
items for a family of 4 distributed by
bus; $500: 5 nights of emergency shelter;
$1000: 1 month of transitional
housing in Mobile Hope’s apartment

Donna Fortier,
Founder & CEO
302 Parker Court SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
Tel 703 771 1400
Learn More
Give Now
They could be couch-surfing, packed into an apartment without a lease, or living in a car. For Loudoun County youth (up to age 24) who are unstably housed or homeless, Mobile Hope is there to provide wraparound care and support. Offered at its Leesburg campus and via a fleet of five vehicles, its homelessness prevention program helps kids in precarious housing cover basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene care) and prepare for safe, independent lives – help with SAT fees, classes in money management, aid in securing employment. Youth who literally have no roof over their heads receive emergency shelter, long-term housing support, and case management to address mental health and substance abuse issues. Trading Up, a new school, provides opportunities to acquire skills, apprenticeships, and trade certifications. Last year, 408 homeless or at-risk youth found shelter, a stable home, or support through Mobile Hope.

human services

children, youth, & families
Child paying attention to a woman teaching her
Photographer Mary Catherine Wickham, marycatherinephotography.com, Courtesy of Jubilee JumpStart
jubilee jumpstart
Nestled in the heart of Adams Morgan, Jubilee JumpStart offers affordable, high-quality early childhood education to young children (ages 0 – 5) primarily from low-income households. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., this dual-language program works to ensure that all of its students, regardless of socio-economic background, are prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Through a partnership with the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis, analysts offer pro-bono mental health support, helping teachers and parents address each child’s emotional or developmental needs. A comprehensive family engagement program includes an intensive 12-week parenting course alongside weekly coffee hours and social gatherings. And for struggling families, Jubilee JumpStart serves as an invaluable resource for legal needs, housing assistance, referrals to domestic violence programs, and other social services. Supporting children and their families together means ending poverty two generations at a time.
wish list $100: board books for infants and toddlers; $500: personal protective gear for children and teachers; $1000: new playground equipment for outdoor learning
Dee Dee Parker Wright,
Executive Director
2525 Ontario Road NW, #B
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 506 4607
Learn More
Give Now
jennifer bush-lawson foundation
wish list $100: 2 lactation bundles
to support breastfeeding moms; $500:
5 infant car seats; $1000: 20 pack ‘n
plays (safe sleeping areas) for infants
Kelly Garrity,
Executive Director
1069 West Broad Street, Suite 242
Falls Church, VA 22046
Tel 703 462 2336
Learn More
Give Now
Arlington County is one of the richest counties in the US but almost 3,000 children under age four live at or below 200% of the federal poverty line ($27,750 for a family of four). The majority are underinsured and experience obstacles to care including inadequate transportation, lack of willing healthcare providers, language barriers, childcare needs, and the consequences of missed work. Founded in honor of a young mother of three who died in a tragic accident, JB-LF meets families’ basic needs so that they can bring baby home safely (car seats, nursing supplies, safe sleeping areas, transportation funds), raises awareness about and advocates for increased access to (better) pre- and post-natal care (innovative telemedicine programs have been successful here), and conducts research on the state of maternal health for women in Arlington with low incomes – research designed to effect long-term change.
prince george’s child resource center
wish list $100: car seats for 2
children; $500: family literacy classes
for a program participant for 1 year;
$1000: 10 group therapy sessions for
caregivers‘ mental health support
Jennifer Iverson,
Executive Director
9475 Lottsford Road, Suite 202
Largo, MD 20774
Tel 301 772 8420 ext 1005
Learn More
Give Now
PGCRC’s Family Support Center is the hub for culturally-competent, family-friendly programs: child development and family literacy, parenting and health education, job readiness and employment skills. All services are free, including on-site childcare and door-to-door transportation. Staff members speak Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Dari, and Farsi – because speaking someone’s language matters. The Home Visiting program builds on families’ strengths so that infants and children can thrive. It includes Family Connects, which brings nurses to the home right after birth, and Healthy Families, which focuses on positive parenting. Project Win helps identify children in childcare programs who have special needs. In addition to providing professional development to over 1,000 childcare providers each year, the Resource Center offers training and on-site mentoring support to inner-beltway providers serving children from low-income communities. PGCRC reaches out to families in Prince George’s County and beyond.
foster and adoptive parent advocacy center
wish list $100: holiday gifts for
the kids; $500: 1 year of parenting
classes for birth parents; $1000:
advocacy and support for a family
Najiba Hlemi,
Executive Director
508 Kennedy Street NW, Suite 303
Washington, DC 20011
Tel 202 269 9441
Learn More
Give Now
Advocating for systemic change and problem resolution, FAPAC is committed to seeing that children in the child welfare system find stability and permanency with loving parents who are prepared and supported to meet the special needs caused by abuse and neglect. It works with birth parents wanting to learn parenting skills, foster and adoptive parents needing support and training, birth and adoptive parents seeking to co-parent, and youth desiring to share their voices and advocate for a better, more compassionate system. Comprehensive support and training enable foster, kinship, and adoptive parents to access services needed to care for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, and abuse, and to develop skills to serve as advocates for themselves and their peers. FAPAC provides skills and support to help families stay strong so they will not have to enter or reenter the foster care system.

human services

children, youth, & families
kids in colorful shirts sitting on the floor raising their arms
Photographer Lesley Forde, lesleyfordephotography.com, Courtesy of Real Food for Kids
real food for kids
Founded to address the disconnect between rising rates of childhood obesity and the quality of school food, RFFK collaborates with school districts to increase scratch cooking. Education programs such as Fresh Food Explorers increase vegetable consumption among low-income preschoolers. The Chef Exchange Program pairs school nutritionists with professional chefs to collaborate on new approaches to healthy school food while the Culinary Challenge tasks middle and high schoolers to do the same. Chefs Feeding Families, launched with the hospitality industry, provides plant-forward meal kits to families facing nutrition insecurity while creating employment opportunities in the restaurant community. SNAP Ambassadors trains key community members to support eligible residents in the securing of benefits for their families. Imagine a food landscape that supports individuals and families as they seek to nourish themselves for optimal health. Then meet Real Food for Kids.

wish list $100: 1 week of fresh seasonal produce to 7 families; $500: training for 10 SNAP Ambassadors; $1000: 5 school nutrition staff to participate in the Chef Exchange Program

Bonnie Moore,
Executive Director
6166 Hardy Drive
McLean, VA 22101
Tel 202 258 3297
Learn More
Give Now
platform of hope

wish list $100: 1 hour of parenting
class; $800: cash assistance to a family
for 1 year; $1000: Family Saturday
Gathering – bilingual childcare, activities,
catering, supplies for 75 families

