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Around Town: 7/30 – 8/5

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Monday, August 01, 2016

Computer CORE Volunteer Opportunities

CORE’s mission: To help low-income adults acquire the technological and life skills they need to pursue their career aspirations, by providing computer skills and job search skills training to over 200 under- and unemployed adults in the Northern Virginia region each year. Volunteers are at the heart of CORE’s mission. Volunteers help ensure that their students graduate with all the skills and tools they need for successful careers.

Want to help? Instructional Volunteer Team Opportunities
Time commitment required: 1 or 2 classes per week for 6 months; various days available
Locations: Alexandria, Baileys Crossroads, Fairfax, Falls Church, Gum Springs, Herndon and Sterling
- Lead Computer Instructor: Teach basic computing skills curriculum to 12 students and monitor their progress. Topics include, but are not limited to: email, Internet, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
- Computer Teaching Assistant: Assist the Lead Instructor in teaching basic computing skills curriculum to twelve students. Monitor their progress; ensure that students receive the individual attention needed to be successful; and assist with the completion of necessary administrative tasks. Topics include, but not limited to: email, Internet, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
- Career Development Instructor: Coach students on practical career and life skills in order to find new jobs, get promotions and/or enroll in further training/education. Teach skills such as resume writing, cover letter writing, goal-setting, planning, interviewing, and online searches.
You Don’t Have to Be a Teacher: More Volunteer Opportunities
- Saturday Morning Tutors (Baileys Crossroads Location): Assist students who need extra support, to make up an exam or a missed class, polish their resumes or simply to review challenging concepts.
- Events Ambassadors: Promote Computer CORE by becoming a speaker, staffing a booth or providing information for potential volunteers/donors at events throughout the greater DC area.

When: Mon Aug 1 2016 (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
Where: Northern Virginia (Various Locations); Office located at 5881 Leesburg Pike, STE 204, Falls Church, VA 22041
Fee? no
Contact: Eileen Joyner, (703) 931-7346

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Byte Back Volunteer Orientation

Join Byte Back for a one-hour orientation to introduce you to the organization, share volunteer opportunities, and find the match for your talents and availability.

When: Tue Aug 2 2016 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Where: Byte Back 9th Street, 3420 9th Street, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? no
Contact: Tamikia Wims, (202) 529-3395
For more information: click here

2016 Back-to-School Local Giving Guide

Draft School Supply Drive header

For many students, shopping for school supplies is an exciting time. Selecting a brand new backpack, the perfect notebook, and the right outfit for the first day of school are all things most of us remember fondly from our academic years. While an exciting time for students, back-to-school shopping can be a different experience for parents: between clothing, school supplies, and activities…costs add up quickly! According to the National Retail Federation’s annual Back-to-School Spending Survey, families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average $673.57 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies. With numbers like these, it’s no surprise that back-to-school shopping can be a source of major financial stress, especially for those families already struggling to cover basic needs such as food and housing.

While many may not be able to afford school supplies, these tools are still critically important when it comes to setting up a child for success. Providing a student with the proper supplies to learn not only boosts their confidence in the classroom, but also provides a sense of belonging, and can have a positive impact on reducing absenteeism.

Planning to do some back-to-school shopping? Or just want to make a difference in the life of a local student? The Catalogue for Philanthropy has created a comprehensive list of nonprofits in need of supplies to help prepare local students for success. Some of these organizations have specific needs for Fall 2016, others have ongoing needs throughout the school year, and most have wishlists on Amazon.com, making it easy for you to give with a single click.

Happy shopping!


Fall 2016 School Supply Collection

Horton's Kids

  • Horton’s Kids (Washington, DC) is committed to ensuring that every child in the program starts school prepared and ready to learn. They need 150 durable backpacks, including 30 backpacks for children in grades K-4, and 120 backpacks or messenger-style bags for children in grades 5 – 12, as well as school supplies. All supplies are needed by July 29th.Click for more details.
  • Britepaths (formerly Our Daily Bread) (Fairfax) is helping children in Fairfax County through the Collect for Kids Back to School Program, which is part of a County-wide effort to ensure that children in the community whose families are struggling receive the supplies they need to succeed. Britepaths is working to help more than 2,500 students in Central Fairfax — primarily at JEB Stuart HS, Fairfax HS and the elementary and middle schools that feed into them — have everything they need to succeed this fall. Donors can give in the following ways:
      • Donate Cash: DONATE through August 31! $30 will help 2 students. Any amount will make a big difference.
      • Donate Backpacks: July 1-Aug. 5:Larger sizes especially needed.Drop Off or Order on-line through Amazon or Dollar Days.
      • Donate Calculators: July 1- Aug. 5: TI30xa Solar School Edition, TI-83 or TI-84, new or gently used. Drop Off for Order on-line through Amazon.

