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September Appeal

Support our Mission



National Night Out

Community Lodgings

Back to School Drive

Mesavita Engineering Team

Spitfire Camp

The Spitfire Club

Alexandria Women for Good

Weekender Food Bags

Old Town Festival of Speed & Style

Presented by Burke & Herbert Bank

Become a Monthly Sustainer

Community Impact

Thank you to everyone who joined us for National Night Out last month! It was an evening filled with conversation, connection, laughter, and the opportunity to strengthen relationships with our neighbors and community partners.

National Night Out (NNO) 2026 was a momentous occasion for Community Lodgings. as it is the NNO with our current three buildings. Beginning late Fall/early Winter - in time for our 40th Anniversary as an organization - this property will undergo a significant redevelopment that includes 91 modern, one-, two-, and three-bedroom affordable apartments with an expected opening of late 2028.

We're grateful to have shared the evening alongside organizations and local businesses that are committed to making Alexandria a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, including the Department of Human Services – Office of Community Services, Alexandria Health Department, ALIVE, Silver Diner, DJ Maricela Aguilar, Florentina Lopez Vasquez with Artisanal Guatemalan Ice Cream, and New Brookside Apartments.

We also received a special visit from Chief Tarrick McGuire, Alexandria City Police, and Jim Parajon, City Manager, along with his staff and a member of the City Attorney’s Office!

Building thriving communities takes all of us. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, shared a conversation, and helped make the evening so meaningful!

Many Thanks to Erika Gaitan, Community Ambassador, and key leaders from the Chirilagua-Arlandria community for organizing this amazing celebration!

Redevelopment Information: A HOME in Alexandria Campaign

Call Lynn Thomas or Shelli Vasser Gilliam at 703-549-4407 to find out how you can support this pivotal affordable housing project.

Remember the excitement of Back-to-school? New school supplies, new clothes, seeing your friends again?

Well, back-to-school became a lot brighter for Community Lodgings' students and families thanks to our awesome friends at Mesavita Engineering!

Marissa Wilson Hall delivered loads of school supplies and items collected by the entire Mesavita Engineering team!

This collection is important to ensure that students start fully prepared and so that their families can concentrate on meeting other needs. Every item means one less worry for families as the new school year begins.

Many thanks to Marissa and the Mesavita Engineering team for showing up for our students and families year after year!

Look at these beautiful girls smile! Doesn't it fill your heart with joy!

These darling, young girls in our Youth Education Program experienced the magic of The Spitfire Club Summer Camp and we couldn't be more grateful for the long standing, close partnership that made it possible!

From registration to transportation, our team worked hand-in-hand with the Spitfire Club staff and camp organizers to make sure every girl who wanted to participate was able to do so. Literally getting them there was a team effort and it was worth every ounce of effort.

Thank you Leslie Figueroa at Spitfire for sharing these photos and Amanda Hazelwood Parker for launching and leading this amazing organization teaching empowerment, empathy, curiosity, confidence, and sharing the joy and importance of reading with young girls!

Thank you Alexandria Women for Good, for spotlighting our Weekender Food Bag program! Giving circles like Alexandria Women for Good are a driving force behind local nonprofits across our city. Their dedication turns small, simple actions into real impact for families right here in Alexandria.

Alexandria Women for Good is a giving circle that brings women together each quarter to network, donate, and learn about local nonprofits, pooling their collective giving to address critical needs and create a brighter future for individuals and communities across Alexandria.

"Point. Click. Magic!" makes it so easy to help: one click sends a snack bag straight to a student who needs it over the weekend.

Click above to browse the Amazon wishlist.

Community Lodgings is proud to be one of the 2026 charity partners of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style presented by Burke & Herbert Bank!

Thank you Old Town Festival of Speed & Style and Burke & Herbert Bank for the generous $20,000 donation toward our mission and work in Alexandria.

The impact of this gift significantly bolsters our programs as we continue restoring dignity, leading hardworking, low-income families toward stability and independence, and providing resources and supportive services through our housing and education programs.

Thank you for your community spirit and leadership!

We are grateful to celebrate and receive this blessing alongside ALIVE! and Breast Cancer Collective as charity partners!

Photo (right side, L to R): Rich Irons, Burke & Herbert Bank, Joe Collum, Burke & Herbert Bank,

Jason Yates, Yates Service, and Jane Petty, Burke & Herbert Bank

Photo credit: Lucelle O'Flaherty. The Zebra

Your Gift of Support

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Community Lodgings' Mission

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Deep Community Impact

Give a Monthly or Single Gift Today

Photo description: We extend heartfelt gratitude to Ms. LaNae W. for ensuring these precious girls experienced a first-time field trip to Plant House in June where they made these beautiful terrariums.

Consider your impact with the Monthly Sustainer gift option.

How many times do we purchase a breakfast sandwich, full breakfast, and/or coffee each month? Each time we do that, it could total $15+.

Make a positive impact on families every month with the same amount.

For $15/month ($180/year) - supports after-school education for 1 student.

For $25/month ($300/year), you can address food insecurity by providing 100 Weekender Food Bags for one week.

Gift-Giving Options

Online

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Personal Check

Qualifying Charitable Distribution (QCD)

Stock Transfer

Please mail DAFs, personal checks, QCDs to:

Community Lodgings, Attn: Shelli Vasser Gilliam

3912 Elbert Avenue, Suite #108, Alexandria, VA 22305

*Community Lodgings accepts stock transfers in cash or securities.* 



Email Shelli Vasser Gilliam, Director of Development 

at svgilliam@community-lodgings.org or call 703-549-4407 to receive more information for you and your Financial Advisor or Wealth Management Company. 

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