Judy Estey,
Executive Director
2708 Ontario Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 664 5434
Learn More
Give Now
POH is a hyper-local effort to respond to the needs of Adams Morgan/Columbia Heights families struggling to remain in their community as it has rapidly gentrified. The approach is cross-disciplinary, addressing family success in affordable housing, asset building, child development, arts, education, health, and wellness. POH provides individualized, self-directed coaching that facilitates personal and family goal setting, hosts monthly family sessions to build social capital and robust community support networks, and facilitates and programs additional trainings and services based on self-reported needs (parenting classes, trauma-informed therapy, financial literacy, vaccine hesitancy). With the continued partnership of anchor institutions Jubilee Housing, Mary’s Center, Sitar Arts Center and Jubilee JumpStart, POH is uniquely positioned to support families across the different fields, navigate and expedite access to services, and empower a cohort of families – 20 new ones are added annually – as they make decisions about their own lives.
goodprojects
wish list $100: 1 week of groceries
for a family of 4; $500: 1 field trip
for Dreamers in GOODCamps;
$1000: after-school care for 20 days
at the GOODLearning Hub
Darius Baxter,
Chief Engagement Officer
996 Maine Avenue SW, #208
Washington, DC 20024
Tel 202 270 1278
Learn More
Give Now
The GOODZone in Southwest DC was established by GOODProjects in the largest public housing community in the District. It is the geographical focus of a place-based and community-driven model for transitioning entire communities out of poverty. The core program, Family Success Planning, works with families to build on their strengths, help them set goals, and identify the supports they need to reach self-sufficiency. During the pandemic, GOODProjects leaned into its community’s needs and developed the GOODLearning Hub so that kids would have a safe and nurturing environment to excel academically through high-intensity tutoring. Its Feeding Program continues to deliver more than 500 weekly bags of fresh, mostly local produce. And its GOODCamp is a six-week summer enrichment experience for children ages 8–17. The long-term goal? Lift 500 families out of poverty and into self-sufficiency – and serve as a model for communities nationwide.
the arc of northern virginia
wish list $100: planning consultation for long-term needs; $500: 1 workshop on a disability topic; $1000: expands advocacy efforts at local and state levels
Rikki Epstein,
Executive Director
2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200
Falls Church, VA 22043
Tel 703 208 1119
Learn More
Give Now
Virginia is ranked 39th in the nation when it comes to services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – an appalling statistic for families in our region whose loved ones (some 39,000) have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, rare chromosomal disorders, and other disabilities. The Arc of Northern Virginia provides services to residents of all ages – free workshops and online resources that address critical topics like navigating the complex disability system, honing life-planning tools, developing critical tech supports. Its advocacy work gives families a voice; a special needs trust helps families plan for a child’s future; and Transition POINTS aids them as they make decisions at key points across their loved one’s lifespan. The Arc responds to thousands of calls and emails a year on everything from therapists to jobs to housing options, and demand for services continues to grow.

human services

children, youth, & families
A young family smiling at the camera
Courtesy of LIFT-DC
lift-dc
All families deserve a better future – whatever their race, ethnicity, or zip code. But financial resources, like the lack thereof, are passed down from generation to generation, and decades of racial inequity and underinvestment have kept some families trapped in poverty. LIFT-DC’s mission is to break the cycle by investing in parents. Its holistic, one-on-one coaching helps build families’ well-being, financial strength, and social connections to lift two generations at once. Parents discover LIFT through trusted partnerships like community colleges and early childcare centers and through parent-to-parent referrals. Using action plans created with their coaches and wraparound supports like direct cash assistance, parents set and achieve goals like going back to school, improving credit, eliminating debt, or securing a living wage. Since 2001, over 10,000 LIFT-DC parents have achieved greater financial stability and put their families on the path to economic mobility.
wish list $100: 4 hours of coaching for 1 member; $1000: a year of cash assistance for 1 member; $3500: a full 2 years in LIFT’s program for 1 member
Catalina Talero,
Executive Director
999 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20002
Tel 202 289 2525 ext 308
Learn More
Give Now
kindred

wish list $100: 5 gift cards for
caregivers who attend dialogue sessions;
$500: 1 stipend for caregivers to
attend parent teacher meetings; $1000:
1-year Zoom subscription for a school
partner

Zakiya Sackor,
Executive Director
PO Box 96503 PMB 73621
Washington, DC 20090
Tel 202 714 4946
Learn More
Give Now
Kindred partners with students, caregivers, staff, and leadership (in 17 schools to date) to engage in a series of brave dialogues. Participants reflect on their multifaceted identities, develop trusting relationships, and examine how racism and other forms of injustice perpetuate inequitable outcomes for students. From this work, a representative subset of participants emerges to become equity leaders. They facilitate dialogue with new community members, conduct an equity audit, and develop an equity action plan that ensures a balance of power among community members and engages the school community in co-creating a vision. A sustainability plan is the last step: it includes the shared vision, community agreements, clear roles and responsibilities, and a protocol for monitoring progress on the school’s journey toward equity. The ultimate goal? Everyone has a voice in creating a school community where they are seen, valued, and heard.
my sister’s place
wish list $100: emergency funds
for an unexpected bill; $500:
1 month of children’s programming
at the shelter; $1000: furniture for
a family moving into a new home
Mercedes Lemp,
Executive Director
1436 U Street NW, Suite 303
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 529 3328
Learn More
Give Now
MSP is one of only two shelters that accepts entire families fleeing domestic violence. And it meets survivors wherever they are in their journeys: from an emergency shelter that houses up to 45 people (adults find a welcoming home and resources for their children), to transitional housing programs that support both shelter clients and survivors referred by sister organizations (RISE for one and RISE Plus for two years of support), to after-care clients and survivors outside of the residential program who still seek help. The bilingual staff also collaborates with organizations that serve immigrant communities, addressing the special challenges they face. Trauma-informed counseling and solutions-focused case management help survivors develop and pursue stable, independent lives. Special funds support them in managing temporary financial crises or setting up new homes. It’s a true continuum of care, available to clients as long as they need it.
scan of northern virginia
wish list $100: grocery assistance for 1 family; $500: 1 program for youth & caregivers on healthy family relationships; $1000: child protection training for 1 organization
Leah Fraley,
Executive Director
205 South Whiting Street, Suite 205
Alexandria, VA 22304
Tel 703 820 9001 ext 110
Learn More
Give Now
Last year, child protection agencies received over 3.1 million referrals for child abuse and neglect – more than 20,000 in Northern Virginia alone where SCAN is the only organization solely focused on stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect. Programs connect families to services that support their mental, physical, and emotional health: intensive one-on-one coaching combined with parenting classes, resource triage, and collaboration with partners to meet basic needs. SCAN also trains professionals such as teachers and coaches to respond to and prevent abuse. Public education initiatives – online at the Parent Resource Center, on the radio, and through a coalition of advocates – raise awareness about child abuse and its consequences. SCAN also operates the Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, which has given voice to over 3,500 children in foster care. The vision? A permanent, safe, nurturing home for all children.
human services
children, youth, & families
Girl hugging a parents and smiling at the camera
Courtesy of Hope House DC
hope house dc
wish list $100: food for
4 families receiving boost baskets;
$500: art supplies for 1 camp;
$1000: van rental to drive kids
to summer camp with their dads
Carol Fennelly & Yolanda Gule,
Co-Executive Directors
6031 3rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20011
Tel 202 506 2253
Learn More
Give Now
For incarcerated men and women – about 3700 DC residents in over 100 prisons from here to California – and for their children, displacement has grave consequences. But through Hope House programs, children experience the thrill of new books, the joy of hearing their parent read to them on audio tapes, and the positive messages they hear about education, behavior, and love. Week-long summer camps behind bars focus on arts, literacy activities, and fun. While working together on life-size murals, parents find ways to communicate family history, important life lessons, and even favorite relationship tips. Older kids participate in a college challenge as they seek out resources to support their college dreams; “boost baskets” help the neediest families; peer support groups address a critical problem – the isolation and social stigma experienced by children deprived of a loved parent.
friends of fort dupont ice arena
wish list $100: 1 8-week Learn
To Skate session for 3 siblings;
$500: 22-week Kids On Ice PLUS
for 3 students; $1000: 4 30-student
sessions during the school year
Ron Slomski,
Interim Executive Director
3779 Ely Place SE
Washington, DC 20019
Tel 202 584 5007
Learn More
Give Now
FDIA is the only public indoor skating facility east of the Anacostia River in the heart of Ward 7. A diverse place for children to learn life lessons while having fun and creating relationships, it offers free or subsidized programming to more than 3,500 youth a year. Learn To Skate group classes for ages five and up teach respect and responsibility. Kids on Ice PLUS (Positive Living Using Skating) offers advanced instruction in synchronized skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating. DC public and public charter schools integrate skating into their physical education curriculum while summer camps ensure that children have an engaging (and cool) place to learn and have fun. An educational meeting room includes ten computer workstations and an off-ice training studio. At FDIA kids build self-confidence, self-esteem, character, and a sense of accomplishment both on and off the ice.
keen greater dc
wish list $100: snacks and refreshments
for volunteer coaches; $500:
sponsorship of 1 participant for a year;
$1000: a year of KEEN Zumba
instruction at one program location
Beata Okulska,
Executive Director
PO Box 341590
Bethesda, MD 20827
Tel 301 461 5353
Learn More
Give Now
It was clear from the beginning: children, teenagers, and young adults with profound disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other severe health problems, needed support. Existing organizations focused on medical, vocational, and occupational needs, but none offered exercise and recreation programs designed especially for children with profound disabilities. So KEEN stepped in, committed to serving those so often left out. Children are matched one-on-one with trained volunteer coaches to play basketball, tennis, soccer; to swim, bowl, and just have fun. They gain skills, confidence, and self-esteem, while volunteers learn to be patient, open-minded, and sensitive to the needs of others and to diversity. The goal is to serve all young people with special needs and to continue providing programs free of charge. Opening doors for everyone is what it’s all about.
human services
girls & women
Mom and young daughter smiling to the camera
Courtesy of Generation Hope
generation hope

