We strongly believe that all children in our community need a positive outlet to freely express themselves. Community Lodgings provides just that through our Boys’ and Girls’ Mentoring Program. In efforts to create a safe space for at-risk teens to learn and grow with the guidance of trusted adult role models, our Mentoring Program strives […]
Reflections on Gratitude, Service: Words from a Community Lodgings Volunteer
As the holiday season nears, many of us prepare for the traditions we’ve grown to love. Whether it be spending the entire day cooking with your family on Thanksgiving, decorating gingerbread houses with friends, or even just sharing stories around the fire on a chilly day–the season is filled with reasons to smile. However, these holiday […]
BB&T Lighthouse Project: providing kids with emergency food in a time of need
Spring Break is meant to be a fun time for students to kick back and relax… but that’s hard to do when you don’t have enough to eat. For the families in our housing and education programs, Spring Break can be a challenge, because most of the kids in these programs normally receive free or reduced-price lunches […]
Volunteers: the Question and Answer to Our Success
When you hear the word “volunteer,” what do you immediately think of? Event organizers in neon shirts or running around with clipboards? Folks in aprons and hairnets ladling soup? People sitting at desks, stuffing envelopes and making cheerful-sounding phone calls? If any of these images sprang to your mind– among many, MANY more– you’d be right. […]
From Ziplining to Graduation: A Mentor’s Perspective on the Girls’ Mentoring Program
By Stephanie Hemmert, Girls’ Mentor A little over five years ago, I walked into an Alexandria City Volunteer Information Session knowing I wanted to help in some way and do something, but I wasn’t sure what. I had participated in some literacy tutoring a few years before that, and was looking to get back to […]
Saturday Academy: helping kids succeed on the SOLs
Did you know that, according to data released by the Virginia Department of Education, Alexandria middle schoolers struggled to pass their Math and Science SOLs last year? Although some students’ scores have increased in certain subject areas, Math and Science still continue to trip up many Alexandrian kids, with more than a quarter of 8th graders failing […]
Community Lodgings Featured in the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force Newsletter
What do the boys in our mentoring program REALLY think about their mentors? Turn to page 3 of the summer issue of the City of Alexandria’s Gang Prevention Community Task Force Newsletter to find out!
The Accidental Mentor
Mentoring a teenage girl was the last thing on Dana Gilbertson’s mind in 2013 when she visited Community Lodgings, an Alexandria nonprofit that offers transitional and affordable housing and youth education to low-income, predominantly Latino families. Find out how Dana’s visit led to her to meet Hennesy and their special bond in this Alexandria Gazette Packet article, […]
Volunteers Chip in at Community Lodgings
http://patch.com/virginia/delray/volunteers-chip-in-at-community-lodgings