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Community Connections E-Newsletter                                                     
MARCH 2017
Smiles of Relief
Dentists
Have you suffered through a painful toothache or emergency root canal? Or have you ever had to wait a few days to get an appointment for some relief? Now imagine you were in terrible pain so you couldn't sleep or relax, had no insurance, and worried you couldn't afford to see a dentist.  Read more...
 
Empowering Immigrant Families

A Caring Community of Support
ESL Class "For working immigrant and refugee populations, the challenge is finding the time and energy to commit to attending ESL classes and doing the work," says Cristina Schoendorf, UCM Director at Progreso Center for Literacy and Citizenship. "Our program has to identify and factor in potential barriers that may affect both student and program outcomes. Obstacles can vary from student to student, as well as external factors in the community at large. We can't control the barriers, but we can control how they are addressed and monitored."  Read more...
 
Join us Gala 2017

Join us May 6 as we celebrate Honorary Co-Chair Gerry Hyland, Former Supervisor, Mount Vernon District Fairfax County, with the inaugural Gerald W. Hyland Humanitarian Award.  Event Emcee: David Culver, NBC4 News4 Reporter.

Reserve your seats now: $175 per person; $125 under age 40.

Purchase a $25 Raffle ticket to win all-inclusive Cancun Resort Trip,valued at $9400! Only 600 tickets will be sold, and you need not be present to win!

Thank you to our generous event sponsors -- opportunities still available!
 
DYK
Books and Reading Help Kids Thrive
BEL Center Kids Reading
March is Reading Awareness Month
March is a great time to celebrate the joy of books and reading. As Jackie Kennedy once said: "There are many ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."  Why are books important, and how can you help accelerate children's interest in reading and literacy?  Read more...
 
Moving Families Toward Stability

#SocialWorkersStandUp Social Workers Stand Up
March is also National Social Work Month -- a time to celebrate the important work that social services professionals do to break the generational cycle of poverty. "Social workers find hope in hopeless situations. They find solutions.They believe in the basic humanity of individuals   Read more...
 
Community Partner Spotlight:
SOUPer Saturday Ceramic Artists

Souper Saturday
The annual SOUPer Saturday fundraiser was held at the Torpedo Factor Art Center on Feb. 18, organized for the 25th year by generous talented ceramic artists. Since the event's inception, hosted initially as the Hollin Hills Potters, the artists have raised more than $60,000 for neighbors in need.  Read more...
 
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
Mar. 25 Free Veggies Distribution

Mar. 31 - Gala Sponsorships deadline (for ad in program)

Mar. 31 - Annual Spaghetti Dinner, Saint Luke's Church

Apr. 6 - UCM Benefit Day at zpizza Alexandria

Apr. 10 - Free Financial Counseling Clinic at UCM, 6 pm



May 13 - 25th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

May 19 - Valencourt Scholarship applications due

Jun. 6 - Red, White & Tuna at Little Theatre of Alexandria

Jun. 17 - UCM Benefit Day at Fair Trade Winds (online all weekend)