wish list $100: culturally-relevant
books to build a home library;
$500: mentorship training for a
scholar/mentor pair; $1000:
comprehensive career-readiness programming

Nicole Lynn Lewis, CEO
415 Michigan Avenue NE, Suite 430
Washington, DC 20017
Tel 202 656 8704
Learn More
Give Now
With one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the nation, DC is home to thousands of young families living in poverty. Many lack an education: fewer than 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree before age 30. Founded by a former teen mother, Generation Hope surrounds these young parents with the support they need to thrive in college … and to help their little ones enter kindergarten ready for success. The Scholar Program provides parents with a mentor, crisis support, and up to $2,400 a year in tuition assistance. Meanwhile, Next Generation Academy offers home visits, parenting support, learning materials, and access to high-quality childcare for scholars’ children ages one to five. Next year Generation Hope will support 150 Scholars and 40 children, and provide college-readiness workshops to 300 parenting high schoolers. More diplomas are on the way.
healthy babies project
wish list $100: metro card for travel
to classes; $500: 1 month of food for
a pregnant or parenting mom/child;
$1000: 10 days’ emergency respite
for a domestic violence survivor
Regine Elie,
Executive Director
4501 Grant Street NE
Washington, DC 20019
Tel 202 396 2809
Learn More
Give Now
DC’s most economically challenged wards have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation and an infant mortality rate nearly twice the national average. Young people struggle to envision a life beyond poverty and to imagine how they might change their life trajectories. So HBP lays the groundwork for change by providing life skills classes that help young people make healthy choices and prevent teen pregnancy. The teen parents it does serve get evidence-based, one-on-one case management support so they can have healthy babies and build healthy, self-reliant families. Job readiness and advocacy training help everyone move out of poverty and into economic independence. The approach is holistic, hands-on, interactive, long-term. Last year alone, fewer than 1% of clients experienced an unplanned pregnancy, 100% of pregnant youth had healthy babies, and 223 District youth imagined a different future and took charge of their lives.
mamatoto village
wish list $200: 1 week of
groceries for a client family; $500:
emergency shelter or utility assistance
for 1 client; $2000: workforce
training scholarship for 1 woman
Aza Nedhari,
Executive Director
4315 Sheriff Road NE
Washington, DC 20019
Tel 202 248 3434
Learn More
Give Now
In the Washington region, Black women are four times likelier than their white counterparts to die from childbirth and their infants are 10 times likelier to die than those born in the wealthiest communities. Committed to serving under-resourced families of color, Mamatoto fights this and other staggering disparities in maternal health care. Throughout pregnancy, and for the first three months after, mothers receive comprehensive, culturally-relevant services (health education, care coordination, labor and breastfeeding support, counseling, nutrition services, and social and mental health supports) that empower them to make informed decisions about their health, their parenting, and their lives. Inspired by the care they received, clients often return to serve their community as trained community health workers and lactation consultants – thereby increasing the number of women of color employed in maternal health. Because every mom and every baby deserves quality care.

human services

girls & women
Young woman working with scientific tools
Courtesy of YWCA National Capital Area
ywca national capital area
wish list $100: groceries for 10
families; $500: transportation for a
week for 10 adult learners starting new
jobs; $1000: EmpowerSTEAM for 1
participant in the summer program
Monica Gray, CEO
2303 14th Street NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 626 0702
Learn More
Give Now
Providing mentorship, cultural enrichment, social-emotional learning, leadership training, and exposure to post-secondary education, YWCA’s EmpowerGirls helps Black and Latina middle schoolers from high-need communities develop the skills, abilities, and knowledge they need to achieve in the 21st century. Empower STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) helps them develop technical, creative, and interpersonal skills for success in the workforce and creates opportunities for students to build social capital – valuable connections to mentors, employers, and universities that broaden their academic and career prospects. A Career Education and Training Center helps under- and unemployed adults, primarily women, gain credentials and skills leading to certifications in hospitality, healthcare, and information technology. For over 100 years, YWCA NCA has advocated for racial and gender justice for women and girls in the region. Today, it helps them gain the credentials and confidence they need to succeed.
mother’s outreach network
wish list $100: stipends for 4
mothers to attend 1 meeting; $500:
printer and scanner for a popup
legal clinic; $1000: legal case
management software for 1 year
Melody Webb,
Executive Director
612 G Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
Tel 202 276 9253
Learn More
Give Now
MON is a racial justice and antipoverty organization that supports Black family preservation and economic security. Its approach is “movement lawyering”: lawyers work alongside a community, hear and elevate its voices, and use collaboration and advocacy (litigation takes a back seat). MON’s flagship program trains community members on their legal rights and the legislative process, empowering them to fight for themselves and their neighbors. The main focus is punitive child welfare laws and economic policies that separate mothers from children. MON also provides legal counsel and representation to aid mothers in challenging their placement on the Child Protection Register and obtaining refundable tax credits and other cash benefits. MotherUp is a guaranteed income pilot that would put cash in the hands of struggling Black moms caught in the web of the child welfare system – supporting them while they strive to preserve their families.
suited for change
wish list $100: 1 professional suit
with accessories; $500: 1 full
suiting experience (2 outfits, styling,
coaching session); $1000: 2 hours of
professional development for 20 women
Liz Reinert,
Executive Director
1023 15th Street NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20005
Tel 202 293 0351
Learn More
Give Now
SFC uses professional attire and workforce development to assist clients seeking financial security. It works with 100 partner organizations to arrange suiting appointments with women (some 1700 annually) facing high barriers to personal and professional success. In a one-hour, confidence-building session with stylists, they receive two fashionable, work-appropriate outfits – available for women whose preferences reflect a spectrum of gender identities – along with interview preparation and job coaching that ensures they are ready for their big interview. Additional outfits are added when clients secure employment. A professional readiness program provides workshops and an individualized coaching program emerges out of clients’ interests and needs: trained volunteers draw on personal experiences, skills, and networks to foster positive woman-to-woman relationships. SFC’s welcoming environment offers a respite from the challenges of gender, race, size, physical ability, income, and language that exist outside its walls.