The Child & Family Network Center

  • The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) (Alexandria) invites you to invest in brighter futures for Alexandria children by collecting school supplies for one of their 8 classrooms. Click for details and a link to the supplies needed.
    • Note: CFNC is also looking for corporations interested in their “Adopt-a-Classroom” initiative. Adopt-a-Classroom helps provide books, school supplies, food, and basic healthcare to one classroom. You assist in funding teacher and school staff salaries and empower students and their families to be the best they can be.
      CFNC has eight classrooms and therefor only eight opportunities for corporations to sponsor a classroom – they will send you quarterly updates and photos of the class and children you have sponsored. Visit this site for more information.
  • Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services Children’s Resource Program (Alexandria) helps ensure that children in their housing programs do not miss out on critical after-school and extracurricular enrichment activities simply because their families are low income. This long standing program provides our children with school supplies, holiday gifts, access to summer camps, music lessons, and winter coats. GSH even sends children to local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs to encourage their education in science and math. Support their annual school supply drive, or shop their Amazon.com wishlist here.
  • Hope House DC (Washington, DC)For children whose fathers are incarcerated, displacement often has grave consequences. Contact may be lost, family structure weakened, and reintegration of released fathers made difficult indeed. Enter Hope House, whose dream is to reconnect fathers and kids.On August 28th, Hope House will host a back to school party. Each Hope House Kid who attends receives a backpack stuffed with school supplies. Items needed include: composition books, dictionaries, highlighters, binders, calculators…and more. See details here.
  • New Community for Children (Washington, DC) transforms the lives of children and youth by supporting academic achievement, developing life skills, fostering creativity and cultural awareness, nurturing spiritual connections and growth, and empowering children to succeed. It is currently in need of a number of educational items such as digital cameras, printer ink, school furniture, and more.

Reading Partners

  • Reading Partners (Washington, DC) is in need of help filling their reading centers with diverse books through September 30th, 2016. Many students bring up issues of race when working with their tutors. From discussing their identities to understanding those of the characters they are reading about, it is clear that diversity in texts is of the utmost importance to support our students. From this point on, Reading Partners is asking supporters to help collect books specifically featuring girls of color, with the philosophy that resources should be available in order to have intentional conversations about race. By providing books in reading centers that can help tutors affirm positive thinking and behavior when it comes to race, literacy can be used to inspire confidence in students who need it most. Donors can view book requests here.

San Miguel School

  • San Miguel School (Washington, DC) is a middle school, dedicated to transforming lives for academically underserved and economically disadvantaged boys in the Washington, DC, metro area. Immediate needs for the 2016-17 school year include: art supplies (modeling clay, canvases, etc.), magnetic algebra tiles, audio books/cds, markers, etc. See the full list and Amazon wishlist here.

Ongoing Supply Collections: Art and Music Supplies

art enables

  • Sitar Arts Center (Washington, DC)Donations of new or gently used arts materials and instruments help to make programs affordable for children from low-income households. Sitar appreciates donations of musical instruments, art supplies, dance shoes and clothing, photography equipment and supplies, sewing machines and sewing supplies, knitting supplies, prom dresses needed for West Side Story musical! Details here.

 

Ongoing Supply Collections: Sporting Equipment

City Kids Wilderness Project

  • City Kids Wilderness Project (Washington, DC) was founded on the belief that providing enriching life experiences for under-resourced DC children can enhance their lives, the lives of their families and the greater community. CityKids is always in need of the following new or nearly new items: Tents (2-4 person backpacking tents), sleeping bags (backpacking weight), balls: soccer, football, kickball, etc., rain gear: pants, jackets, and ponchos, digital cameras, and more. They also have a City Kids REI Gift Registry!
  • DC SCORES (Washington, DC) believes that every child deserves a “team,” and gets the rich, full childhood that he or she deserves. DC SCORES’ innovative model combines poetry and spoken word (developing an individual voice and sharing personal stories is key to knowing who you are), soccer (kids need more exercise than they get, and the skills and teamwork are fun), and service-learning (because our communities are the big teams to which we all belong).DC SCORES will accept gently used soccer gear, appropriately sized for kids 8-13 years old. Donation details here.

Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena

  • Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena (Washington, DC) – Most of the equipment skaters use have been donated by other skaters in the area. FFDIA is always in need of gently used, mid/intermediate level figure, hockey and speed skating equipment in good condition. No hockey jerseys, please.To donate equipment drop it off at Fort Dupont Ice Arena at your convenience. To arrange a pickup of large quantities of equipment, email info@fdia.org.

 

Ongoing Supply Collections

Bright Beginnings

  • Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center (Falls Church, VA) provides a comprehensive, high-quality, early-childhood program designed to give all young children, regardless of their family’s economic resources, a strong foundation on which to build the rest of their lives. FCMLCC is currently looking for donors to help “set their children’s inner artist free” with the raw materials on their Wish List.

Generation Hope

  • Generation Hope (Washington, DC) is the only community-based nonprofit organization solely focused on college completion for teen parents in the D.C. area. Help these students follow the path to success with the following items: laptops for Scholars (can be used), stamps for mailings, gift cards to Target, Staples, etc. and more.

Inner City-Inner Child

  • The Reading Connection (Arlington, VA) creates and sustains literacy-rich environments and motivation for reading among low-income children and their families. TRC is in need of new books for children in the Read Aloud program. At every Read-Aloud, children choose one or two books to take with them, and TRC is always working to keep the Give-Away Boxes stocked with books that match the interests of the children served. Click to see the titles of books on childrens’ wishlists, or to find how to donate new books to the program.
  • Washington Jesuit Academy (Washington, DC) is a college-prep middle school for boys in 5th through 8th grades in Washington, DC. With a 12-hour school day, 11-month school year and aggressive academic curriculum, WJA prepares students for the opportunities and challenges of college-prep high schools and sets them on an early path toward college. WJA accepts certain, gently-used supplies and goods, as well as pro bono service and talent. Visit their Amazon Wish List or contact us for gift ideas.

Washington School for Girls

  • Washington School for Girls (Washington, DC) is an all-scholarship independent Catholic School serving students in grades 3-8, primarily from DC’s Wards 7 and 8. By offering a comprehensive academic program in a supportive environment, students become confident, competent, and courageous young women. WSG accepts donations of supplies, equipment, and services when appropriate, and also has an ongoing Amazon.com wishlist for books.
  • YouthBuild Public Charter School (Washington, DC) is a public charter school that was established in 2005 as an outgrowth of an effective program begun in 1995 by the Latin American Youth Center. It is one of the few alternative schools in the District that serves youth ages 16 -24 who have dropped or aged out of traditional high schools. Gifts of tangible personal property including professional dress clothing for students, computer equipment, books etc. are needed and welcomed donations.

Around Town: 7/23 – 7/29

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Saturday, July 23, 2016

Jesus Christ Superstar with The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts

Theatre Lab’s summer Musical Theatre Institute for Teens presents the original rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. This all-time musical theatre classic examines the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and features one of the most explosive musical theatre scores ever written. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, it presents Jesus as a social and political rebel, and draws parallels between his meteoric rise and our contemporary culture of celebrity worship. Jesus Christ Superstar was revolutionary in its time and it continues to resonate powerfully with audiences through Tony-nominated Broadway revivals and major world tours. Please Note: This play contains mature themes and language that may not be suitable for children. The evening performance is a benefit for Theatre Lab’s annual Send a Kid to Drama Camp campaign, to benefit youth scholarships. Tickets for that evening include a reception after the show.

Update: Tickets to the performance are sold out, but Theatre Lab is also accepting donations to Send a Kid to Drama Camp in lieu of attendance!

When: Sat Jul 23 2016 (Matinee: 2:00 PM – 3:45 PM, Evening: 7:30-9:45 PM)
Where: The Theatre Lab, 733 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Fee? yes $15 adults. $10 students (with ID)
Volunteer Info: Also looking for house staff volunteers to serve as ushers, concession sales, etc.
Contact: Dane Petersen, (202) 824-0449
For more information: click here

Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29, 2016

Kids R First School Supply Distribution 2016

Kids R First is distributing school supplies for the school year 2016-17 to 27,000 students in 100 schools on the Free or Reduced lunch program in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. They would love your help gathering and organizing the supplies for each school. So many of you have been their loyal helpers and they appreciate that so very much. They always welcome anyone new who would like to sign up. Looking forward to seeing you all this year! Shifts are from 9-12 and 1-4 (please don’t feel you need to do all three hours because they would love the help as long as you can stay).

