The Board designated November 11-18 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. | |
At Tuesday's meeting, the Board recognized the 25th Anniversary of the Providence Players, and designated November 11-18 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 13-19 as Transgender Awareness Week, and October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
I presented the following Board Matters:
The Board also took the following actions:
Providence District
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Approved the enlargement of Dunn Loring Area 1 Sanitary District for refuse/recycling collection services.
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Approved the acquisition of certain land rights necessary for the construction of Chain Bridge Road Walkway-Courthouse Road to Sutton Road.
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Approved amending the proffers and conceptual development plans for 2000 Corporate Ridge, previously approved for office development, to repurpose the existing building with Live/Work Units.
Countywide
- Approved a resolution supporting additional projects being submitted to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for FY 2024-29 funding consideration. Projects include:
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City of Falls Church Signal Prioritization Project - installation of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology, which will improve transit operations, encourage the use of multimodal travel options, and allow for greater reliability and improved travel times for transit service.
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The Board designated October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. | |
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My office is hosting our 4th Annual Food Drive through Thursday, November 16th. The collected items will benefit the Falls Church HS Pantry, the Oakton HS Pantry, the Woodson HS Pantry, and The Lamb Center.
Donations can be dropped off at the Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive) from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 10pm. You are also welcome to donate through their Amazon wish lists.
The holiday season is an especially busy time for food pantries, and we thank you in advance for your generosity. If you or your HOA/organization is interested in helping collect donations, please email Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov and we will be happy to coordinate with you.
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The Adopt-a-Family Program was developed to help children and families who are in need of clothing, food and toys for the holidays. Every fall the program begins taking donations to support families who are working with Fairfax County Department of Family Services, Children, Youth and Families Division. | | | |
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Here in Fairfax County, many of us have family and friends directly impacted by the events in the Middle East, or want to know how to do more. I have heard from many of you for recommendations on how to help. For those who want to give back and support direct humanitarian aid, below are two non-profit organizations providing assistance and resources directly to impacted families. I know there are more out there, but both have been recommended by Providence residents and have received high ratings.
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Anera has helped refugees and others hurt by conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. They work on the ground and mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development.
You can support Anera's work by donating, hosting your own fundraiser, volunteering, and more.
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has set up an Israel Crisis Relief Fund that will provide essential support for those in need, with aid distributed swiftly through their partners on the ground.
While the needs continue to evolve, your support ensures that the people of Israel can receive financial aid to address immediate needs, access temporary housing, long-term support and services, and more.
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Health and Human Services Updates | |
Energy Assistance Programs
The Fuel Assistance Program helps eligible households meet their energy needs by supplementing the cost associated with their primary heat source. Eligible households must meet income requirements. Applications are accepted through November 10th. Approved applicants will be notified of their benefit amount in late December. Payments begin in January and continue through April or until the benefit has been exhausted.
The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat or is in imminent danger of being without heat. Applications open on November 1st.
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Affordable Connectivity Program
The federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service. While Fairfax County is fortunate to be well connected to internet infrastructure such as broadband, there are still many people in our community who are not connected through hardware, software, or digital literacy skills.
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National Drug Take Back Day
National Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, October 28th. Safely dispose of your unused or expired medications at any of the locations below between 10am and 2pm:
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Tysons Emergency – 8240 Leesburg Pike, Vienna
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Fair Oaks District Station – 12300 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
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Mason District Station – 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale
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Sully District Station – 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly
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Mount Vernon District Station – 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria
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Reston Hospital Center – 1850 Town Center Parkway, Reston (Rear entrance of pavilion 1)
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Franconia District Station – 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria
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West Springfield District Station – 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield
This initiative, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, educates our community about the potential for abuse of prescription medications while providing a safe, convenient, and responsible means for disposing of unused and expired medication.
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LOVE at The PARC
Starting today, October 25th through November 1st, the LOVE sign will be at The PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). Stop by during the Fall Lounge, Halloween at The PARC in your costumes, or drop off items for the Providence Food Drive and take a picture in front of the LOVE sign while it's here.
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Accessing Attainable Housing in Tysons: An Interactive Workshop
Please join me, the Tysons Community Alliance, and many others for "Accessing Attainable Housing in Tysons" on Wednesday, November 8th at the Boro Station Conference Center. In this interactive workshop, we will learn about the people who work in Tysons and provide services to residents and visitors, the employers who struggle with the scarcity of workforce housing, the challenges that workers face in their attempts to live reasonably close to their workplaces, and housing goals and accomplishments to date.
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Entrepreneurship 101 Workshop
If you are thinking about starting a business, then Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is ready to assist you at the Entrepreneurship 101 (E-101) workshop on Tuesday, November 14th.
During this interactive workshop, you will hear from veteran and entrepreneur Donnell Johns talk about his journey of founding and growing Veterans Growing America, a social platform for veterans, military spouses, and their supporters to grow their own businesses. You will also hear from a panel of experts on registering your business, permitting requirements, business feasibility and business plan basics, business certifications, financing options, and government resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with the presenters and FCEDA staff.
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The Fairfax County School Board voted to proceed with the renaming process for W.T. Woodson High School. This kicks off a second round of public engagement focused on determining a new name for the school. The public is invited to share its input on suggested names by completing the online feedback form (until November 9th at noon).
Following this second round of public meetings, the School Board will take final action to officially rename the high school at its November 9 Business Meeting.
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Fairfax Recycles Day is November 15th. This year, the County's Solid Waste Management Program would like to recognize all who have participated in their 4Touch Points initiative with their licensed waste collectors and championing their partnership with the community and their commitment to recycling.
Please take the 2-minute survey below and share your experiences on recycling information you have received from your waste collector.
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An important goal of our community is to plant more native trees, and autumn is the best time to do that. Most of the places that need trees are on private property.
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The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) seeks an Executive Director who has a passion for local climate action and climate justice. The Executive Director will lead FACS's growing organization, and manage staff, volunteers, and the budget. Also, the Executive Director cultivates relations with elected leaders, faith communities, funders, and our active Board of Directors. | | | | | | |