human services

health, wellness, & senior services
Medical professional speaking to a man
Courtesy of Mercy Health Clinic
mercy health clinic
Removing the barriers of cost and language, Mercy Health provides a safety net for residents of Montgomery County who are poor or uninsured. It is also the medical home for 200 adolescents and a secondary provider for youth receiving care in school-based wellness centers at two nearby high schools. Exams, lab tests, x-rays, medications, chronic disease management, mental health care – all are available along with nearly a dozen specialties. Health education programs focus on preventative care and a partnership with Adventist Healthcare works to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and ER visits. The clinic accomplishes its work with the support of numerous partners (hospitals, labs) and volunteers (physicians, nurses, interpreters) who provide their time and expertise. In a community where access to decent healthcare is a serious problem for too many, Mercy’s high-quality care and services put people back in control of their health.
wish list $100: mammograms for 4
women; $500: 6 months of medication
& follow-up for a previously hospitalized
diabetic patient; $1000: 1 year of
primary care for 40 uninsured patients
Mark Foraker,
President & CEO
7 Metropolitan Court, Suite 1
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Tel 240 773 0329
Learn More
Give Now
community reach of montgomery county
wish list $100: a semester of
language class and 2 semesters of books
for 2 learners; $500: a month of insulin
and supplies for 1 patient; $1000:
rental support after an emergency
Agnes Saenz,
President & Executive Director
1010 Grandin Avenue, Suite A1
Rockville, MD 20851
Tel 301 637 0730
Learn More
Give Now
For over a half century, Reach has served Montgomery County’s most vulnerable residents, constantly adapting as needs evolve. Its health clinic provides medically underserved adults with health education and quality care (including the treatment of COVID-19), in person and via telehealth. Senior Reach provides the assistance that low-income seniors need to age in place, with volunteer callers providing the human connection seniors need. During a financial crisis, any client can call the emergency financial assistance program to get help with prescription costs, prevent utility shut-offs or eviction, and receive referrals to other social services. Language and citizenship classes for adult learners and tutoring for children are much in demand, while a housing program provides permanent supportive housing with case management and life skills development to men and women who were previously homeless. In other words, true to its name, Reach embodies community.
heart to hand
wish list $100: STI screening
and treatment for a client with
no insurance; $500: 5 sessions of
specialized mental health therapy;
$1000: emergency assistance fund
Dedra Spears Johnson,
Co-Founder & Executive Director
9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 400
Largo, MD 20774
Tel 301 772 0103 ext 102
Learn More
Give Now
Founded to address the lack of care available to Black women early in the HIV epidemic, H2H works with those living with or at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. The main population is Black adults 18 and over across the entire gender and sexual orientation spectrum who are at risk of acquiring HIV. Early Intervention ensures that persons behaviorally at risk or already living with HIV are connected to health education, testing, care navigation, and referrals for medical and social support. A medical case manager works to improve health outcomes while a non-medical case manager helps clients address barriers like limited access to food and housing that make treatment compliance difficult. Psycho-social support is also available and, of course, medical care – HIV and STI testing and treatment for all who need it. HIV is still with us; H2H is there.
nami northern virginia
wish list $100: year-long support
group attendance for 5; $500: 8
week/20-hour education course for 1
person; $3000: a new support group
for youth or young adults
Rebecca Kiessling,
Executive Director
10467 White Granite Drive
Oakton, VA 22124
Tel 571 458 7310
Learn More
Give Now
NAMI NoVA provides no-cost peer support to individuals and families as they navigate a new crisis, diagnosis, or ongoing mental health issue. It offers 16+ groups throughout Northern Virginia to individuals or their loved ones – peer-led, confidential spaces for participants to seek support and information. Two signature education courses, Peer-to-Peer and Family-to-Family, share information about mental health conditions, treatment options, and coping skills – both led by trained volunteers with lived experience. Community education efforts highlight the warning signs of mental health conditions, address the stigma, and encourage attendees to reach out for help when needed. Advocacy is also key – to raise awareness, engage youth, and build local and state-level support. NAMI NoVA encourages families, individuals, and youth to lend their voices to ending the stigma of mental health and improving their lives and the lives of others affected by mental illnesses.

