Who is Jennifer Ferrara’s Favorite Community Lodgings Employee? *Editor’s note: At the time this interview was conducted, Ms. Ferrara was with BB&T. She has since taken a position with M&T Bank as Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager and she remains very active in social justice causes in Alexandria. Jennifer Ferrara is the Vice […]
youth education
Ambassador Reflections: 10 Questions with a Community Lodgings Mother – Reina Martinez
Ten Questions with a Community Lodgings Mother – Reina Martinez By Josue Martinez Josue Martinez, an eighth-grader in Community Lodgings’ after school program, recently completed a short course on how to conduct interviews. For his final project, Josue interviewed his mother about Community Lodgings. He introduced himself, explained the purpose of the interview, created open […]
Ambassador Reflections: Eight Questions with Karina Wiggs
Eight Questions with Karina Wiggs, Community Lodgings’ Director of Operations Karina Wiggs joined Community Lodgings’ staff in November of 1998 – nearly 20 years ago! Find out how Community Lodgings helped Karina find her true passion, and who she wants to be when she grows up. What attracted you to Community Lodgings? I needed a […]
Ambassador Reflections: 10 Questions with a Community Lodgings Mom
Ten Questions with a Community Lodgings Mom Maria Romero’s daughter Jennesy Perdomo-Romero is in third grade and has been enrolled in Community Lodgings’ youth education program, which offers after school homework support and summer program, for three years. Maria shared how the Community Lodgings staff has helped Jennesy, and Maria’s entire family. How did you […]
Ambassador Reflections: John Taylor Chapman on Community Lodgings
Six Great Quotes from John Chapman about Community Lodgings City Councilman John Chapman first heard of Community Lodgings when he was a child growing up in public housing in Alexandria. He was re-introduced to them when he was employed as a paraprofessional instructor, or a teacher’s aide, at Alexandria City Public School’s (ACPS) George Washington […]
Ambassador Reflections: A Conversation with Gezae Berhane
A Conversation with Gezae Berhane by Joy Loving Gezae Berhane is a former participant in Community Lodgings’ youth education program. He was featured in a video that shown during our fall fundraising breakfast. I recently spoke with Gezae about his experience with the youth program and his favorite Community Lodgings memories. How long were you […]
Ambassador Reflections: Karma Yoga for Community Lodgings
Karma Yoga for Community Lodgings Sara Vandergroot, co-owner of Mind the Mat in Del Ray, never planned to be a yoga instructor and massage therapist. She had taught English in South America for two years after college, then studied law at the Marshall–Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, […]
Ambassador Reflections: Tommy Park
Soccer and Philanthropy: An Interview with Tommy Park by Joy Loving Tommy Park is the executive director of the Alexandria Soccer Association, one of Community Lodgings’ most interactive partners. Tommy shared what attracted him to Community Lodgings and why he thinks our programs have improved the community. How long have you run the Alexandria Soccer […]
Ambassador Reflections: 5 questions with Jesse Strauss
Five Questions with Jesse Medalia Strauss Jesse Medalia Strauss is the co-founder of Forward Frame Media, a full-service videography company that advocates for progressive social change through visual storytelling. He has produced Community Lodgings’ videos since 2015. What attracted you to Community Lodgings? I was just starting out as a freelance videographer and I saw […]
Ambassador Reflections: The Power of Literature… and Generosity
Community Lodgings’ Love of Literature By Jennifer Kenealy Co-Creator, InspireLit Building bridges between resources and needs to inspire and support kids Alexandria should be proud to have a place like Community Lodgings in their neighborhood. It represents what can happen when dedicated people collaborate to solve problems. Community Lodgings not only addresses housing […]