When: Mon Jul 25 – Fri Jul 29 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Rachel Carson Middle School, 13618 McLearen Rd., Herndon, VA
Fee? no
Contact: Patty Gehring, 703-850-3639
For more information: Click here

Around Town: 7/16-7/22

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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Acumen Solutions Concert for a Cause with Young Playwrights’ Theater and Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia

Girls on the Run of NOVA and Young Playwrights’ Theater are excited to partner with Acumen Solutions for their first ever Concert for a Cause! This inaugural benefit concert will unite music lovers of all kinds to help raise much-needed funds and awareness for these and 11 additional local area nonprofits. Located in historic downtown Herndon, the family friendly concert will feature music by Rocknoceros, Gonzo’s Nose, High Valley, and Cassadee Pope along with food, beverages, and children’s activities. Schedule of Events: 3:30pm Gates Open, 4:10pm – Children’s Entertainment: Rocknoceros, 5:30pm – Local Artist: Gonzo’s Nose, 6:50pm – National Artist: High Valley, 8:15pm – Headliner Artist: Cassadee Pope, 10:00pm – Gates Close. (Schedule subject to change)
We believe music brings people together and hope you will join us in making a difference for those in need by attending this extraordinary summer event. For every ticket purchased, 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards making an impact in our community. They hope to see you there!

When: Sun Jul 17 2016 (3:30 PM – 10:00 PM)
Where: Town Hall Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon, VA 20170
Fee? yes $40 for adults, $20 for children 2-12, free for children under 2
YPT Contact: Laura Wood, (202) 387-9173
GOTR NOVA Contact: Emily Davis, (703) 273-3153
For more information: click here

Thursday, July 21, 2016 – Friday, July 22, 2016

Jesus Christ Superstar with The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts

Theatre Lab’s summer Musical Theatre Institute for Teens presents the original rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. This all-time musical theatre classic examines the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and features one of the most explosive musical theatre scores ever written. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, it presents Jesus as a social and political rebel, and draws parallels between his meteoric rise and our contemporary culture of celebrity worship. Jesus Christ Superstar was revolutionary in its time and it continues to resonate powerfully with audiences through Tony-nominated Broadway revivals and major world tours. Please Note: This play contains mature themes and language that may not be suitable for children.

When: Thu Jul 21 2016 (7:30 PM – 9:15 PM), Fri Jul 22 2016 (7:30 PM – 9:15 PM)
Where: The Theatre Lab, 733 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Fee? yes $15 adults. $10 students (with ID)
Volunteer Info: Also looking for house staff volunteers to serve as ushers, concession sales, etc.
Contact: Dane Petersen, (202) 824-0449
For more information: click here

Around Town: 7/9-7/15

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Monday, July 11, 2016

Orientation for Overnight Volunteers with Calvary Women’s Services

Overnight volunteers pair up with a Calvary staff member to guarantee a smooth and quiet night. Volunteers arrive at 9 pm and are responsible for setting out breakfast, welcoming residents arriving late from work or school, and doing a final walk-through of the facility. In the morning, volunteers facilitate breakfast for residents and make sure clients are up and ready for the day before heading out at 7 am. Volunteers are asked to commit to joining Calvary on site one night a month. They will be holding an orientation for anyone interested in joining their overnight team on July 11th from 1:30-4 pm. If this time does not work for you, contact Arielle Baker (abaker@calvaryservices.org) for additional orientation times.

When: Mon Jul 11 2016 (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Calvary Women’s Services, 1217 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, DC 20020
Fee? no
Contact: Arielle Baker, (202) 6782341678-2341 ext 233

 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Byte Back Volunteer Orientation

Join Byte Back for a one-hour orientation to introduce you to the organization, share volunteer opportunities, and find the match for your talents and availability.

When: Tue Jul 12 2016 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Where: Byte Back, 9th Street, 3420 9th Street, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? no
Contact: Tamikia Wims, (202) 529-3395
For more information: click here

 

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Digital Access Tour with Byte Back

Byte Back’s Digital Access Tours are an opportunity to experience their mission firsthand, hearing more about their programs and work. You will meet members of their staff, board, and student body. The tour lasts one hour and refreshments are served.

When: Wed Jul 13 2016 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM)
Where: Byte Back, 9th Street, 3420 9th Street, Washington, DC 20017
Fee? no
Contact: Christopher Wallace, (202) 803-2863
For more information: click here