human services

health, wellness, & senior services
Kids playing games
Courtesy of Grassroots Health
grassroots health
In 2009, after learning that DC had the highest HIV rate in the country, a Georgetown varsity athlete decided to recruit and train his NCAA student-athlete peers to deliver sexual health education at area schools – and Grassroots Health was born. Since then, more than 1,500 athletes have provided more than 50,000 hours of free sexual health education to over 10,000 DC teens. A three-year, sports-based health education curriculum covers sexual, nutritional, and mental health for middle school students in DC’s highest-need schools. Health communication workshops for middle school students’ parents and caregivers improve communication about what many find a sensitive subject. And community health fairs link students to critical youth-friendly clinical and social services. The athletes who provide their services at no cost are people to whom kids look up … and to whom they listen.
wish list $100: 1 hour sports-based
health education for 30 students;
$500: recruitment/ training of 10
NCAA facilitators; $1000: semester
of sexual health education for 30
Tyler Spencer, PhD,
Founder & Executive Director
740 15th Street NW, Suite 322
Washington, DC 20005
Tel 662 402 4054
Learn More
Give Now
our minds matter
wish list $100: leadership training
experience for 1 student; $500: club
supplies for 1 year; $1000: 1 monthly
mental health awareness campaign
Lauren Anderson,
Executive Director
1300 Carpers Farm Way
Vienna, VA 22182
Tel 703 346 3851
Learn More
Give Now
Josh was a typical teenage boy – a well-liked athlete who made friends easily. Yet in 2009, at age 17, he took his own life. His family, who had no idea of the extent of his hopelessness, founded the Josh Anderson Foundation — now Our Minds Matter — to help prevent teen suicide, the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 19. Since 2012, it has provided mental health education, resources, and support to over 200 schools and nearly 150,000 students in the DC metro area through in-school speaker presentations, awareness campaigns, and its signature program, Our Minds Matter clubs. Led by students, the clubs encourage social connectedness, reduce mental health stigma, and build coping and help-seeking skills. The goal is to create the conditions in which those who struggle will seek help, find a caring community, and support others.
community advocates for family and youth
wish list $100: new locks for
safety; $500: 3-4 safe-night hotel
stay; $1000: security deposit for
a family relocating out of fear
Arleen B Joell,
CEO & President
PO Box 4419
Capitol Heights, MD 20791
Tel 301 882 1210
Learn More
Give Now
For those in Prince George’s County – some 1400 a year – who experience a crime or suffer trauma, CAFY functions as the “social services emergency room.” Its most important job is to minimize trauma and ensure that people have a voice. Staff help with answers to questions like “so what now?”, “so where do I go?”, and “so when will I feel safe?” Therapists address mental health concerns, advocates help secure safe shelter, food, and clothing, and attorneys offer pro-bono legal services – all helping to answer “so what?/where?/when?” questions and ensure that victims become survivors. Services are offered in English and Spanish and are available 24/7 via the CAFY Helpline. For anyone who experiences a crime in the county, CAFY is there to help, providing necessary wraparound services on the journey toward healing and justice.
rock recovery
wish list $100: 2 hours of meal
support and therapy; $1000: 3
months of weekly body image therapy
(virtually or in person); $5000:
therapy and
support services for 6 months
Christie Dondero Bettwy,
Executive Director
1901 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 1130
Arlington, VA 22209
Tel 732 859 9515
Learn More
Give Now
Eating disorders are tragically common – affecting 30 million Americans in their lifetimes – yet treatment options remain scarce. Rock Recovery bridges the gap, offering treatment on a sliding scale for those in need, and focusing on individuals who need more than a weekly session with a therapist, but less than full-time treatment. Clients go about their lives while accessing affordable outpatient programs – group therapy, group meals and nutrition counseling, mentoring, and optional faith-based activities. Outreach programs educate and empower individuals to find recovery for themselves or their loved ones, increasing understanding of disordered eating while reducing the stigma surrounding it. Since 2020, Rock has more than tripled client capacity to meet the huge increase in demand caused by the pandemic, creating an invaluable community network where clients feel understood and supported on their journey toward better health.

human services

health, wellness, & senior services
senior men posing in boxing gloves
Courtesy of Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area
parkinson foundation of
the national capital area
A degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s Disease strikes people of all ages, though the majority are in their 60s and up. While there is no cure, PFNCA improves the quality of life for those living with PD and for care partners and families. It provides activities that are shown to slow the disease’s progression. Exercise, boxing, dance, and yoga provide therapeutic movement and help with balance, strength, and mobility; a communications club and choir work on vocal cord strengthening. Additionally, its Medical Advisory Board provides extensive educational offerings. With services provided to more than 2,500 people annually – and the need continuing to grow — PFNCA provides comprehensive resources to help those faced with the disease take steps to slow its impact and live well. It also fosters a sense of community, ensuring that no one battles this disease alone.
wish list $100: 1 exercise class for
25 people living with PD; $500:
2 wellness classes led by speech
therapists; $1000: 1 lecture live
streamed to more than 30 locations
Jared D Cohen,
President & CEO
3570 Olney Laytonsville Road, Suite 490
Olney, MD 20830
Tel 301 844 6510
Learn More
Give Now
loudoun volunteer caregivers
wish list $100: money management
services for 1 month; $500: 6 months
supplemental home-delivered food;
$1000: transportation for a person
with disabilities for 1 year
Susan Mandel Giblin,
Executive Director
704 South King Street, Suite 2
Leesburg, VA 20177
Tel 703 779 8617
Learn More
Give Now
LVC is the go-to nonprofit for Loudoun seniors, adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and their families. Volunteers do what most services won’t: help residents into and out of their homes, assist with walkers, collapsible wheelchairs, and packages. They wait at doctors’ offices, help with paperwork, and schedule follow-ups. LVC also provides transportation for individuals who cannot use public transport either because they are too frail or need personal aid following treatments. Volunteers deliver food to almost 125 homebound individuals and families twice a month – those who cannot get to pantries or cannot carry heavy bags. A money management program provides mentally disabled adults with the “representative payee” they need to receive their disability/social security benefits. Lawns get mowed, repairs get done, and hundreds of seniors and disabled adults get regular reassurance calls, vital for keeping loneliness and isolation at bay.
nova scriptscentral
wish list $100: monthly supply of
asthma medication for 100 children;
$500: diabetes medication for 312
uninsured patients; $1000: blood
pressure medication for 2,240 patients
Donney John, PharmD,
Executive Director
6400 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 120
Falls Church, VA 22042
Tel 703 532 0269
Learn More
Give Now
For people with chronic diseases, failing to follow a treatment plan can mean hospitalization – or worse. But uninsured families living in poverty are often forced to choose: pay for food and rent or purchase medication. NSC believes no family should have to make that choice. As Northern Virginia’s largest nonprofit pharmacy, it acts as a central-fill hub for 16 safety-net clinic partners with 30 locations across the region. In addition to providing low- to no-cost prescriptions to uninsured patients and those with low incomes, NSC works with clinics to improve medical care for the uninsured. Pharmacists also provide one-on-one support and follow-up for patients in need of extra attention. Health literacy programs on nutrition, skincare, immunizations, and more empower patients to lead healthier lives. Last year, NSC filled more than 7,000 prescriptions worth $2.6 million. Fill a script. Save a life.
people animals love
wish list $100: temperament evaluation
of 10 dogs; $500: 1 month of
virtual visits for 400 individuals;
$1000: leash, pet bandana, PAL t-shirt
for 50 new dog-and-handler teams
Heather L Gomes,
Executive Director
4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Suite 106-376
Washington, DC 20016
Tel 202 966 2171
Learn More
Give Now
PAL’s vision is to make the world a better place for humans and other animals by connecting them in helpful, healing ways. Dog-and-handler teams visit with people at more than 100 host sites: hospitals, treatment centers, senior communities, memory-care facilities, homeless shelters, libraries, jails, offices, airports, public schools, universities. The pandemic opened PAL’s eyes to the magic of on-screen connections too: close to 1000 young readers have participated in “Read to a PAL Dog!”, with some sessions in Spanish – and “Spanish-speaking” dogs. Seniors also enjoy on-screen visits and PAL is developing a program for children in pediatric hospitals. Following the January 6th insurrection, PAL dogs and handlers encouraged and consoled National Guard troops and Capitol Police. During the evacuation of Afghanistan, they comforted members of a round-the-clock task force. It’s all about the human-animal bond and generosity … toward all species.
human services
immigrant & refugee services
5 kids sitting on a bunk bed smiling at the camera

