We recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Lynn Bergfalk, President of City Gate. We will feature an article in the next newsletter on their progress in implementing our high-impact tutoring grant. In the meantime, Dr. Bergfalk shared that they were looking for volunteer tutors to supplement their paid tutoring staff. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gabrielle Millner at gabrielle.millner@city-gate.org.

Generation Hope was one of our five finalists in 2021, and unsurprisingly, they've continued to deepen and expand their incredible impact since then.

Watch this segment on ABC news about one of their scholar alumnae, Nakwari.

Bridges to Independence, another one of our 2021 Finalists, recently appealed for mentors for the children they serve in Arlington. You can find out more about that by contacting Bridges directly:  volunteer@bridges2.org. They also post an "urgent wish list" for the families they serve, which ranges from food items to cleaning and ordinary household supplies. You can see their entire wish list here. Bridges accepts donations 24/7 at 3103 9th Road N, Arlington. Items may be left in the black bins by the back door. They ask that you not enter the shelter.

Membership profile by founding member Joan de Pontet

Talia is passionate about equitable access to health care and women’s health education and reproductive rights. Her attraction to Impact100 DC was immediate: “What is more powerful than a group of women in a room together.”

Talia grew up outside of Boston, the youngest of four children. Her siblings are 5+, 8 and 11 years older and have been inspiring role models in their fields of education, entrepreneurship and science. Brown University gave Talia a wonderful opportunity to create an independent course of study centered around nutrition, psychology and human development. The fact that she could design her own path was very instructive and liberating. Two years ago, following her graduation, Talia moved to DC which she finds a perfect combination of professional opportunity and feeling at home. 

In her work at Advocates for Justice and Education, Talia focuses on health access for children with disabilities. She is particularly interested in the social and cultural determinants of health and what “good health” means for each individual; she is deeply committed to health education, policy, and justice. She is currently transitioning over to The Guttmacher Institute, where she will be working on state-based policy for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). 

Talia’s involvement with Impact100 DC speaks well of its commitment to reach out to the community. Advocates for Justice and Education is an organization engaged in the work of social equity—work that Impact100 DC targets—and Talia heard about Impact100 from a co-worker. Looking at our website, Talia was immediately attracted by our mission and a community of women working to make change. Sharon Dennis (Grants Chair) let her know about Impact100 DC’s fellowship program and how to apply. She found the interview and acceptance process “transformational.” Impact100 created the opportunity for her to participate and for her to assist the organization in communications and recruitment immediately. 

“It was amazing," Talia said. "Impact100 was willing to invest in me, my voice was encouraged, and I am an equal member of the conversation. I am looking forward to the grant process.”