Courtesy of Homes Not Borders

homes not borders
wish list $100: 6 pillows made by refugee artisans for new homes; $500: mattress and bed frames for a family of 4; $1000: 2-weeks’ wages for a mover/driver helping set up a home
Laura Osuri,
Executive Director
3610 East Street
Landover, MD 20785
Tel 240 764 6420
Learn More
Give Now
HNB changed overnight with the enormous influx of Afghan refugees in August 2021, increasing five-fold from about six families a month to 40. They are newly resettled refugees, SIVs (special immigrant visa holders), and asylum seekers, mostly from Afghanistan but some from El Salvador, Myanmar, and Ethiopia. A government stipend of $1250 per individual helps, but without assistance the average family of four would spend half its funds on basic household needs. HNB provides all required furnishings and household items – along with extras like rugs, pictures, small appliances, and toys that help make an apartment a home. A program for refugee artisans pays them to make items for home set-ups (a win-win) and a special fund offers financial support for the training or mentoring that will help turn a job into a career. Partners call it all “the HNB touch.”
one journey
wish list $100: arts & crafts for
the kids’ tent; $500: honorarium to
bring refugee performers to the annual
Festival; $1000: equipment to host
30 nonprofits in the Take Action Tent
Wendy Chan & Vanda Berninger,
Co-Founders
915 North Oakland Street
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel 703 402 6204
Learn More
Give Now
One Journey builds enduring allies for refugees fleeing their home countries and facilitates human connection between them and their host communities. Its signature One Journey Festival celebrates the talents, stories and contributions of refugees around the world, bringing people together through the shared languages of art, food, music, dance, storytelling, sports, and technology. The Take Action tent lets festival guests connect with other local nonprofits serving the refugee community. An employment mentoring workshop and career fair connects refugees with coaches, and an annual Holiday Market showcases artisan crafts, providing financial opportunities for artists and occasions to share their cultures with a broader audience. Film screenings on refugee and immigrant issues followed by topical discussions with academics, community leaders, activists, and refugees share stories and inspire action. A leader in refugee welcoming, support, and advocacy, One Journey knows the value of celebration and connection.

tahirih justice center

wish list $100: 1 doctor’s
visit; $500: emergency housing for
a survivor and her children; $1000:
20 pay-as-you-go cell phones to
connect survivors with staff
Barfonce Baldwin,
Executive Director
6400 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 400
Falls Church, VA 22042
Tel 571 282 6161
Learn More
Give Now
Tahirih addresses an urgent need: serving survivors of gender-based violence, primarily immigrant women and girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. It provides holistic legal services, social service case management, advocacy, and education. Clients complete safety plans, set goals, develop budgets, and work with an advocate to find shelter, counseling, medical care, food, and clothing. The success rate is extraordinary: in immigration and family law cases, an astonishing 96%. In court and in the community, Tahirih gives a powerful voice to those who are not heard and whose needs often go unmet – training attorneys, police, judges, prosecutors, legislators, and social and medical service providers to understand the unique concerns facing those they serve, and then advocating for policies that better shield them. Each year, Tahirih seeks justice and rekindles hope for 2,000 courageous women, 1,000 of whom are members of our local community.

human services

legal services & justice programs
man sitting on a desk crowded with papers

dc volunteer lawyers project

All of DCVLP’s adult clients live in poverty and are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, or gender-based violence. Its child clients range in age from newborn through 17 years and are growing up in unsafe homes, facing violence, abuse, neglect, substance abuse, and/or untreated mental illness. All are in critical need of representation. DCVLP engages, trains, and supports hundreds of dedicated volunteer attorneys each year to handle emergency protection orders, custody, child/spousal support, divorce, and immigration cases for domestic violence victims, and to serve as court-appointed advocates for vulnerable children. It also operates walk-in/call-in clinics so residents can access legal advice on domestic violence, immigration, family law, and housing & employment rights related to domestic violence, and non-legal supports like social service referrals and safety planning. Last year DCVLP served over 2,100 victims and children. What’s the alternative?
wish list $100: helps a victim
file for immigration relief; $500:
funds a victim’s protection order case
against an abuser; $1000: gives voice
to a child victim in family court
Sara B Tennen,
Executive Director
5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20015
Tel 202 885 5542
Learn More
Give Now

alliance of concerned men

wish list $100: 2 weeks of gas
to transport youth; $500: office
supplies; $1000: $25 stipends for
20 youth in the Conflict Resolution
Youth Training program for 2 weeks
Terrance Staley,
Executive Director
3227 Dubois Place SE
Washington, DC 20019
Tel 202 913 6347
Learn More
Give Now
When Tyrone Parker returned from prison in 1987, he founded ACM to address the systemic issues that neglected DC communities face – lives destroyed by drugs, unplanned teenage pregnancy, and violence. Today, managing DYRS’s Credible Messenger program, ACM provides mentoring, job training, education, mental health, and case management to youth charged with felonies in juvenile detention. It manages a Cure the Streets program in Washington Highlands and the Conflict Resolution Youth Training Program, which teaches youth to develop and advance a culture of peace. A public safety pilot in Ward 7 aims to reduce the alarming rise in gun violence over the past year: formerly incarcerated men and women revive the roles of elders in traditional African societies—as knowledge keepers, spiritual leaders, counselors, healers, facilitators of reconciliation—to help solve one of the District’s (and American society’s) most perplexing and persistent problems.
council for court excellence
wish list $100: 2 honoraria
for focus group members; $500:
community meeting focused on
criminal justice issues; $1000: 250
copies of a community education guide
Misty Thomas,
Executive Director
1111 14th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Tel 202 785 5917 ext 101
Learn More
Give Now
CCE highlights systemic challenges in the justice system and through research, advocacy, technical support, coalition building, and education offers bold solutions to address them. Bringing a race equity lens to its work, it helps court-involved individuals – those charged with or vicitimized by crimes, senior citizens, people with disabilities, immigrants, and children trapped between the abuse/neglect and juvenile justice systems. Its criminal justice work tackles issues like the sealing of criminal records, employment barriers for returning citizens, and over-incarceration of Black people. Civil justice reform includes jury system modernization, language access, and civil case delay reduction. Youth justice efforts cover legal representation in family court, advocacy on the treatment of youth offenders, and school discipline. CCE also educates members of the community about their rights and the legal tools available – because District residents deserve a legal system that equitably serves everyone.
tzedek dc
wish list $100: metro cards for
clients to attend court hearings; $500:
closed captioning for a Disabilities
Community Project; $1000: bilingual
tools for community outreach
Ariel Levinson-Waldman,
Founding President & Director-Counsel
4340 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 319
Washington, DC 20008
Tel 202 599 6885
Learn More
Give Now
In 2017, the total US household debt hit an all-time high. Countless families are struggling, but when it comes to predatory lenders and debt collectors, communities of color are disproportionately targeted. Tzedek addresses the injustice, safeguarding the rights of DC residents, primarily from African American and Latino households, who have low incomes and face debt-related crises. Staff and partner lawyers provide free legal counsel and direct representation, helping to negotiate affordable payment plans, secure debt forgiveness, and obtain dismissals in cases of identity theft. Preventative education encourages residents to address financial problems head-on instead of fearing the system. And in partnership with legal aid and anti-poverty groups, Tzedek fights systemic injustice, working to reform local policy. Your support can mean the difference between financial crisis and economic stability. A worthy investment indeed.

human services

life skills, training, & employment
Two women and a man in a flower field observing a flower
Photographer Sharon Hallman, sharonhallmanphotography.com, Courtesy of Legacy Farms

legacy farms

Growing Together, the flagship program at Legacy Farms, is a mentor/apprentice program for neurodivergent youth in Loudoun and surrounding counties. They work in the garden and on project-based assignments, planting and tending the garden, harvesting, preparing products for sale, representing the organization at farmers markets, landscaping, installing school gardens, writing, photographing, and designing projects. All complete the 7-Step employment process (from application/ interview to performance review at season’s end) and move through the Train-to-Work program with a carefully defined set of skills that support them in progressing from beginning apprentices to advanced workers. All are supported by experienced, trained mentors who also provide self-regulating mindfulness practice. The goal is to reflect a real-world work experience, serve as a bridge between therapeutic programs and full employment, and help apprentices see their strengths as workers and proud, capable members of the community.
wish list $100: plant plugs, tubers,
bulbs, vegetable & floral starts; $500:
small tools (rakes, clippers, shovels,
shears, brooms); $2500: total cost to
train 1 garden apprentice for 1 season
Laurie Young,
Executive Director
PO Box 4499
Leesburg, VA 20177
Tel 571 969 4468
Learn More
Give Now
afrithrive
wish list $100: activity materials
for 50 children in the mentoring
program; $250: nutritious fruits &
vegetables for 150 families; $500:
organic compost for growing vegetables
Truphena Choti, PHD,
President & CEO
14030 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 6093
Silver Spring, MD 20916
Tel 240 273 8363
Learn More
Give Now
AfriThrive pairs food with critical services that empower underserved Black immigrant and refugee families. Through its two-acre community farm and partnerships with DC Central Kitchen, the County, local grocers, and farmers markets, AfriThrive sources locally grown, culturally appropriate fresh fruits and vegetables for weekly distribution to thousands of people. The youth engagement and life skills program offers study skills training, dropout prevention, and leadership development to youth who would otherwise be connected neither to school nor work. And because “it takes a village,” AfriThrive recruits employers, community organizations, local businesses, and training institutes to connect youth with employment opportunities. A new program trains unemployed and underemployed immigrant and refugee adults to become the next generation of hospitality/food industry leaders in African cuisine while providing an opportunity to learn – and celebrate – the stories and cultures of African people.
sunflower bakery
wish list $180: training supplies
for one student; $540: course
workbooks for a hospitality class cohort;
$1800: kitchen essential
toolkits for six pastry arts students
Jody Tick,
Executive Director
5951 Halpine Road
Rockville, MD 20851
Tel 240 361 3698
Learn More
Give Now
Sunflower provides skilled job training and employment opportunities to diverse young adults with learning differences. Pastry Arts students spend 26 weeks on professional instruction, employee development (resume writing, workplace communication, interviewing), SafeServe training, and employment matching. Thanks to career guidance and an extensive network of employer partners, more than 70% of graduates land a job within 12 months. A 26-week hospitality program exposes students to all front-of-house skills (customer service, communication, inventory and order processing) and to soft skills (goal setting, problem solving, dealing with setbacks). Paid internships put these new skills to use and job coaching services set participants on the road to success. New on the menu? Year-round shipping of Sunflower products, and shipping and packaging as additions to the curriculum. At Sunflower Bakery all persons, regardless of their differences, find opportunities to lead productive lives.
byte back
wish list $100: course materials in
digital literacy for 4 scholars; $500:
certification testing vouchers for 3
scholars; $1000: soft skills and
professional development for 5 scholars
Joe Paul, CEO
899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20002
Tel 202 846 6907
Learn More
Give Now
Technology plays an essential role in today’s workforce – yet thousands of DC-area residents lack even basic computer skills. Byte Back addresses this challenge and simultaneously combats poverty by providing historically excluded communities an equitable pathway into the digital economy and its living-wage careers. Through digital literacy classes, adult scholars learn the basics of how to navigate computers, the internet, email, Microsoft Office, and tools like telehealth and online banking. Free industry-recognized tech certification courses prepare them for careers in either information technology or business services. Certification graduates (70 last year) get the career support they need, including job search and softs skills assistance like interview prep, resume building, cover letter direction, Linkedin advice, internship placement, and employment assistance. Last year, 208 Byte Back scholars completed digital skills training and equipped themselves to enter the digital economy.

human services

life skills, training, & employment
two women posing with fresh baked bread

Courtesy of Together We Bake

together we bake
Underserved women facing barriers to employment – homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, recent immigration, domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse – find opportunity and community at Together We Bake. The innovative program revolves around a small baking business in which Team Members develop the skills and confidence to gain and sustain employment. They master skills in commercial food production and food safety, and in critical business administration. Participants learn soft skills – communication, teamwork, relationships – in personal empowerment and life skills groups. They also work with a trained, volunteer job counselor from the community to develop a meaningful career plan. TWB’s post-program support includes outreach, connections to livable wage employment, and access to critical resources through community partners. Alumni gatherings allow the women to maintain connections and support with their all-important TWB family
wish list $100: 1 week of lunches
for the team; $500: Guest Baker
supplies for special group sessions;
$5000: scholarship for 1 woman in
job training and personal development
Stephanie Wright,
Co-Founder & Executive Director
212 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel 703 973 8775
Learn More
Give Now
mission of love charities
wish list $100: metro transportation
for job interviews & doctors
appointments; $500: down payment
for a freezer; $1000: partial rent
for clients going into apartments
Deborah Martinez, CEO
6180 Old Central Avenue
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Tel 301 333 4440
Learn More
Give Now
Mission of Love helps people in urgent need; they are living at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, are experiencing homelessness, or are at risk of becoming homeless. For many, there is simply no other means of access to food, clothing, laundry, rental and utility assistance, furniture, computers, or referrals for primary, dental, and mental health care. A new priority is a program for people who lost their jobs during or because of the pandemic. Classes include basic job skills, computer and language skills, a class on coding, and classes leading to certification as a nursing assistant or OSHA construction inspector. Students who complete the courses have little or no trouble finding a job but demand has outstripped capacity. The Mission cultivates community partners in all of its work as it provides, trains, and advocates for its community.
juanita c grant foundation
wish list $100: 1 week of calls to
20 socially isolated adults; $500: 1
computer training session for 20 older
adults; $1000: 1 training session on
elder abuse & financial fraud for 54
S Orlene Grant,
President & CEO
9221 Hampton Overlook
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Tel 301 325 8850
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At town halls and roundtables, JCGF reframes aging, turning negative representations into positive ones of growth and achievement. A call program addresses social isolation, providing phone calls from trained volunteer ambassadors one to three times a week. Elder abuse and financial fraud prevention work brings expert panels to libraries and senior centers to educate seniors about scams that target them and to highlight the problem of potential abuse within extended families. A workforce initiative educates older adults about critical skill sets for the new hybrid work culture, the best format for successful online interviews, the way to reframe resumes to demonstrate life skills, and how to hone required computer skills. Throughout, advocacy and policy activities seek to eliminate the root causes of isolation, victimization, and economic instability and to empower elders as they embark on the next phase of their lives.
capital area asset building corporation
wish list $100: 1:1 savings account match; $500: 3:1 match for saving $150 in an emergency account; $7500: 5:1 match for saving $1500 toward a home purchase
Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz,
CEO & Executive Director
1100 15th Street NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Tel 202 419 1440 ext 102
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CAAB works with people living in “asset poverty” – no credit histories, no savings accounts. They are single mothers planning to buy their first homes, aspiring entrepreneurs working to launch a business, individuals hoping to rebuild their credit. Classes and coaching cover the basics: managing money, saving, investing, understanding credit scores and financial rights. Matched savings accounts help clients save toward their goals with matches ranging from 2:1 to 5:1 depending on the program. Direct cash transfers to individuals and families with low incomes ($827,918 in 2021) mean they can make decisions in their own best interests on the road to prosperity. CAAB also provides free tax preparation so that people from low- and moderate-income households (4,500 last year) can access the benefits to which they are entitled. In a vital community, everyone has incentives and opportunities to save for the future.

human services

community & civic engagement
Two people smiling  and holding a pride flag
the dc center for the lgbt community
wish list $100: supplementary food
pantry items; $500: 200 hygiene
kits for community members and
for distribution; $1000: training
for peer support group volunteers
Kimberley Bush,
Executive Director
2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105
Washington, DC 20002
Tel 202 682 2245
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Estimates suggest that there is a higher percentage of same-sex households in DC than anywhere in the country and the highest percentage of transgender residents as well. The DC Center provides 20 free peer support groups for people to share stories, explore their identities, and learn from each other’s experiences. It also offers mental health services for victims of violence and trauma: individual and couples therapy, and therapist-led groups for processing trauma, learning coping techniques, and exploring other ways to heal. Center Arts is home to the arts and culture programs – from LGBT film, literary, and theatre festivals to LGBT gallery exhibits (six of the seven most recent ones were by local BIPOC artists). Peer support, health and wellness, arts and culture, and smart referrals to other providers: the Center envisions communities where LGBT people are safe, supported, enriched, and affirmed.
youth activism project
wish list $100: 1-hour training
session for 100 activists; $500:
stipend for a year of activism outside
of YAP; $1000: youth intern to
lead 1 season of programming
Anika Manzoor,
Organizational Lead
4701 Sangamore Rd, Ste 100N, #2034
Bethesda, MD 20816
Tel 301 580 3902
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Focused on building the civic leadership of underserved and undervalued teens (70% of members are BIPOC teens and 95% are from marginalized backgrounds), YAP’s Activation Hub is an online community created and led by teens to help their peers build the skills and relationships they need to lead effective organizing campaigns. Members work with YAP to register, create, or join an existing campaign. They access online training in recruiting, public speaking, lobbying, generating publicity, applying for funding, and building a community of teens around the country and adults who will have their backs no matter what. The goal is to eliminate barriers to teen civic engagement, drive policy change, and spark lasting movements led by those traditionally excluded from power. YAP is building a world where young people’s voices, influence, and power are at the center of driving systemic change.
dctv – public access corporation of dc
wish list $100: a week of gas for a
production team; $500: tour for a
middle school class and recording of
student presentations; $1000: recording
and editing of a resident’s video
Nantz Rickard,
President & CEO
901 Newton Street NE
Washington, DC 20017
Tel 202 526 7007
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As DC’s only station devoted entirely to local programming, DCTV provides a platform that amplifies local voices across a wide range of issues. In what is now dubbed DCTV 2.0, the station is creating original programming as well. A new docuseries explores the state of early childhood education in DC and the first two seasons of “District Life” focus on local stories, highlight nonprofits, and showcase communities and individuals throughout the District. A capacity building program provides media instruction, video production, and storytelling training to nonprofits (over 100 in the last three years), and DCTV produces its own video content to showcase their work. DC residents also have access to the station’s television production studios, equipment, and editing suites so that they can create meaningful television content themselves – to tell their stories and share them with the community in which they live.

human services

community & civic engagement
A person riding a red bike
washington area bicyclist association
wish list $100: bicycle instruction
for 1 adult; $500: webinar series
on bike safety and repair; $1000:
advocacy training for 10 neighbors to
launch a neighborhood safety campaign
Ludwig P Gaines,
Executive Director
2599 Ontario Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel 202 518 0524
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Last year WABA taught 886 adults (average age 39) how to ride a bike, doubled the percentage of women bike commuters (a ten-year endeavor), and maintained 20 miles of urban trails. Its vision is a just and sustainable transportation system where biking, walking, and transit are the best ways to get around – advocating for better biking conditions inch by inch, driving legislative change at the state level, and working in neighborhoods to garner community support for safer streets and trails. The outreach and education team hits the road every day, educating drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages, and clearing the way (sometimes literally) for a smooth ride. The result? Safer streets for people to bike, walk, scoot, roll, and play so that, no matter where you live, you are connected to work, to home, and to the people you love.
multicultural community service
wish list $100: proficiency exam
for a budding community linguist;
$500: translations of vital documents
for an immigrant family; $1000:
Community Interpreter Training course
Adrienne Schreiber,
Executive Director
2437 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20018
Tel 202 552 7170
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MCS opens doors to civic engagement for DC-area residents with limited English proficiency, ensuring that, regardless of native language or cultural background, they can participate fully in the daily life of their communities. With interpretation and translation services in over 30 languages, from Amharic to Serbian to Urdu, it serves over 6,000 people annually. Through partnerships with nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses across the region, MCS provides everything from help for a Spanish-speaking father at a parent-teacher conference, to facilitation of a large-scale community event requiring simultaneous translation and interpretation in multiple languages. For bilingual residents, a 70-hour Community Interpreter Training equips participants with the skills to pursue careers in language services, at once strengthening DC’s workforce and increasing language access. A founding member of the DC Language Access Coalition, MCS bridges cultures and communities, giving voice to the voiceless.
district bridges
wish list $100: 1 month of fence
rental for a “streatery”; $500: Printed
decals to identify businesses as part
of the “Main Street” community;
$1000: a technical assistance business
Brianne Elise Dornbush, MS,
Executive Director
3400 11th St NW Ste 200
Washington, DC 20011
Tel 202 227 9559
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In 2019, Washington, DC was named the fastest gentrifying city in the country: residents and small businesses are being displaced and human connection is one of the casualties. District Bridges’ high-touch approach develops trusted relationships with business owners on each of its “Main Streets” – time spent learning about their challenges and goals and then working with them to support their survival and growth. What is good for local business is also good for the people who live, work, shop, and play in their neighborhoods. Residents and small businesses develop a sense of community and connection to place that is vital and mutually supportive. Now managing six of DC’s 28 Main Street programs, District Bridges supports community-based economic development, serving over 1,000 small businesses across Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 and providing residents, old and new, with an on-ramp to connection.